Talk:Power

Storage Units
In the table under power sources, there are instances of "4 units/s" and "1 bar/s" being used, which if I understand correctly, are the same thing. Perhaps these should be updated to be consistent, one or the other. --RadioRoscoe (talk) 07:15, 13 March 2018 (UTC)

Why are Amps used?
Can someone provide an argument in favor of using amps to measure power instead of watts (the SI unit for power)? This whole wiki seems to be laboring under the misconception that power production of generators of various kinds, and power consumption of devices, can be measured in Amps, which it cannot. In a DC system, the current flow (I) in a circuit is determined by the voltage (V) of the power source and the resistance (R) of the circuit (I=V÷R). In this scenario, what is being supplied is voltage and the amperage is a calculated value, not a constant or inherent one. It's a minor issue so you all can ban me if you want but I find it frustrating to read a direct statement saying that power can be measured in Amps, when that's totally false. Power over time is also a problematic phrasing because Power(Watts)=Voltage(V)×Amperage(I). None of these precursor units have time in them, so dividing power by time is meaningless. Watts×Seconds=Joules Watts÷Seconds≠anything. I'm not saying the wiki needs to be full on Systeme Internationale with every unit used, but amperage is the wrong choice. I would be willing to make all of the edits to bring the entire wiki into line myself if I weren't sure that would get me banned. I really like Astroneer, but I also have an undergraduate degree in Physics and reading "The unit of measurement for power transfer over time for reference is A, for Amps or Amperes" causes me physical pain. Because not only is this very wrong but as I've mentioned, the phrase "power over time" is meaningless. Also of note is the fact that real rechargeable batteries are often rated in amp-hours and not watt-hours. This is because it makes the math easier and more widely applicable to various voltage load devices in this scenario, by dividing out the voltage from the watt-hour measurement (for Liion batteries its often somewhere between 3.0v and 4.2v but 3.6v is the standard.) These measurements could easily be converted to watt-hours by multiplying by the nominal voltage. Thanks, Bruce mangosteen (talk) 19:53, 14 February 2019 (UTC)


 * Hey Bruce, we currently have a question in with the dev team to clarify if there is an official term they are using to describe power consumption. We are going to hold off on any changes until they get back to us. Better to wait than to edit twice. DystopiaGuy (talk) 20:03, 14 February 2019 (UTC)


 * Amps is used to measure current, so it makes sense to talk about amps for modules, vehicles, etc. For batteries, it makes more sense to talk about volts since they represent stored power.  Watts is just the product of these two; it might make sense to use watts to talk about unlocking gateways or unlocking science modules encountered throughout the planets.  Bbp9857 (talk) 20:19, 14 February 2019 (UTC)


 * DystopiaGuy, Thank you for the clarification. I knew there was no official terminology from the devs but I didn't know someone had asked.  I can appreciate that edits are being reserved for when the response is received, but I'd like to point out that it does not in fact make sense to talk about amps for devices that draw power, unless the voltage of that draw is known.  Without a known voltage, amperage cannot be equated to power (P=IV). The only unit applicable to power, when nothing is assumed, is watts.  The capacity of batteries also cannot be measured in volts, because volts do not represent stored energy as you assert.  Voltage is a measure of difference in electrical potential between two points, and can be thought of as water pressure in the water-pipe-analogy, whereas amperage can be equated to flow velocity in the pipe.  Resistance is equated to pipe diameter in this analogy.  Battery capacity could be measured in Joules(=1 volt × 1 coulomb OR 1 watt × 1 second), but I think Bars is more user friendly in this scenario, and I have no problem with that (not that my having a problem is a direct criterion for change).  What I do have a problem with is the fact that amps is the current unit accepted by the community, in large part due to misinformed youtubers, and this wiki.  If a judgment is to be made by the devs on the issue, the easiest cop-out for them would just be to say that what we've been using all this time is what it's gonna be, because an in-depth understanding of electricity and how electrical power is measured is not common among people who don't seek out that information, or pay $45,000/year and incur huge debt to have it force-fed into their brains.  I am concerned that the fact that amps is the current (incorrect) standard will influence any decision made on the part of the devs.  It's not a great argument as to why this needs to be changed before then, but it is an argument.  For now though I think the second line under the unit of measurement header is super problematic and needs to go or be heavily changed, even if amps continues to be the unit of choice.  It is presented as scientific fact, not as a nomenclature explanation specific to this game, which is misleading.   I look forward to hearing back from you.  Thanks,
 * Bruce mangosteen (talk) 20:56, 14 February 2019 (UTC)


 * Hey Bruce, I threw a quick edit at the Unit of Measurement section to try and remove the "this is scientific fact" idea. I personally would like to move away from "Bars" just because they are SO non-standard. Some bars are actually equal to a Bar, other's aren't. Some are "Columns." I agree voltage is incorrect for capacity, but I'd rather a uniform unit be used. Cutting note short.
 * DystopiaGuy (talk) 21:23, 14 February 2019 (UTC)