How Many PB-NUK generators do I need for a RA-100 Relay in a 50Gm orbit over Kerbol?

[Duke Leto]

This ain't really explained really well in the tutorials on CommNet on the wiki.

It says you need 3 gigantor solar relays near Kerbin, presumably because 3 x 23 charge per s per gigantor is > 6 charge per Mits x 11.43 Mits per s.  But the relays only draw power when transmitting.

You presumably need 12 gigantors at 25 Gm and 48 at 50 Gm, and 48 isn't practical.

Getting enough PB-NUKs to generate 69 charge per s is equally impractical and absurdly expensive.  Can I just get around the requirement by spamming the relay sat with batteries?

[AHHans]

CommNet relays don't consume electricity. So you only need enough generation capacity to get it into position (and then have some ECs to spare). I personally would add enough generation capacity to keep the probe core powered and to recharge the batteries over time. So one RTG is plenty and there is no need to spam batteries.

[Duke Leto]

2 hours ago, AHHans said:

CommNet relays don't consume electricity. So you only need enough generation capacity to get it into position (and then have some ECs to spare). I personally would add enough generation capacity to keep the probe core powered and to recharge the batteries over time. So one RTG is plenty and there is no need to spam batteries.

I guess someone, by which of course I mean me, should go and correct the wiki guide I linked...

[AHHans]

4 minutes ago, Duke Leto said:

I guess someone, by which of course I mean me, should go and correct the wiki guide I linked...

Well, that guide is so over the top that I never bothered trying to figure out how to "correct" it. (I never felt the need to have such a massive relay network!)

[Duke Leto]

Then I shall take your example and make indolence my watchword!  Thank you, sir.