How to add on multiple ion engines?

[jmr106]

I've been using KSP for probably 6-8 months now. I've figured out how to get into orbit and I'm working on learning how to get to the Mun and planets that are farther out (I'm discovering just how huge they kerbal solar system is, after seeing the last planet wayyyyyyy out there).

I have been picking my brain trying to figure out how to successfully use a lot of PB-Ion Electric Propulsion Systems together. Nothing modded or anything...just the stock that is already in the game. I've tried the small square space probe blocks...they really don't work very well. I've even tried the large flat structural panel (odd as it may be...just sticking them on there with the tanks above the engine). However, apparently electricity doesn't pass through the structural panel itself and the engines couldn't fire.

So what could I use to stick these engines on? I know that a single one just goes onto whatever you are building as the next piece that automatically attaches. But say that I want to build a probe with like 5+ ion engines (and I've been pondering a massive one with like 15 of them).

I've tried to large node (HubMax Multi Point Connector) to attach multiple nodes together so that I have room for 5 engines in a square shape (for on the outside and one in the center). However, when you attached more than two of those side by side, you can't add anything onto the bottom of any of them for some reason.

Any ideas?

Edited September 14, 2013 by jmr106

[UmbralRaptor]

You can stack them! Alternatively, try cubic octagonal struts with symmetry.

Electricity is handled ship-wide, so getting sufficient flow shouldn't be an issue. Insufficient power, maybe?

[Kasuha]

Ion-propelled probe on Minmus was one of my earliest experiments. The gravity there is low enough that you can land and return from there using just ion engines.

It wasn't probably very optimal but it worked nicely.

Humbax is unnecessarily heavy for an ion engine but it is possible to stack more of them together. You just need to rotate them so that the end you are attaching to the previous HubMax is the one which was originally facing upwards.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Kasuha