Generator
| Block type: | Single |
| Powered by: | Shaft Power |
| Requirements for operation: | Gas_turbine, Steam_turbine, or another Generator |
| Stackable: | Yes (64) |
Usage
The generator works almost exactly the same way as the heat turbine does, only it converts the motion from a rotating shaft into electricity rather than heat moving through a turbine. It also has the ability to convert back, to keep the voltage and rotation speed in check. If possible, avoid allowing electricity to pass back into the generator unless a spin-up is intended since dramatic losses will occur.
lights
The generator has lights along the side.
- Red: generator is drawing power
- Green: Generator is providing power.
Efficiency
When converting electricity into shaft power, only 10% of the power actually goes into creating motion. This is a huge loss, and should be avoided if possible. The exception is to help spin up your turbines to either reach better efficiencies, or to fire a gas turbine and produce power more efficiently. It may be a loss on the short term, but a self-sustaining gas/steam turbine is far more efficient in the long term.
--TODO find and post information about conversion from shaft power to electrical power
