rechargeable batteries

[jonnyb]

trying to launch a satellite but unable to charge batteries once in orbit. Have solar panels but not charging battery for some reason do batteries and solar panels have to be placed in a certain way?

[RainDreamer]

No, solar panels just need to be opened (if they are the fold up types) and facing the sun(<-most important part).

[THX1138]

Make sure you deploy the solar panels before the batteries run out of power. If the batteries run out of power you'll never be able to deploy the solar panels (unless you dock a vessel which does have power).

[Commander Zoom]

And that's why I like to have at least one, if not all, of my panels to be the single-pane non-deploying sort.

[worir4]

Also make sure that the panel isn't blocked by any part of your ship. Right clicking on the panel will show if it has exposure.

[ghpstage]

And that's why I like to have at least one, if not all, of my panels to be the single-pane non-deploying sort.

Well there is that, but also the lack of physics, the resistance to damage, not breaking the second it hits an atmosphere and the best cost/power ratio. The lack of tracking is a bit of a weakness, but you can always keep a battery turned off in reserve so you can turn the full load towards the sun even if you run out of power. Edited January 4, 2015 by ghpstage

[RainDreamer]

Have an RTG would be a simpler, albeit more expensive, solution for back up power.

[Whovian]

Also, especially with Remotetech, there's the possibility that you're getting power, but you're draining your batteries more quickly than you're filling them.

[Liowen]

Another idea, if you have more than one battery on the craft, turn off one battery as a backup. I normally try to have a redundancy of systems in case something fails; 2 batteries with one off, a single solar panel that does not need to be deployed for electrical. Even with mono prop tanks I may only need one radial mounted tank but I add in the second one, it is disabled so I know I have a little extra for when I over do something.

[LordFerret]

Make sure you deploy the solar panels before the batteries run out of power. If the batteries run out of power you'll never be able to deploy the solar panels (unless you dock a vessel which does have power).

...unless you've got a Kerbal onboard; Then, you can EVA out to the panel, and with the Kerbal close to the panel, right-click the panel and have the little dude open it. You should only need to have him open one, because once it does open and starts producing power, you can open the others normally. The little guys know how to fix flat rover tires too.

[Asharad]

...unless you've got a Kerbal onboard; Then, you can EVA out to the panel, and with the Kerbal close to the panel, right-click the panel and have the little dude open it. You should only need to have him open one, because once it does open and starts producing power, you can open the others normally. The little guys know how to fix flat rover tires too.

Thank you for this. I didn't know that Kerbals could repair flat tires and open solar panels. I wish I had known about this many Kerban years ago.

[AlexinTokyo]

Note regarding Kerbals repairing flat tyres: As of 0.90.0 this requires a level-3 or higher engineer Kerbal; not all Kerbals know how to use a jack anymore.

[MartGonzo]

...unless you've got a Kerbal onboard; Then, you can EVA out to the panel, and with the Kerbal close to the panel, right-click the panel and have the little dude open it. You should only need to have him open one, because once it does open and starts producing power, you can open the others normally. The little guys know how to fix flat rover tires too.

Oh B***** B%*$^"$" $%^!"$$!!!!!

If I'd known that a year ago, I wouldn't have failed so many missions