Connector | |
---|---|
Category: | Functional Block |
Status: | Functional |
Function: | |
Allows transfer of cargo between two or more grids. | |
Fits small ship | |
Mass: | 693.2 kg |
Capacity: | 1,152 L |
Power: | 50 W |
Fits large ship and station | |
Mass: | 3,596 kg |
Capacity: | 8,000 L |
Power: | -5 kW |
Data Controls: | [edit] [purge] (?) |
The Connector is a block in Space Engineers.
The primary purpose of the Connector is to form a temporary connection between the conveyor systems of two ships or stations. When two Connectors come within proximity, the 'x' will turn yellow. If the Connectors are then locked (using the Control Panel or by pressing "P") the "x" will turn green and the connection is established. The connected systems then share electricity, control and inventory. Blocks within either conveyor system can then make push and pull requests as though they were one ship. Players can access the terminal and inventories of ships connected to theirs in this way.
The Connector can also be used to release objects into space from a ship's inventory. The indicator on the side of the block will display a red 'x' when the space in front of the connector is blocked by items. When this is the case, the Connector will not throw any more items out.
The combination of these two functions can eliminate the need to manually empty containers and move items by hand.
Inventory
With Realistic settings, the Connector has an inventory with a capacity of 1,152L on small ships and 8,000L on large ships and stations. The inventory accepts all items, allowing the transfer of all manner of goods.
If attached to a conveyor system, the container is flagged to receive pushed items from other blocks. It will pull items automatically from any directly-attached inventories when active.[1] However, Connectors cannot automatically transfer items between two connected ships without jettisoning the items into space, and using a Collector to catch them. If you are only using two Connectors, you must manually drag-and-drop items between adjoining ship/station inventories.
Conveyor-Connector System
With update 1.036 ships can use connectors to connect with other ships or with stations. Items will only be transferred if the connector receives a pull-request from one side of the Connector-Link:
- Welders can pull needed components from containers over a connector-Link automatically by sending a pull-request.
- Grinders or Drills can't send gathered components or ores to containers over a connector-Link and containers won't send pull-requests. (Drills seem to empty their inventories to cargo containers if full, at least if there is refinery without space for ores in the same conveyor network)
- Conveyor Sorters can send a more 'manual' pull request by enabling the 'drain all' function. Connectors cannot be used to automatically 'dump' items on their own.
Power
The Connector consumes 50 W when attached to small ships and 5 kW when attached to large ships or stations. This value is the same regardless of whether or not there is work to do.
Previous to version 01.046 there was a bug that made connectors work even when unpowered. Version 01.046 fixed this bug and in all versions after you must supply power to connectors in order for them to function.
Recipe
Connector | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
Computer | 20 | — | 6 | — |
Display | 4 | — | 1 | — |
Motor | 8 | — | 6 | — |
Small Steel Tube | 12 | — | 6 | — |
File:Icon Item Construction Component.png Construction Component | 40 | — | 12 | — |
Steel Plate | 130 | 20 | 15 | 6 |