Transferring Fuel In Ksp: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to transfer fuel between tanks ksp

Transferring fuel between tanks in Kerbal Space Program (KSP) is a crucial aspect of gameplay, especially when it comes to space exploration and refueling stations. There are a few methods to transfer fuel between tanks, and it's important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on the version of KSP being played. One common method is to use the right-click and ALT-right-click functions to select the desired tanks and choose the fuel in or fuel out options. Players can transfer fuel from multiple tanks simultaneously, distributing it evenly or filling them one by one. Additionally, mods like TAC Fuel Balancer can simplify the process, allowing transfers between crafts with fewer clicks. The game also offers alternative approaches, such as flying up a fuel tanker or utilizing ISRU for refueling in space.

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Right-click on the first tank, then alt-right-click on the second tank

To transfer fuel between tanks in Kerbal Space Program, you can right-click on the first tank and then alt-right-click on the second tank. This will open up the respective part menus for each tank, allowing you to manage the fuel transfer.

Right-clicking on a tank will bring up its part menu, which includes options such as "transfer in" and "transfer out". If the part menu open is not for a fuel tank, the transfer buttons will not be visible. By right-clicking on the first tank, you can select it as the source or destination for the fuel transfer.

Similarly, when you alt-right-click on the second tank, its part menu will open. You can then choose the corresponding "transfer in" or "transfer out" option to initiate the fuel transfer between the two tanks. This method allows you to specify the direction of fuel flow between the tanks.

It is important to note that the transfer buttons will only be available if both tanks are fuel tanks. Additionally, make sure that no non-fuel part windows are active during the process, as this can also affect the availability of the transfer buttons.

By utilizing the right-click and alt-right-click combination on the respective tanks, you can effectively manage fuel distribution within your spacecraft in Kerbal Space Program.

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Use the 'in' and 'out' buttons to transfer fuel

To transfer fuel between tanks in KSP, you must first dock your vessels. This can be done either by using docking ports on both vessels or a "grabbing unit" (also known as the "claw") on one of them. Once your vessels are docked, you can begin the fuel transfer process.

Right-click on the tank you want to transfer fuel from and the tank you want to transfer fuel to. Make sure that you have both part menus open, and only fuel tanks, or you won't see the transfer buttons. When you have the correct part menus open, you should see the "transfer in" and "transfer out" buttons pop up.

Use the "In" and "Out" buttons to transfer fuel as needed. If you want to fill multiple tanks from one tank, transfer out of the one tank. If you are transferring fuel from multiple tanks to one, select "In" on the tank receiving the fuel. You can also select multiple parts and apply an operation to all of them at once by using the Ctrl and Shift buttons on your keyboard.

If you are playing in Career mode, you will need the fuel transfer ability unlocked by upgrading your R and D building.

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Select multiple tanks to transfer fuel into or out of

To select multiple tanks to transfer fuel into or out of in Kerbal Space Program, follow these steps:

  • Right-click on the first fuel tank. This will open the part menu for that tank.
  • Use Alt-right click (or just right-click, depending on your game version) to select the other fuel tanks you want to transfer fuel into or out of. Make sure that all the tanks you select are fuel tanks, as non-fuel parts will not show the transfer buttons.
  • Once you have selected all the desired tanks, you will see the "Transfer In" and "Transfer Out" buttons.
  • Click "Transfer Out" on the tank you want to remove fuel from, or "Transfer In" on the tank you want to fill.

If you are transferring fuel out of one tank into multiple tanks, the fuel will be distributed evenly among the selected tanks until they are all full. If you are transferring fuel from multiple tanks into one, the fuel will be drawn evenly from all the selected tanks.

Note that if you are playing in Career mode, you will need to have the fuel transfer ability unlocked by upgrading your R&D building.

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Use the TAC fuel balancer mod to reduce the number of clicks

The TAC Fuel Balancer mod for Kerbal Space Program can be used to reduce the number of clicks needed to transfer fuel between tanks. This mod allows you to transfer fuel or other resources between different parts on the same vessel. It can transfer resources that use the "pump" resource transfer mode, including liquid fuel, oxidizer, electric charge, Kethane, and RCS fuel.

With this mod, you can transfer resources into or out of a part, taking or transferring an equal amount from or to each other part. You can also enable balance mode to ensure that all parts are filled to the same percentage. Additionally, you can lock parts to prevent the transfer of resources into or out of those specific parts.

To reduce the number of clicks, the TAC Fuel Balancer mod offers several convenient features. Firstly, you can select multiple parts and apply operations to them simultaneously. For example, you can use Ctrl to add or remove parts from your selection and Shift to select a range of parts, such as the biggest, smallest, emptiest, or fullest tanks. This allows you to quickly select the desired tanks for fuel transfer without clicking on each one individually.

Another time-saving feature is the ability to select parts by ship. When you dock a ship with a station or a tanker, you can easily transfer fuel into or out of all the ship's tanks at once. By using alt-click on a part, you can select all the parts on that ship, and you can further refine your selection by combining it with Ctrl to add or remove specific parts. This feature streamlines the fuel transfer process and minimizes the number of clicks required.

The TAC Fuel Balancer mod also includes miscellaneous improvements to enhance your experience. For instance, you can sort and group the part list, making it easier to locate specific parts. The mod also introduces shorter and friendlier names for resource types, reducing the need for horizontal scrolling on ships with numerous resources. These features collectively contribute to a more efficient and user-friendly fuel transfer process, reducing the overall number of clicks required.

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In Career mode, upgrade your R and D building to unlock the fuel transfer ability

If you are playing Career mode in Kerbal Space Program, you will need to unlock the fuel transfer ability by upgrading your R and D building.

To transfer fuel between tanks, right-click on the tank you want to transfer fuel out of and select the "out" option. Then, right-click on the tank you want to transfer fuel into and select the "in" option. Make sure you only have fuel tank part menus open, or you won't see the transfer buttons.

If you want to fill multiple tanks from one tank, transfer out of the single tank, and if you are doing the opposite, transfer out of the multiple tanks and select "in" on the single tank. This also helps to keep ships balanced when multiple tanks are arranged around a central core, and they won't be completely full when the fuel transfer is complete.

You can also use a mod called TAC Fuel Balancer that lets you transfer fuel from one craft to another with fewer clicks.

Frequently asked questions

Right-click on the tank you want to transfer fuel out of and the one you want to transfer fuel into. When you have both part menus open, you should see the transfer buttons pop up.

No, you can select multiple tanks to transfer fuel from or to. Use ALT+right-click to select multiple tanks.

Make sure you don't have any non-fuel part windows open. If you are playing Career mode, you will also need to have the fuel transfer ability unlocked by upgrading your R&D building.

When transferring fuel into a tank, it will draw evenly from all selected tanks. When transferring out of a tank, it will distribute to all selected tanks with room to receive it.

Yes, there is a mod called TAC Fuel Balancer that lets you transfer fuel from one craft to another with fewer clicks.

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