Circuit network chests

[bradwiggo]

I have some chests full of iron plates with red wire connected to inserter, and it is all connected to a chest with copper plates in it. The chest with copper in is half full. How do I get the chests with iron plates to empty until they have the same amount in as the chest with copper plates?

See image for picture of what I am talking about:

[DaveMcW]

Attach the copper chest to an arithmetic combinator. Copper * -1 → Iron.

Disconnect everything else from the copper chest, and connect it to the arithmetic combinator output instead. Set the inserters to operate when Iron > 0.

[Frightning]

I have some chests full of iron plates with red wire connected to inserter, and it is all connected to a chest with copper plates in it. The chest with copper in is half full. How do I get the chests with iron plates to empty until they have the same amount in as the chest with copper plates?

See image for picture of what I am talking about:

If I understand what you're trying to do w/ these inserters right, you want them operate unless the number of plates in them is 50% or less of full chest (2400 plates)? If so, then the 'reference chest' with copper plates in it is unnecessary, you can simply wire the inserters each to the chest they draw from and then set the inserter's condition to be iron plates>2400 (to set the number part, click on the right box and look at bottom of menu that pops up, and left click where is says 0 in a textbox near the word 'set'. Backspace the number 0, then enter the amount you want and click set. Voila! (also be sure to set the symbol in between to > and the left box to iron plates)

[bradwiggo]

Attach the copper chest to an arithmetic combinator. Copper * -1 → Iron.

Disconnect everything else from the copper chest, and connect it to the arithmetic combinator output instead. Set the inserters to operate when Iron > 0.

I did this and only the first chest has iron plates left it in, the others are completely empty. Do i need a separate combinator for each chest?

[DaveMcW]

If you want each chest to be independent, you need a separate circuit for each chest. This can be done by changing the inserter-to-chest wire to green, and leaving the combinator-to-inserter wire red.