Docking Ports and Ring Stations

[Behemoose]

So I'm building a ring-shaped station:

As you can see, it's nearly finished. But I'm having trouble with the two docking ports on the lower right-hand side. When I try to dock that fuel depot module with the station, I can get one port to dock (either), but not both.

Any suggestions?

[Taki117]

Multi-port docking, while possible, is extremely difficult. If you are off at all one of the two will not dock, and if you are lucky enough to get them both to dock one connection will be weaker than the other.

[Behemoose]

Is there any kind of mod that changes the code so that more than one port will connect after the fact?

[Geschosskopf]

Is there any kind of mod that changes the code so that more than one port will connect after the fact?

I dunno about that but you can instead use KAS. A Kerbal on EVA can build struts to connect the parts where the last docking port won't join. If you do this carefully, nobody will see the struts from a distance .

[bakanando]

Is using a klaw on one side a good idea? I've heard that the klaw is very buggy.

[Geschosskopf]

Is using a klaw on one side a good idea? I've heard that the klaw is very buggy.

If you're controlling the ship with the Claw on it when contact is made, the Claw works fine. The serious weirdness happens when you're controlling the ship without the Claw.

HOWEVER, the above only applies when you've got 1 Claw joining 2 things. When you start using multiple Claws, things can still get weird. At least that's the impression I've gotten from building MKS bases using the Claw-like parts in that mod, so instead I use the MKS version of KAS pipes, which seem to be more reliable.

In general, KSP seems to dislike ring-shaped things a lot. Even if you can get them to connect up, there are usually Kraken problems with them. It might be better to have all the radial sections connect directly to the central hub, then go back later and connect the radial parts to each other using KAS struts or pipes, including the MKS version of the pipes which look more appropriate for stations.

[Laie]

Two days in and still no proper answer... I'll try.

If your problem is multi-docking in and of itself: You need to come in with *all* ports lined up very well, to a tolerance of less than one degree. If you can eyeball that, kudos to you. Otherwise, I can only point you to mods that will help: have either Mechjeb's Smart A.S.S. handle the rotation for you (that's what I do, works a treat) or at least use some kind of docking port alignment indicator. No link handy, but "alignment" makes a good search term.

If the problem is that you can't squeeze in the last wedge, I suggest you split the station in half, then put it back together. Make it so that all ports that need to connect will face in the same direction.

It it's neither, please describe the problem you're having.

[Tex_NL]

Multi-port docking itself can be difficult. But alignment in circular construction is EXTREMELY important. A minor flaw on one end can result in a huge off-set on the other. Laie is absolutely correct in suggesting some assistance from Smart A.S.S. or AlignmentIndicator. The circular stations I build in the past would have been be nearly impossible without them.

Check out the link in my signature for additional building techniques.

Edit:

I looked at your image a bit closer now and I think I've spotted your problem. It's literally staring you in the face.

The central truss, vertical in your images, is longer than the arched truss you're trying to wrap around it. Unless the docking ports are actually able to line up they will never connect.

Edited October 25, 2014 by Tex_NL