Automatic Reactor is a term used for reactors which are regulated through mechanisms rather than the player. They are necessary for feasible multi-reactor power systems.
Working
There are two mechanisms per reactor, one for managing temperature, the other for dispensing uranium when it runs out. Rod control is achieved through temperature sensors, which read the reactor's temperature when attached to it, and sends signals when it moves out of range. When used with polysilicons, the signals can be used to lower or raise the control rods.
A sensor set to 0:1000 that sends signals through a blue polysilicon (Mode 1) will lower the rods when the temperature is between 0F and 1000F, increasing temperature. The opposite can be done with a pink polysilicon (Mode 0) and a 1000:1230 temperature range, which will raise them when the temperature is between 1000F and 1230F, therefore decreasing the temperature. The reactor will explode at 1200F, so the pink polysilicon is absolutely necessary.
Additionally, you can place a Mode 2 (Flip-Flop) polysilicon to eject Uranium/NuclearWaste.
To refill a reactor automatically, you need to attach a microcontroller to the reactor, with a port touching a Dispenser and a Polysilicon (Mode2 and has to be touching the reactor). The code will use port ID 1 to read the reactor's fuel status, port ID 2 to control the dispenser and port ID 3 to eject nuclear waste.
local reactor = GetPartFromPort(1, "Reactor")
local dispenser = GetPartFromPort(2, "Dispenser")
while wait() do
local fuel = reactor:GetFuel()
for i = 1, #fuel do
if fuel[i] <= 0 then
TriggerPort(3)
dispenser:Dispense()
wait(1)
end
end
end
Note: Microcontrollers have to be powered to function.