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swordtart · 02-16-2016, 06:07 AM

Consider a counter case.

If I buy 4 sets of extra cells using your argument
For a 1 space plant they will:

Cost the same as fitting a second identical plant.
Weight the same as fitting a second identical plant.
Take up 4 times the space as fitting a second identical plant.
Have only 2 more DPs than a second plant (assuming you use the same rounding up rule for every set of cells you buy - otherwise it only gives 1 extra DP).
Of course you will get twice the PUs of a second plant, but is this worth the space pain?

I suggest you are over-thinking the Laser Battery comparison. Before it was introduced people just used the small cycle plant (just as they used an extra plant before extra cells were introduced).

It had a slight advantage on introduction and is still better than a plant if you need about 100 PUs (which equates to quite a large magazine comapred to a conventional weapon). It is a niche product for a niche area. It was designed to allow pedestian lasers to fire and to prevent abuse from gas plant users. It didn't have to be particularly efficient for those purposes.

Once you want to power many lasers it should make sense that a proper plant is appropriate. When you use your laptop for an extended period you plug it in, if you want more than a few hours of light, you buy a generator, not dozens of extra batteries.

To get the same performance as a laser battery using a plant and extra cells would cost and weigh 50% more than a small cycle plant, take up twice the space and give you the same PUs (but would cost 3 times as much to recharge which is the real disadvantage). Beyond that point extra cells become more efficient but why should it not be?

02-16-2016, 06:07 AM	#39
swordtart Join Date: Jun 2008	Re: Combat Garage Update Consider a counter case. If I buy 4 sets of extra cells using your argument For a 1 space plant they will: Cost the same as fitting a second identical plant. Weight the same as fitting a second identical plant. Take up 4 times the space as fitting a second identical plant. Have only 2 more DPs than a second plant (assuming you use the same rounding up rule for every set of cells you buy - otherwise it only gives 1 extra DP). Of course you will get twice the PUs of a second plant, but is this worth the space pain? I suggest you are over-thinking the Laser Battery comparison. Before it was introduced people just used the small cycle plant (just as they used an extra plant before extra cells were introduced). It had a slight advantage on introduction and is still better than a plant if you need about 100 PUs (which equates to quite a large magazine comapred to a conventional weapon). It is a niche product for a niche area. It was designed to allow pedestian lasers to fire and to prevent abuse from gas plant users. It didn't have to be particularly efficient for those purposes. Once you want to power many lasers it should make sense that a proper plant is appropriate. When you use your laptop for an extended period you plug it in, if you want more than a few hours of light, you buy a generator, not dozens of extra batteries. To get the same performance as a laser battery using a plant and extra cells would cost and weigh 50% more than a small cycle plant, take up twice the space and give you the same PUs (but would cost 3 times as much to recharge which is the real disadvantage). Beyond that point extra cells become more efficient but why should it not be?