Electric Engine Development

[dans6887]

I am trying to develop my own mod with electric engines. My engines are meant to run solely on electric charge. The models and textures work just fine but when I go to launch nothing happens when I right-click on my engine is says "flameout: electric charge depleted". I know there is something not right in the config file but I don't know what it is. Anybody out there good at programming that can help me? The config data is listed below.

PART

{

name = zapperEngine

module = Part

author = Daniel Scott

mesh = model.mu

scale = 1

rescaleFactor = .50

node_stack_top = 0.0, 2.2, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -2.2, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0, 1

fx_exhaustFlame_blue = 0.0, -2.5, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

fx_exhaustLight_blue = 0.0, -2.5, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, running

fx_smokeTrail_light = 0.0, -2.5, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

fx_exhaustSparks_flameout = 0.0, -2.5, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, flameout

sound_vent_medium = engage

sound_rocket_hard = running

sound_vent_soft = disengage

sound_explosion_low = flameout

TechRequired = basicRocketry

entryCost = 16800

cost = 80

category = Engine

subcategory = 0

title = HERMEs 1.02.01 "Zapper" Electric Rocket Engine

manufacturer = Hadron Electric Rocket Enterprises

description = By generating a strong magnetic field coupled with a repulsor. This engine has virtually no exhaust. Remember to bring enough batteries and solar panels.

attachRules = 1,1,1,1,0

mass = 0.25

dragModelType = default

maximum_drag = 0.2

minimum_drag = 0.2

angularDrag = 2

crashTolerance = 10

maxTemp = 2000 // = 3600

bulkheadProfiles = size0

MODULE

{

name = ModuleEngines

thrustVectorTransformName = thrustTransform

exhaustDamage = False

ignitionThreshold = 0.1

minThrust = 0

maxThrust = 500

heatProduction = 0

EngineType = Electric

PROPELLANT

{

name = ElectricCharge

ratio = 1.0

DrawGauge = True

}

atmosphereCurve

{

key = 0 500

}

}

MODULE

{

name = FXModuleAnimateThrottle

animationName = colorAnimation

dependOnEngineState = True

responseSpeed = 0.5

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleTestSubject

environments = 15

useStaging = True

useEvent = True

}

}

[goldenpeach]

Ok, I know it will sound stupid but.... Are you sure you have enough electricity on your craft to run the engine?

Spam a LOT of RTG, until you can be sure you have more than enough electricity to run one of the engine and do the test again

[Mecripp]

Did you look at your part in VAB and see how much electricity per second is need to run it ? As electricity doesn't have and density IMO it would be best to make your own fuel and give it alittle density and a converter to do a 1 to 1 electricity to your fuel.

[NathanKell]

At least one of your PROPELLANTs must have nonzero mass. Thrust = massflow * Isp * 9.80665, if mass flow is 0, no thrust.

This is usually done by making the engine generate a dummy resource which it then consumes.

[FreeThinker]

If you want to make it run on nothing, you might want to generate your propellant from nothing, like it is done in KSPI for the Quantum Vacuum thruster, which creates a small reservoir of Quantum Vacuum which has mass.

[dans6887]

At least one of your PROPELLANTs must have nonzero mass. Thrust = massflow * Isp * 9.80665, if mass flow is 0, no thrust.

This is usually done by making the engine generate a dummy resource which it then consumes.

Where in the cfg file do I look to make sure of that?

[dans6887]

I know there is enough electric charge because i put on enough batteries for 12000 units of electricity. Its just not getting to the engine. But If I add Xenon gas to the list of engine propellants, the engine fires. and both electricity and xenon are consumed. However I still get no thrust and no "fire" from the bottom of the engine. If I release from the launch clamps, the ship falls and explodes. My thrust is set for 800 and my ISP is 15000 both in vac and atmo. Fuel ratios are both set to 0.001. I have also given the engine the alternator module so it can generate its own electric charge. My other problem aside from the thrust is the flame effect does not show up on the tail end of the engine. I get the sounds but no visuals. I have tried adjusting the position, but still nothing. My cfg code is below.

PART

{

name = zapperEngine

module = Part

author = Daniel Scott

mesh = model.mu

rescaleFactor = 0.5

node_stack_top = 0.0, 2.2, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 2

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -2.1, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0, 2

fx_exhaustFlame_blue_small = 0.0, -0.8, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

fx_exhaustLight_blue = 0.0, -0.8, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, running

fx_smokeTrail_light = 0.0, -1.3, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

sound_vent_medium = engage

sound_rocket_hard = running

sound_vent_soft = disengage

sound_explosion_low = flameout

TechRequired = basicRocketry

entryCost = 4200

cost = 100

category = Engine

subcategory = 0

title = HERMEs 1.02.01 "Zapper" Electric Rocket Engine

manufacturer = Hadron Electric Rocket Enterprises

description = By generating a strong magnetic field coupled with a repulsor this engine uses the force of the quantum vacuum Remember to bring enough batteries and solar panels!

attachRules = 1,1,1,0,0

mass = 1.0

// heatConductivity = 0.06 // half default

skinInternalConductionMult = 4.0

emissiveConstant = 0.8 // engine nozzles are good at radiating.

dragModelType = default

maximum_drag = 0.2

minimum_drag = 0.2

angularDrag = 2

crashTolerance = 7

breakingForce = 200

breakingTorque = 200

maxTemp = 2000 // = 3600

bulkheadProfiles = size2

MODULE

{

name = ModuleEngines

thrustVectorTransformName = thrustTransform

exhaustDamage = False

ignitionThreshold = 0.1

minThrust = 0

maxThrust = 1800

heatProduction = 0

EngineType = Electric

PROPELLANT

{

name = ElectricCharge

ratio = 0.001

DrawGauge = True

}

PROPELLANT

{

name = XenonGas

ratio = 0.001

DrawGauge = True

}

atmosphereCurve

{

key = 0 15000

key = 1 15000

}

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleJettison

jettisonName = fairing

bottomNodeName = bottom

isFairing = True

jettisonedObjectMass = 0.5

jettisonForce = 15

jettisonDirection = 0 0 1

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleAlternator

RESOURCE

{

name = ElectricCharge

rate = 100.0

}

}

RESOURCE

{

name = ElectricCharge

amount = 0

maxAmount = 0

isTweakable = false

hideFlow = true

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleTestSubject

environments = 15

useStaging = True

useEvent = True

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleSurfaceFX

thrustProviderModuleIndex = 0

fxMax = 0.6

maxDistance = 30

falloff = 1.5

thrustTransformName = thrustTransform

}

}

[Mecripp]

Where in the cfg file do I look to make sure of that?

KSP/GameData/Squad/Resources/ResourcesGeneric.cfg here

RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = LiquidFuel
  density = 0.005
  unitCost = 0.8
  hsp = 2010
  flowMode = STACK_PRIORITY_SEARCH
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = Oxidizer
  density = 0.005
  unitCost = 0.18
  hsp = 1551
  flowMode = STACK_PRIORITY_SEARCH
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = SolidFuel
  density = 0.0075
  unitCost = 0.6
  hsp = 920
  flowMode = NO_FLOW
  transfer = NONE
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = MonoPropellant
  density = 0.004
  unitCost = 1.2
  hsp = 3000
  flowMode = STAGE_PRIORITY_FLOW
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = XenonGas
  density = 0.0001  
  unitCost = 4
  hsp = 120
  flowMode = STAGE_PRIORITY_FLOW
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = ElectricCharge
  density = 0
  unitCost = 0
  hsp = 0
  flowMode = ALL_VESSEL
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = true
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = IntakeAir
  density = 0.005
  unitCost = 0
  hsp = 10
  flowMode = ALL_VESSEL
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = false
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = EVA Propellant
  density = 0
  unitCost = 0
  hsp = 3000
  flowMode = NO_FLOW
  transfer = PUMP
  isTweakable = false
}

RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = Ore
  density = 0.010
  unitCost = 0.02
  flowMode = ALL_VESSEL
  transfer = PUMP
  hsp = 1000
  isTweakable = true
  color = 1,0,1
}
RESOURCE_DEFINITION
{
  name = Ablator
  density = 0.001
  hsp = 400
  flowMode = NO_FLOW
  transfer = NONE
  isTweakable = True
  unitCost = 0.5
}

And you can look in CommunityResourcePack and it's cfg.

[dans6887]

Okay here is what I have done.

I have added a custom resource (VacuumCharge) to the resources.cfg file in squad. I have also created a "fueltank" called VC-100 that holds 2000 units of this fuel. My engine fires but I still get no thrust. The density of my vacuum charge is 0.01 which is double that of liquid fuel. I have included the cfg for both my engine and the vacuum charge:

--------------------------------Engine------------------------------------------------

PART

{

name = zapperEngine

module = Part

author = Daniel Scott

mesh = model.mu

rescaleFactor = 0.5

node_stack_top = 0.0, 2.2, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 2

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -2.0, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0, 2

fx_exhaustFlame_blue_small = 0.0, -0.8, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

fx_exhaustLight_blue = 0.0, -0.8, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, running

fx_smokeTrail_light = 0.0, -1.3, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, running

sound_vent_medium = engage

sound_rocket_hard = running

sound_vent_soft = disengage

sound_explosion_low = flameout

TechRequired = basicRocketry

entryCost = 4200

cost = 100

category = Engine

subcategory = 0

title = HERMEs 1.02.01 "Zapper" Electric Rocket Engine

manufacturer = Hadron Electric Rocket Enterprises

description = By generating a strong magnetic field coupled with a repulsor this engine uses the force of the quantum vacuum. Remember to bring enough batteries and solar panels!

attachRules = 1,1,1,0,0

mass = 1.0

// heatConductivity = 0.06 // half default

skinInternalConductionMult = 4.0

emissiveConstant = 0.8 // engine nozzles are good at radiating.

dragModelType = default

maximum_drag = 0.2

minimum_drag = 0.2

angularDrag = 2

crashTolerance = 7

breakingForce = 200

breakingTorque = 200

maxTemp = 2000 // = 3600

bulkheadProfiles = size2

MODULE

{

name = ModuleEngines

thrustVectorTransformName = thrustTransform

exhaustDamage = False

ignitionThreshold = 0.1

minThrust = 0

maxThrust = 1800

heatProduction = 0

EngineType = Electric

PROPELLANT

{

name = ElectricCharge

ratio = 0.001

DrawGauge = True

}

PROPELLANT

{

name = VacuumCharge

ratio = 0.001

DrawGauge = True

}

atmosphereCurve

{

key = 0 900

key = 1 900

key = 3 0.001

}

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleJettison

jettisonName = fairing

bottomNodeName = bottom

isFairing = True

jettisonedObjectMass = 0.5

jettisonForce = 15

jettisonDirection = 0 0 1

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleAlternator

RESOURCE

{

name = ElectricCharge

rate = 100.0

}

}

RESOURCE

{

name = ElectricCharge

amount = 0

maxAmount = 0

isTweakable = false

hideFlow = true

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleTestSubject

environments = 15

useStaging = True

useEvent = True

}

MODULE

{

name = ModuleSurfaceFX

thrustProviderModuleIndex = 0

fxMax = 0.6

maxDistance = 30

falloff = 1.5

thrustTransformName = thrustTransform

}

}

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------VacuumCharge tank----------------------------------------

PART

{

name = vacuumCharge tank

module = Part

author = Squad

mesh = model.mu

rescaleFactor = .65

node_stack_top = 0.0, 0.25, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -0.25, 0.0, 0.0, -1.0, 0.0, 1

node_attach = 0.0, 0.0, 0.3125, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0

TechRequired = basicRocketry

entryCost = 3200

cost = 50

category = FuelTank

subcategory = 0

title = Z-200 Rechargeable Battery Bank

manufacturer = Hadron Electric Rocket Enterprises

description = The VC-100 is a stackable tank containing Vacuum Particles for use with all of HERMEs rocket engines.

attachRules = 1,0,1,1,0

mass = 0.01

dragModelType = default

maximum_drag = 0.2

minimum_drag = 0.2

angularDrag = 1

crashTolerance = 8

maxTemp = 2000 // = 3200

bulkheadProfiles = size0, srf

RESOURCE

{

name = VacuumCharge

amount = 2000

maxAmount = 2000

}

}

[Mecripp]

You mustn't have got one of your files in CFG format check again just set one up and it works fine.

EDIT-

Edited July 30, 2015 by Mecripp2

[dans6887]

I have gone back and checked everything.; Looks like there is a problem with my model and texture files. When I copy the models from any of squad's files and then use my .cfg files it works perfectly. I'm going to have to get more proficient with blender and unity in order to get my designs to work