Does it improve matters if you have spare power plant capacity?

[CMDR Jago Kain]

From what i tested in the very limited time i invested in this feature,
the pp will not cool off quicker, because heat efficiency is shared along
same rated modules, but the base starting heat will be some percentages lower.

I can confirm the last part, about the base heat. I turned off my AFMU and cargo hatch earlier and my resting heat level is now some percentiles lower.

 

[Devari]

I used a 6A power plant in my Python because it powers everything and has some to spare. More than "some" juice, in fact.

However, as I discovered the first time I was interdicted, 3 Large beams + 2 Medium Autocannons caused a "WARNING: TEMPERATURE CRITICAL" message after 5 seconds of lighting up my opponent.

So I take it that using an undersized power plant is a bad idea if you intend to fight anything. Heat issues. I'm installing a 7A power plant today.

I have been running a 6A power plant in my Python since I bought it to save weight and rebuy cost. I have noticed my Python tends to run hot but with 2 x Incendiary multis and dirty drives I sort of expected this. I haven't made the jump to a 7A plant because I was under the impression that if I could power everything there would be no particular need to use a larger plant. I still don't understand how the large plant keeps your ship "cooler" if it has the same thermal rating. Like I said keeping hardpoints stowed does nothing to reduce your base heat, and yet you should have something like 20% "spare" power (or more depending on your build) when your hardpoints are stowed. Am I missing something here about the heat mechanic? It doesn't make sense to me that a smaller power plant with the same thermal rating should run "hotter" than a larger plant.