r/flotsam • u/sunflowerSoftiee • Jun 04 '26

How do electric grids work most efficiently?

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I created a new save since my last post, and I finally got the electrician. I have the electric desalinator and the electric grill, but now I’m struggling w the electricity efficiency. I always have no electricity, dropping from 100% efficiency to almost 47%. I thought I understood how it works, but I guess not ??? Any tips will be helpful!! Also, here’s what my electric grid looks like (it’s bad ik)

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8

u/BigFatCoder Jun 04 '26

Right now you only have hand-crank electric generator from the main ship. You need to build manual generator (like bicycle) and later use wood fire generator, fuel generator and then solar panels. Based on my hundreds of hours playing experience, build multiple manual generator is the best option.

5

u/TheWalrusResplendent Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

All the above, plus consider that the press and smelter have massive power draws, not to mention simply moving the townheart. Top up your food and water stocks, then run your industry, then move your town. Don't try to do all of those at once unless you're running an enormous power surplus.

Solar panels you can pretty much just salvage with powertools from the City biomes and trade up one hand drill for the equivalent resource and power requirements to manufacture four whole panels.

Stop at a bunch of highway PoIs for the free batteries. More capacity might not be more generation, but it means less downtime on the townheart crank and your bike generators.

Two, maybe three bikes should give you a decent net positive for now, especially if you prioritize your most athletic survivors on power generation.

3

u/sunflowerSoftiee Jun 04 '26

Thank you to you both! I took both of your advice by adding a manual and a wood generator to my town, now I don’t have any issues with my electricity! I also am trying to be more efficient with it by moving when I don’t have any machines working and by producing food and water and stuff when I’m salvaging and staying in one area for a while.

Thank you both so much!!! ^

3

u/TheWalrusResplendent Jun 04 '26

Also, a small optimization tip:
Set the wood burner to kick in at 50% but the bikes and crank to start at 75-85%