Talk:Power pack

Power Pack vs Power Cell
There needs to be a more descript line drawn between power pack and power cell, since we have articles on both, and then this article also refers to itself as both. --Alan del Beccio 03:40, 2 October 2006 (UTC)


 * The only "power pack" references are in, , and one script note in  . From the reference in TAS, it seems to be the same kind of thing as the phaser power cells in . I would say that these can just be merged and one can redirect. About "power pack" being the older term, "power cell" was used in ENT, so it depends on what you consider older. --Bp 16:56, 2 October 2006 (UTC)


 * The primary "power pack" reference in TOS is primarily (multiple uses).  I'd forgotten about the reference in WNMHGB, but it's clear in context that said reference is in conjunction with something FAR bigger than a phaser "clip", as it the "Ambergris" reference.  Power packs are also mentioned in DS9's "Seige of AR-558", again in reference to small power supplies.


 * I'd need specific cites about power cells from ENT, but inreal life usage power pack is the prior term, and seems to have the most references.Capt Christopher Donovan 19:37, 2 October 2006 (UTC)
 * It seems power cell is the term used more often all over the series. I found 34 episodes mentioning power cells, including, , , , and , for example. --Jörg 22:58, 2 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Despite several references for power cell being fairly generic, I've added most all that I could find in the time I wanted to invest in this. Otherwise, I'm thinking it might be a good idea just to leave the two separate for the sake of not confusing the two, if indeed there is some subtle difference between the two wer are not aware of -- i.e. the useage of both "power pack" and "power cell" in WNMHGB. --Alan del Beccio 00:34, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

Speculation
I removed the following:
 * Since ship-mounted phasers have been mentioned to be tied in to ship's power, but also mentioned to need "recharging", it seems likely that the ship's power is used to charge the power cells, which are the source of the phaser's energy when they are discharged. The task or removing and replacing phaser power cells could explain the various personnel seen working in weapon rooms (TOS: "Balance of Terror"), but the fact that only one cell was discharged during after the "A Time to Stand" battle indicates that they have a considerable service lifetime, thus also explaining how phasers could be fired on automation by ships with skeleton crews (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock).

It seems a bit much like speculation to me, or at least, facts that could use a little more support. --Alan del Beccio 00:34, 3 October 2006 (UTC)