Power Generation Basics
Rust has three main power sources:
Solar Panels: Generate up to 20 rW (rust watts) during the day, zero at night. Best used with batteries for 24-hour power. Place them facing south on your roof at an angle.
Wind Turbines: Generate 0-150 rW depending on wind speed and height. Higher placement = more power. Best on top of tall bases or on cliff edges. Wind is inconsistent, so pair with batteries.
Small Generator: Burns Low Grade Fuel to produce 40 rW continuously. Expensive to run but reliable. Best as a backup power source.
Large Batteries: Store up to 600 rWm (rust watt-minutes) of power. Essential for solar setups since panels do not work at night. Connect solar panels -> battery -> devices for reliable 24-hour power.
Auto Turret Setup
Auto turrets are the most important electrical device for base defense. Each turret requires 10 rW of power and ammo to function.
Basic turret circuit: Power Source -> Wire -> Auto Turret. Place turrets behind window bars or on shelves for protection. Load them with 5.56 ammo and authorize your team members.
Turret placement tips: - Place turrets at head height behind window bars so they can shoot out but enemies cannot easily shoot in - Use multiple turrets with overlapping fields of fire - Put turrets on your roof to prevent build-up raids - Place turrets behind doorways to catch raiders who breach your doors - Always keep turrets topped up with ammo -- a turret without ammo is just decoration
Smart Alarm and HBHF Sensor Systems
HBHF Sensors detect players within a configurable range (1-20 meters) and output a signal. Combined with Smart Alarms, they create an early warning system.
Basic alarm circuit: Power -> HBHF Sensor -> Smart Alarm. Set the HBHF to detect unauthorized players (anyone not on your team). The Smart Alarm sends a push notification to your phone via the Rust+ companion app.
Advanced alarm circuit: Power -> HBHF Sensor -> AND gate -> Smart Alarm + Auto Turret. This only triggers when an intruder is detected AND another condition is met (like nighttime via a daylight sensor). You can cascade multiple sensors to create a perimeter detection grid.
Sensor placement: Put HBHF sensors at entry points, on your walls, and near your TC. Cover all approaches to your base. Each sensor draws 1 rW, so 10 sensors = 10 rW of power needed.
Trap Base Circuits
Electrical traps add lethal defense layers to your base:
Tesla Coil: Deals 35 damage per second to anyone within range. Draws 35 rW. Wire it to a pressure pad or HBHF sensor so it only activates when an intruder is present. Power consumption is high, so use a generator or large battery.
Shotgun Trap: Not electrical but worth mentioning -- place these behind doors and in airlocks. They fire when someone steps in front of them.
Flame Turret: Burns anyone in front of it. Uses Low Grade Fuel. Place at entry points facing inward.
Advanced trap circuit: HBHF Sensor -> Blocker (inverted) -> Tesla Coil. The blocker inverts the signal so the Tesla Coil is OFF when your team is near (HBHF detects friendly) and ON when strangers approach. This prevents you from electrocuting yourself.
Logic Gates and Advanced Circuits
For complex systems, Rust provides logic gates:
- AND Gate: Output is active only when BOTH inputs are active
- OR Gate: Output is active when EITHER input is active
- XOR Gate: Output is active when exactly ONE input is active
- Blocker: Passes power through unless the block input is active
- Memory Cell: Stores a state (on/off) that persists until toggled
- Timer: Outputs power for a set duration, then stops
- Counter: Counts input pulses and triggers at a set number
Example: Automated door system. Pressure Pad -> Timer (5 seconds) -> Door Controller. When you step on the pad, the door opens for 5 seconds then closes automatically. Add a Memory Cell to create a toggle switch for manual control.
Power Budget Planning
Plan your power needs before wiring your base:
Common device power requirements: - Auto Turret: 10 rW - Smart Alarm: 1 rW - HBHF Sensor: 1 rW - Ceiling Light: 2 rW - Siren Light: 1 rW - Tesla Coil: 35 rW - Door Controller: 1 rW - Search Light: 10 rW
Example budget for a medium base: - 3 Auto Turrets: 30 rW - 4 HBHF Sensors: 4 rW - 2 Smart Alarms: 2 rW - 6 Ceiling Lights: 12 rW - Total: 48 rW
This requires one wind turbine (average ~60 rW at good height) with a battery backup, or 3 solar panels + 2 large batteries for day/night coverage. Always over-provision by 20-30% for headroom.