Learn how to craft and use the Battery Bank
What’s the purpose of all the Lead Car Batteries found throughout 7 Days to Die? Why do they have different quality levels if they’re just crafting ingredients? The answer to both of these questions lies in the Battery Bank. This powerful device allows the player to recharge lead car batteries and utilize them to power electrical systems.
This guide will walk you through how to craft and use a Battery Bank and offer advice on maintaining it.
How to craft a Battery Bank in 7 Days to Die
In truth, the Battery Bank is just a plastic crate, and a few electrical components soldered together to house your batteries, so it won’t take many materials to craft. However, you will need a hefty 75 levels in the Electrician crafting skill and a functional Workbench before you can assemble it.
Each Battery Bank is constructed from the following materials:
- 10 Forged Iron
- 11 Electrical Parts
- 6 Scrap Polymers
Forged Iron can be crafted at a Forge, salvaged from structures, or purchased. Electrical Parts can be found in parts containers, salvaged from machinery, appliances, or vehicles, or purchased from a trader. Scrap Polymers may be looted from trash piles or salvaged from plastic objects or garbage.
How to use a Battery Bank in 7 Days to Die
As with all electrical devices, this machine will require the player to utilize a Wire Tool for it to be of any use.
The Battery Bank is a rather simple device to use, providing only 3 main functions when being interacted with. Holding down the interact key when aiming at a Battery Bank will open a radial menu with two options, allowing the player to turn the batteries on and off or to open the interact screen.
If the bank is inside the player’s land claim, then a third option will appear, allowing the player to pick up the Battery Bank and return it to their inventory, assuming it is deactivated and has no batteries in it.
From the interact screen, the player can view the max output, current power, and battery compartment of the Battery Bank. All available actions for the Battery Bank (with the exception of ‘pick up’) may also be performed from the interact screen.
Power
The Generator Bank utilizes a number of Lead Car Batteries to power electrical systems. The Max Output limit informs the player of how much power an individual Battery Bank can produce at any given time. Electrical systems requiring energy in excess of this limit will not be powered.
The Power meter informs the player of how much energy is currently being drawn from an individual Battery Bank. The amount of charge drained from batteries is consistent with how much power is being drawn from the Battery Bank.
Batteries
The batteries panel allows the player to insert or remove Lead Car Batteries from the bank, but only when it isn’t active. These batteries are rare, complex components that can be crafted at a Chemistry Station with level 65 in the Electrician crafting skill, Lead, Acid, and Scrap Polymers. They can also be looted from car parts containers, salvaged from vehicles and certain machines, or bought from traders.
The Battery Bank may be used to recharge Lead Car Batteries. The charge of a battery is visible at the bottom of its icon in the form of what would be a durability bar for any other object.
Batteries will only regain charge if the Battery Bank is the endpoint of a power line running from another power generator, such as a Generator Bank or Solar Bank that can produce more power than the connected grid requires. Both machines must be in the ON state for recharging to occur.
A Battery Bank requires at least 1 battery to function and may hold up to 6 total. A charge will be drained from individual batteries one at a time, starting with the bottom rightmost unit in the grid.
The output and lifespan of each battery depend on its quality level. Higher-level batteries will produce more power and last longer, with a maximum charge of 300w for a single Battery Bank if powered by 6 quality 6 batteries.
Here is a brief list of each battery’s individual charge:
- Quality 1: 29w
- Quality 2: 33w
- Quality 3: 37w
- Quality 4: 41w
- Quality 5: 45w
- Quality 6: 50w
Wiring
Battery Banks must be connected to an electrical grid or directly to other devices with a Wire Tool. Since the Battery Bank produces power, it will typically be the origin point for any wires. However, other power generators, such as the Generator Bank and Solar Bank, may be wired to this machine to charge installed batteries.
Tips and tricks for using the Battery Bank
- Batteries in the bank will only be recharged if it receives excess power from another generator and both devices are ON.
- Battery Banks will not drain charge from batteries unless they are connected to a grid requiring power.
- Battery Banks produce noise when active and may attract nearby enemies or alert other players.
- Battery Banks are quite vulnerable to physical attack and explosives, so keep them safe from enemies.
- Running power lines through a Battery Bank can increase the maximum available power of your grid without greatly increasing strain on resources.
Final thoughts on the Battery Bank
Though somewhat situationally useful, The Fun Pimps’ addition of the Battery Bank makes the electrical system more dynamic and allows for the deployment of temporary electrical grids. You’ll need to find new batteries or recharge them eventually, but relying on battery power can keep your defenses running in times of strain and store extra power for emergencies.
Looking for some other tips to help you get started in 7 Days to Die? Check out our 10 Tips for Getting Started and the 7 Days to Die Beginner’s Guide.
