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{{Infobox Test
{{Infobox Test
|name=
|name=Electric Blast Furnace
|image=Electric_blast_furnace.PNG
|image=Electric_blast_furnace.PNG
|mod=Gregtech 5
|mod=Gregtech 5
|type=Tile Entity
|type=Tile Entity
|tooltip=Controller block for the Electric Blast Furnace
|tooltip=Controller block for the Electric Blast Furnace
|quest=[[EBF-Time]]
|quest=EBF-Time
|tier=LV
|tier=LV
|machinesize=3x3x4
|machinesize=3x3x4 (hollow)
|pollutionoutput=Variable
|pollutionoutput=Variable
|blastresistance=10
|blastresistance=10
|hardness=10
|hardness=10
|gteuusage=120 EU/t+
|gteustorage=Variable
|gtvoltagein=As per Energy Hatch
|gteuusage=Variable
|gtamperage=2A per Energy Hatch
|gtvoltagein=Variable
|gtfluidcapacity=16,000 L+
|gtamperage=Variable
|gtitemcapacity=x4 stacks+
|gtfluidcapacity=Variable
|gtitemcapacity=Variable
}}
}}
The '''Electric Blast Furnace''' (EBF) is a critical multiblock machine that must be made in late [[LV]] in order to progress, as it is the only way to process Aluminium at that [[tier]]. It smelts metal dusts into ingots at higher temperatures than can be attained in simpler furnaces, at the cost of significant [[electricity]] usage.


The EBF is often the first GT multiblock new players make, and as such is a common source of frustration and issues. Unlike single block machines, the Electric Blast Furnace has multiple valid configurations and if incorrectly built will void its recipe ingredients, wasting resources and power. Its recipe capabilities are determined by both the [[Coil]] block used and Energy Hatch(es) it's built with.
== Your first EBF (Electric Blast Furnace) ==


== Construction ==
=== Before you Begin ===
The EBF is 3x3x4 in size; four blocks tall with a 3x3 footprint. While not affected by rain, any [[Generator]]s or [[Battery Buffer]]s connected to it can catch fire and [[explode]] if exposed, so it's best covered or placed indoors. Use F9 to check chunk borders and ensure the EBF is contained in a single chunk. Partially loaded multiblocks are prone to deforming or exploding. LV is the minimum tier for [[Multiblock#Input Hatch|hatches and busses]], but they can be upgraded later for more capacity or greater effect.
The Electric Blast Furnace is a Multiblock structure. It is 3x3x4 blocks (3 long, 3 wide, and 4 high)


Requires:
When building your first EBF, you will need:
* Electric Blast Furnace (controller)

* x16 Cupronickel Coil Block+
* The controller block ("Electric Blast Furnace" in NEI)
* x1+ Input Bus (LV)+
* 16x heating coils ("Cupronickel Coil Block" in NEI, can be upgraded later with better coils)
* x1 Output Bus (LV)+
* 1x input bus (For inputting items and the optional control circuit - you'll need at least an LV one, otherwise you won't be able to do most recipes)
* x1+ Input Hatch (LV)+
* 1x input hatch (For inputting fluids- any tier will work)
* x1 Output Hatch (LV)+, optional
* 1x output bus (For outputting items- you'll need at least an LV one, otherwise a lot of outputs will be automatically voided)
* x1 Maintenance Hatch
* 1x maintenance hatch (For doing maintenance. The controller will tell you what maintenance needs done. 5 of the 6 maintenance items are done with basic tools, while the 6th requires a soldering iron. Alternatively, duct tape can be used to fix all of them at once. If you do not have a soldering iron, you can run the EBF with one maintenance problem not fixed, but will need 3 energy hatches.)
* x2+ Energy Hatch (LV)+, or x1+ Energy Hatch (MV)+
* 2x or 3x LV energy hatch (Each hatch accepts 2 amps. Since most EBF recipes require 120 EU/t, you will need to supply 4 amps of LV to reach MV. If you do not have a soldering iron, you will need 3 LV hatches accepting a total of 5 amps of LV.)
* x1 Muffler Hatch (LV)+
* 1x muffler hatch (This affects your pollution output. It also spews smoke and looks cool while the EBF is running.)
* x9-11 Heat Proof Machine Casing (minimum 0)
* 1x output hatch (OPTIONAL. This will allow you to get CO2, CO or SO2 from certain recipes, mostly from processing certain ore dusts in the EBF. The muffler hatch controls what percentage of the fluid is returned.)
* x2-4+ Amps of power supply, tier determined by Energy Hatch(es)
* 9-11x heat proof machine casings (number depends on whether you have 2 or 3 energy hatches, and whether or not you have an output hatch)
* 4x or 5x LV generator of choice (Keep in mind that the EBF consumes a LOT of power, and will need to run for hours at a time. Make sure you have enough infrastructure set up!)

== Building your EBF ==
Once you have all your materials, you can start building!

Keep in mind that while the EBF can survive rain just fine, the generators or battery buffers that power it DO NOT and will explode in the rain.

DO NOT build your EBF over chunk borders. Press F9 twice to display the chunk borders in a green wireframe. Multiblocks built over chunk borders are prone to deforming or exploding.

The total size of the EBF is 3x4x3 (3 wide, 3 long, 4 tall)


'''Bottom Layer'''
'''Bottom Layer'''
* Place the controller in front center of the bottom layer.

Start by placing down your controller. It goes in the front middle of the bottom layer.
* The Input Hatch, Input Bus, Output Bus, Maintenance Hatch, and Energy Hatches can go anywhere on the bottom layer.
* Fill the rest of the 3x3 with Heat Proof Machine Casings.

After that, your input hatch, input bus, output bus(but NOT your output hatch, if you use one), your maintenance hatch, and your energy hatches can go anywhere on the bottom layer.

Finally, fill in any gaps with heat proof machine casings.


'''Middle Layers'''
'''Middle Layers'''
* The second and third layers of the EBF are rings of x8 Cupronickel Coil Blocks, each.

** The center of both layers should be empty.
The second and third layers of the EBF are for your 16 cupronickel coils. The inside of the 3x3 should be hollow.


'''Top Layer'''
'''Top Layer'''
* The muffler goes in the center of the top layer, facing upwards. Wrench to rotate if needed.

The muffler goes on the very middle of the top layer, facing upwards and must have one air block above it.
** It ''must'' have an empty air block above it.
* The Output Hatch, if used, goes in any of the other eight positions.

* Fill the rest of the 3x3 with Heat Proof Machine Casings.
The output hatch, if you choose to use one, goes in any of the other 8 positions.

Finally, fill in the rest with heat proof machine casings.


== Making Your EBF Work ==
== Making Your EBF Work ==
In order to run, maintenance problems need to be fixed, power supplied, circuit and ingredients loaded, and then finally the EBF can be started up. Use a Soft Mallet to turn the EBF on if it doesn't power up automatically. If it voids a recipe, the EBF will disable itself to avoid wasting more resources.


=== Maintenance ===
Congratulations! You've now built your EBF. Next, you will need to perform maintenance, set up your EBF's power sources, set up your inputs and outputs, and then, finally, start it up.
Like all multiblocks, when first formed the EBF will have a full suite of [[Maintenance]] problems, and maintenance problems will periodically (but rarely) pop up after that. These require tools to fix; a Hammer, Wrench, Soft Mallet, Screwdriver, Crowbar (GT, not Railcraft) and Soldering Iron. If you do not have a soldering iron, you can run the EBF with one maintenance problem not fixed, but will need three energy hatches.


=== Power ===
'''Maintenance'''
The EBF requires a constant 120 EU/t to make aluminium or steel, not accounting for losses from transmission. It needs to be supplied with 4A of LV to reach MV energy tier. With the "Circuitry burnt out" maintenance issue, it will instead require 132 EU/t. Each Energy Hatch can accept a maximum of 2A, which is 64 EU/t. Thus two LV hatches are required for the basic Electric Blast Furnace, or three and 5A of LV power if it has a [[maintenance]] problem. Use as few cables as possible. More than two blocks of cabling will reduce each amp to 29 EU/t- 4 amps of that is only 116 EU/t, and the EBF won't run. 2x Tin Cable is the absolute minimum that should be used; copper cable has even worse energy loss.
[[File:EBF maintenance.png|thumb|right|Maintenance messages.]]
To maintain your EBF, tools must be used on the Maintenance Hatch. The controller's GUI will have a list of the maintenance problems. When first built, the EBF will require all maintenance to be done, and maintenance problems will periodically (but rarely) pop up after that. The "Better than Duct Tape" quest has a list of all the maintenance problems and what tools fix them. Open the Maintenance Hatch GUI and click on the slot in the center with the appropriate tool. The IC2 Tool Box can be used to hold multiple tools and use them all at once by right-clicking the Maintenance Hatch.


[[Battery Buffer]]s are another option. Each buffer needs at least two batteries to provide 2A, which means a four slot or bigger buffer. Buffers are HIGHLY recommended for use with unbuffered [[Steam Turbine]]s, due to their inconsistent nature. They are not necessary for [[Combustion Generator]]s or [[Gas Turbine]]s, but can be useful. Buffers can also help where the current power infrastructure is insufficient to run the EBF constantly.


=== Circuits ===
The "Circuitry burned out" message is the hardest to deal with. It requires a charged Soldering Iron with at least 10k EU and soldering material; tin, lead, or soldering alloy fine wire or rod. Tin fine wire is recommended, as it's easy to produce and commonly available. The rest are easy, and only require a small amount of durability from an appropriate GT tool. Alternatively, duct tape can be used on the Maintenance Hatch to fix all 6 problems at once.
Many recipes require a programmed [[Circuit]] or [[Ghost Circuit]] to be set. When using a programmed circuit item, place it in the Input Bus along with the other recipe ingredients. It is not consumed in the process. Make sure to have the right one for the recipe. To set a ghost circuit, right/left click on the box in the lower right corner of the Input Bus to change the number, or shift-right click to choose a circuit setting directly.


== Upgrading ==
{| {{STDT|sortable c_01 align-left}}
The Electric Blast Furnace running at 120 EU/t is at its most efficient. Keep in mind that upgrading the voltage will quadruple the power requirement, but shorten processing time by half by base. The [[coil]]s used for a recipe also affect how much power it consumes.
! Message !! Tool to Fix
|-
| Pipe is loose. || | Wrench
|-
| Screws are loose. || | Screwdriver
|-
| Something is stuck. || | Soft Mallet
|-
| Platings are dented. || | Hammer
|-
| Circuitry burned out. || | Soldering Iron
|-
| That doesn't belong there. || | Crowbar
|}


==== Redstone Alloy Cable ====
With a functional EBF, Redstone Alloy Cables can be made which are completely lossless. This is a priority upgrade for both any cables connecting the EBF to its power source(s), and makes for a fantastic backbone power distribution line for a LV machine room.


==== MV Generator ====
A MV generator can be used to power the EBF instead of 4A of LV power and two LV Energy Hatches. If choosing to do so, ensure there is only ONE MV Energy Hatch instead of two, otherwise it will not work. Multiple MV Energy Hatches will cause the EBF to expect overclocking to HV, the same way it did when initially set up with two LV Energy Hatches to achieve MV.


==== Upgrading the Voltage ====
'''Powering your EBF'''
120 EU/t is insufficient power to smelt many recipes, the most important one being stainless steel. The EBF must be supplied with 4 amps of MV into two MV Energy Hatches to achieve 480EU/t, the required power for stainless steel. Keep in mind that running 120 EU/t recipes (such as aluminium or steel) will consume TWICE as much power at 480 EU/t. It may be desirable to set up a second EBF dedicated to higher power recipes if resources allow.


==== Heating Coils ====
The EBF requires 120 EU/t to make aluminium or steel. If you do not have the "Circuitry burnt out" maintenance fixed, it will instead require 132 EU/t.
[[Coil]]s determine what recipes the EBF can do, and how well it does them. Some recipes will require more heat than Cupronickel coils provide. For instance, Energetic Alloy requires 2200K, while Cupronickel Coils only provide 1800K- thus, a EBF cannot smelt Energetic Alloy until its coils are upgraded. An EBF or group of wallsharing EBF's can only have one coil type.


An extra bonus value will be added to your EBF's heat capacity of 100K * (energy tier - 2), where LV is tier 1, MV is tier 2, etc. This will allow some items to be smelted more efficiently at certain tiers, as described below. The basic setup of two LV Energy Hatches @ 2A each is MV level energy, which simply wipes out the - 2 penalty. With an HV Energy Hatch or two MV Hatches, the EBF has a 100K heat bonus. The [[Portable Scanner (Gregtech)|Portable Scanner]] can be used to read an EBF's heat capacity and energy tier.
Each energy hatch can accept a maximum of 2 amps, which is 64 EU/t. Thus, you will need 2 energy hatches, or 3 if you don't have all maintenance problems fixed.


==== Gas Recovery ====
When powering your hatch, use as few cables as possible. If you have more than two blocks of cabling, cable losses will deplete your power to 29 EU/t- 4 amps of that is only 116 EU/t, and your EBF won't run.
The '''Output Hatch''' is optional and will collect waste gasses for some recipes (C0<sub>2</sub>/CO/SO<sub>2</sub>), mostly ore dusts. The amount collected is based on the tier of the Muffler Hatch and at LV it will get nothing (0%); a MV Muffler recovers 13% of the possible total. The quantities shown in NEI are for the 'best' Output Hatch (UHV).


=== Automation ===
Keep in mind that you will need cables that support at least 2 amps.
Thankfully, automating an EBF is extremely easy. Input hatches accept fluids from any pipe, or manually in the GUI using cells. Input buses accept items from item pipes or hoppers. Output Hatches will auto-output fluids into pipes, while Output Buses will push into any container, item pipe or hopper. Busses and Hatches only auto push/pull from the face marked with four small arrows around a hole. As of 2.4.0, the EBF will shut down by default if there is no space for the recipe output. This behavior can be changed by adjusting the Void Mode in the controller. Only set items and/or fluids to void if they are not wanted.


==== Wallsharing ====
You can use battery buffers to make life easier. Each buffer needs at least 2 batteries to provide 2 amps. Buffers are HIGHLY recommended for use with steam turbines, due to their inconsistent nature. They are not necessary for combustion generators or gas turbines, but can be useful.
Multiple Electric Blast Furnaces can be built using less resources by [[Wallsharing]]. Like the [[Bricked Blast Furnace]], a wallshared EBF can share one or two sides of blocks with another adjacent EBF. The same type of [[Coil]] must be used across all wallshared furnaces, and due to their high [[Pollution]] output consideration should be given to the build location. Maintenance Hatches cannot be shared and it's not recommended to share Energy Hatches due to the EBF's high power demands.

'''Input and Output'''

Thankfully, automating an EBF is extremely easy.

Input hatches accept fluids from any pipe, or manually in the GUI using cells.

Input buses accept items from item pipes or hoppers.

Output hatches will automatically output fluids into pipes, but will void them automatically if the hatch is full.

Output buses will automatically output items into any container in front of them, or into an item pipe or hopper, but will void any new outputs if completely full.

== Using and Troubleshooting your EBF ==
Finally. All the hard work is done. All that's left to do is check NEI for a recipe, put in the necessary items and fluid, then right-click the controller with a soft mallet to turn it on.

Many recipes require a programmed circuit or ghost circuit to be set. When using a programmed circuit item, place it in the input bus along with the other recipe ingredients. It is not consumed in the process. Make sure you have the right one for your recipe.

=== Troubleshooting ===
'''The EBF runs for a while, or for only a second, and then turns off, usually deleting inputs in the process'''

*Make sure you are giving it enough power. See "Powering your EBF" for details.

'''The EBF will not start, or flashes a green light but does nothing when turned on'''


== Troubleshooting ==
'''Runs for a while, or for only a second, and then turns off, usually deleting inputs in the process'''
*Make sure enough EU is being supplied. See the [[#Power|Power]] section for details.
*Make sure if your using Advanced Mufflers that they have air filters in, tier 2 air filters after IV mufflers.
'''Won't start, or flashes a green light but does nothing when turned on'''
*Hit the EBF with a Soft Mallet to enable it.
*Hit the EBF with a Soft Mallet to enable it.
*Check the recipe using NEI. Many items/gasses/fluids look similar.
*Double check the recipe using NEI. The correct ghost circuit must be set or a programmed integrated circuit provided together with the dust/items inside the input bus. Make sure you have the correct processing gas.
** Check that the correct processing gas/fluid is in the Input Hatch.
** And all the items are present in sufficient quantity in the Input Bus.
*Check the proper programmed circuit / ghost circuit is set in the Input Bus.
**Check the gas (or secondary ingredient) and item combination matches the set circuit.
*Make sure the Muffler Hatch is not blocked by another block.
*Make sure the Muffler Hatch is not blocked by another block.
*Make sure the Muffler Hatch is facing up.
*Make sure the Muffler Hatch is facing out.
*It could also be caused by the EBF not getting any power at all.
*It could also be caused by the EBF not getting any power at all.
** Check that cables are connected.
*Make sure you have the proper programmed circuit / ghost circuit set in the input bus.
** Ensure generators/battery buffers are pointed in the correct direction.
** See if there are any accidental plates/foils applied to GT block faces - remove with [[Crowbar]].


'''Structure Incomplete'''
== Upgrading your EBF ==
*Try breaking the controller and replacing it.
[[File:EBF.png|400px|right|Example EBF setup]]
*Check that nothing has occupied the interior of the EBF, such as invisible lighting blocks.
Now that you've got your EBF running, it's time to upgrade it to make it run faster and more efficiently!
*If the EBF has never formed before, check that all the blocks are in the correct place and orientation. Muffler must face out, Controller must face forward.


'''Outputs Full'''
=== Power ===
* Output Bus is full and void protection is on.
The Electric Blast Furnace running at 120 EU/t is at its most efficient. Keep in mind that upgrading the voltage will decrease the efficiency, but often shorten processing time.
* There is no Output Hatch that can accept gasses - one is needed on the '''top layer''' of the EBF for gas.


== Tips ==
'''Cabling'''
*EBFs can share walls, just like the [[BBF]]. They can also share input and output hatches. Energy hatches sometimes have issues if shared, so recommendation is to not share them.
*There can also be more than one input hatch or bus. This way you can dedicate one hatch per input gas.
*'''Do not''' mix different types of [[Heating Coil]]s; the EBF will not work.


== External Links ==
With a functional EBF, redstone alloy cables can be made which are completely lossless. Make a few; the minor efficiency boost will add up when running the EBF for hours at a time.
*[[ftb:Electric Blast Furnace|Electric Blast Furnace - FTB Wiki]]

'''Using an MV generator'''

A MV generator can be used to power the EBF instead of 4 LV power sources. If choosing to do so, ensure there is only ONE MV Energy Hatch instead of two, otherwise it will not work. Multiple MV Energy Hatches will cause the EBF to expect overclocking, the same way it did when initially set up with two LV Energy Hatches.

'''Upgrading the Voltage'''

120 EU/t is insufficient power to smelt many recipes, the most important one being stainless steel. The EBF must be supplied with 4 amps of MV into two MV Energy Hatches to achieve 480EU/t, the required power for stainless steel. Keep in mind that running 120 EU/t recipes (such as aluminium or steel) will consume TWICE as much power at 480 EU/t. It may be desirable to set up a second EBF dedicated to higher power recipes if resources allow.

=== Coils ===
[[File:Coil Blocks.png|thumb|Coils and their heat ratings]]
Upgrading the coil blocks provides two main advantages- a higher heat capacity allows for smelting recipes that cannot be performed with cupronickel, and there are two bonuses that will increase the efficiency of your EBF when running lower-heat recipes with higher-heat coils.

Every recipe has a listed "Heating Capacity". This value tells you how much heat you need to perform the recipe, and how much of an efficiency bonus you will get when using coils that exceed the recipe's requirements.

'''Bonus Heating'''
In GT New Horizons, an extra bonus value will be added to your EBF's heat capacity of 100K * (tier - 2), where LV is tier 1, MV is tier 2, etc. This will allow some items to be smelted more efficiently at certain tiers, as described below.

'''High-Heat Recipes'''
Some recipes will require more heat than cupronickel coils provide. For instance, Energetic Alloy requires 2200K, while Cupronickel Coils only provide 1800K- thus, a EBF cannot smelt Energetic Alloy until its coils are upgraded.

'''Efficiency Bonuses'''

When you are above the heat capacity of a recipe, you will get two separate efficiency bonuses.

Every 900K above the heat capacity gives you a .95x multiplier to the EU/t consumed. This makes your EBF 5% more efficient for every 900K over the minimum for your recipe.

Every 1800K above the heat capacity gives you an "upgraded overclock". This allows you to run a recipe at a higher voltage, while still maintaining max efficiency.

Example- Normally, smelting aluminium with nitrogen consumes 144,000 EU per ingot at 120 EU/t, or 288,000 EU per ingot if at 480 EU/t, with a heat capacity of 1700K. If you use nichrome, you have a heat capacity of 3600- 1900K over aluminium's required heat capacity. Thus, you get two .95x multipliers and one upgraded overclock. Thus, your actual cost for one aluminium ingot would be 129,960 EU per ingot at 108 EU/t, or 129,960 EU per ingot at 433 EU/t.

== Useful information ==
As with all other GregTech multiblock machines:
*Insufficient energy supply will destroy the currently processed material.
*When the Output Bus is full, the Electric Blast Furnace will continue to work and will destroy all newly produced items. Put a diamond chest on the output to capture items. Note that the bus checks each slot so later on this may produce some lag.
*If you add an output hatch to the top layer, you can capture output gases for processing.
*Do NOT build a multiblock machine over chunk borders. Doing so can lead to unpredictable behavior. If you have NEI installed (which you should), chunk borders can be viewed by pressing F9 (by default).
*Before using the Electric Blast Furnace for the first time, maintenance must be performed.
*To activate or deactivate the Electric Blast Furnace, hit its control block with a Soft Hammer.
*EBFs can share walls, just like the BBF. They can also share input and output hatches. Energy hatches sometimes work if shared, so recommendation is to not share them.
*There can also be more than one input hatch or bus. This way you can dedicate one hatch per input gas.
*Large fluid cells (search for large*cell in NEI) can be placed in the input hatches to do large batches of items.
*Because of the high pollution levels, keep your muffler upgraded to the highest tier available.
*'''Do not''' mix different types of Heating Coils.
*EBF on FTB Wiki [[ftb:Electric Blast Furnace|Electric Blast Furnace]]


[[Category:Multiblocks]]
{{FTB_Attribution|url=https://ftb.gamepedia.com/Electric_Blast_Furnace|name=Electric Blast Furnace}}
[[Category:GT_Multiblock_Machines]]

Latest revision as of 02:23, 31 December 2023

The Electric Blast Furnace (EBF) is a critical multiblock machine that must be made in late LV in order to progress, as it is the only way to process Aluminium at that tier. It smelts metal dusts into ingots at higher temperatures than can be attained in simpler furnaces, at the cost of significant electricity usage.

The EBF is often the first GT multiblock new players make, and as such is a common source of frustration and issues. Unlike single block machines, the Electric Blast Furnace has multiple valid configurations and if incorrectly built will void its recipe ingredients, wasting resources and power. Its recipe capabilities are determined by both the Coil block used and Energy Hatch(es) it's built with.

Construction

The EBF is 3x3x4 in size; four blocks tall with a 3x3 footprint. While not affected by rain, any Generators or Battery Buffers connected to it can catch fire and explode if exposed, so it's best covered or placed indoors. Use F9 to check chunk borders and ensure the EBF is contained in a single chunk. Partially loaded multiblocks are prone to deforming or exploding. LV is the minimum tier for hatches and busses, but they can be upgraded later for more capacity or greater effect.

Requires:

  • Electric Blast Furnace (controller)
  • x16 Cupronickel Coil Block+
  • x1+ Input Bus (LV)+
  • x1 Output Bus (LV)+
  • x1+ Input Hatch (LV)+
  • x1 Output Hatch (LV)+, optional
  • x1 Maintenance Hatch
  • x2+ Energy Hatch (LV)+, or x1+ Energy Hatch (MV)+
  • x1 Muffler Hatch (LV)+
  • x9-11 Heat Proof Machine Casing (minimum 0)
  • x2-4+ Amps of power supply, tier determined by Energy Hatch(es)

Bottom Layer

  • Place the controller in front center of the bottom layer.
  • The Input Hatch, Input Bus, Output Bus, Maintenance Hatch, and Energy Hatches can go anywhere on the bottom layer.
  • Fill the rest of the 3x3 with Heat Proof Machine Casings.

Middle Layers

  • The second and third layers of the EBF are rings of x8 Cupronickel Coil Blocks, each.
    • The center of both layers should be empty.

Top Layer

  • The muffler goes in the center of the top layer, facing upwards. Wrench to rotate if needed.
    • It must have an empty air block above it.
  • The Output Hatch, if used, goes in any of the other eight positions.
  • Fill the rest of the 3x3 with Heat Proof Machine Casings.

Making Your EBF Work

In order to run, maintenance problems need to be fixed, power supplied, circuit and ingredients loaded, and then finally the EBF can be started up. Use a Soft Mallet to turn the EBF on if it doesn't power up automatically. If it voids a recipe, the EBF will disable itself to avoid wasting more resources.

Maintenance

Like all multiblocks, when first formed the EBF will have a full suite of Maintenance problems, and maintenance problems will periodically (but rarely) pop up after that. These require tools to fix; a Hammer, Wrench, Soft Mallet, Screwdriver, Crowbar (GT, not Railcraft) and Soldering Iron. If you do not have a soldering iron, you can run the EBF with one maintenance problem not fixed, but will need three energy hatches.

Power

The EBF requires a constant 120 EU/t to make aluminium or steel, not accounting for losses from transmission. It needs to be supplied with 4A of LV to reach MV energy tier. With the "Circuitry burnt out" maintenance issue, it will instead require 132 EU/t. Each Energy Hatch can accept a maximum of 2A, which is 64 EU/t. Thus two LV hatches are required for the basic Electric Blast Furnace, or three and 5A of LV power if it has a maintenance problem. Use as few cables as possible. More than two blocks of cabling will reduce each amp to 29 EU/t- 4 amps of that is only 116 EU/t, and the EBF won't run. 2x Tin Cable is the absolute minimum that should be used; copper cable has even worse energy loss.

Battery Buffers are another option. Each buffer needs at least two batteries to provide 2A, which means a four slot or bigger buffer. Buffers are HIGHLY recommended for use with unbuffered Steam Turbines, due to their inconsistent nature. They are not necessary for Combustion Generators or Gas Turbines, but can be useful. Buffers can also help where the current power infrastructure is insufficient to run the EBF constantly.

Circuits

Many recipes require a programmed Circuit or Ghost Circuit to be set. When using a programmed circuit item, place it in the Input Bus along with the other recipe ingredients. It is not consumed in the process. Make sure to have the right one for the recipe. To set a ghost circuit, right/left click on the box in the lower right corner of the Input Bus to change the number, or shift-right click to choose a circuit setting directly.

Upgrading

The Electric Blast Furnace running at 120 EU/t is at its most efficient. Keep in mind that upgrading the voltage will quadruple the power requirement, but shorten processing time by half by base. The coils used for a recipe also affect how much power it consumes.

Redstone Alloy Cable

With a functional EBF, Redstone Alloy Cables can be made which are completely lossless. This is a priority upgrade for both any cables connecting the EBF to its power source(s), and makes for a fantastic backbone power distribution line for a LV machine room.

MV Generator

A MV generator can be used to power the EBF instead of 4A of LV power and two LV Energy Hatches. If choosing to do so, ensure there is only ONE MV Energy Hatch instead of two, otherwise it will not work. Multiple MV Energy Hatches will cause the EBF to expect overclocking to HV, the same way it did when initially set up with two LV Energy Hatches to achieve MV.

Upgrading the Voltage

120 EU/t is insufficient power to smelt many recipes, the most important one being stainless steel. The EBF must be supplied with 4 amps of MV into two MV Energy Hatches to achieve 480EU/t, the required power for stainless steel. Keep in mind that running 120 EU/t recipes (such as aluminium or steel) will consume TWICE as much power at 480 EU/t. It may be desirable to set up a second EBF dedicated to higher power recipes if resources allow.

Heating Coils

Coils determine what recipes the EBF can do, and how well it does them. Some recipes will require more heat than Cupronickel coils provide. For instance, Energetic Alloy requires 2200K, while Cupronickel Coils only provide 1800K- thus, a EBF cannot smelt Energetic Alloy until its coils are upgraded. An EBF or group of wallsharing EBF's can only have one coil type.

An extra bonus value will be added to your EBF's heat capacity of 100K * (energy tier - 2), where LV is tier 1, MV is tier 2, etc. This will allow some items to be smelted more efficiently at certain tiers, as described below. The basic setup of two LV Energy Hatches @ 2A each is MV level energy, which simply wipes out the - 2 penalty. With an HV Energy Hatch or two MV Hatches, the EBF has a 100K heat bonus. The Portable Scanner can be used to read an EBF's heat capacity and energy tier.

Gas Recovery

The Output Hatch is optional and will collect waste gasses for some recipes (C02/CO/SO2), mostly ore dusts. The amount collected is based on the tier of the Muffler Hatch and at LV it will get nothing (0%); a MV Muffler recovers 13% of the possible total. The quantities shown in NEI are for the 'best' Output Hatch (UHV).

Automation

Thankfully, automating an EBF is extremely easy. Input hatches accept fluids from any pipe, or manually in the GUI using cells. Input buses accept items from item pipes or hoppers. Output Hatches will auto-output fluids into pipes, while Output Buses will push into any container, item pipe or hopper. Busses and Hatches only auto push/pull from the face marked with four small arrows around a hole. As of 2.4.0, the EBF will shut down by default if there is no space for the recipe output. This behavior can be changed by adjusting the Void Mode in the controller. Only set items and/or fluids to void if they are not wanted.

Wallsharing

Multiple Electric Blast Furnaces can be built using less resources by Wallsharing. Like the Bricked Blast Furnace, a wallshared EBF can share one or two sides of blocks with another adjacent EBF. The same type of Coil must be used across all wallshared furnaces, and due to their high Pollution output consideration should be given to the build location. Maintenance Hatches cannot be shared and it's not recommended to share Energy Hatches due to the EBF's high power demands.

Troubleshooting

Runs for a while, or for only a second, and then turns off, usually deleting inputs in the process

  • Make sure enough EU is being supplied. See the Power section for details.
  • Make sure if your using Advanced Mufflers that they have air filters in, tier 2 air filters after IV mufflers.

Won't start, or flashes a green light but does nothing when turned on

  • Hit the EBF with a Soft Mallet to enable it.
  • Check the recipe using NEI. Many items/gasses/fluids look similar.
    • Check that the correct processing gas/fluid is in the Input Hatch.
    • And all the items are present in sufficient quantity in the Input Bus.
  • Check the proper programmed circuit / ghost circuit is set in the Input Bus.
    • Check the gas (or secondary ingredient) and item combination matches the set circuit.
  • Make sure the Muffler Hatch is not blocked by another block.
  • Make sure the Muffler Hatch is facing out.
  • It could also be caused by the EBF not getting any power at all.
    • Check that cables are connected.
    • Ensure generators/battery buffers are pointed in the correct direction.
    • See if there are any accidental plates/foils applied to GT block faces - remove with Crowbar.

Structure Incomplete

  • Try breaking the controller and replacing it.
  • Check that nothing has occupied the interior of the EBF, such as invisible lighting blocks.
  • If the EBF has never formed before, check that all the blocks are in the correct place and orientation. Muffler must face out, Controller must face forward.

Outputs Full

  • Output Bus is full and void protection is on.
  • There is no Output Hatch that can accept gasses - one is needed on the top layer of the EBF for gas.

Tips

  • EBFs can share walls, just like the BBF. They can also share input and output hatches. Energy hatches sometimes have issues if shared, so recommendation is to not share them.
  • There can also be more than one input hatch or bus. This way you can dedicate one hatch per input gas.
  • Do not mix different types of Heating Coils; the EBF will not work.

External Links