Ship Builds & Load Outs Heat Efficiency stat question

[hendawg]

Currently have a B5 power plant with Heat Efficiency C, Power Capacity 18.70MW. Deployed Usage is 11.74MW so I'm well under my power requirements.

I'm looking at changing to an A4 power plant with Heat Efficiency B, Power Capacity 15.40MW.

My question is, will the B-rated Heat Efficiency mean overheating takes longer, despite the total Power Capactiy being less? It's just so I can stay in silent running a bit longer while smuggling and save some weight to increase my jump distance. With so much power going unused anyway I'd be happy to lose some for a bit of extra time before I take heat damage and a touch longer jump range. And would this also have an effect on how quickly I take heat damage from outside sources like stars?

Can't seem to find a good explanation of Heat Efficiency anywhere in the forums or elsewhere online, so apologies if this has been raised before.

 

[Ceekay]

In my experience on several ships (Python; 5A, FAS; 5A) using top grade power plants one or two classes below the slot class can result in cooler running ships, the Python heat is around 25 - 26% during deep space SC, the FAS I can't recall but I think it runs under 30%.

http://coriolis.io/outfit/python/05...2242h.AwRj4yoo.IwBj4yrUg===?bn=Python current

The Python without power management is about 103% the FAS is well under 100% but a 4A is just too small with the current loadout, in your case an A3 (12 MW) would do the job and be a lot lighter and a mil cheaper too.

Unless you intend to run lots of Shield boosters and SCB's you can fit a smaller power plant to a lot of ships improving range and agility, however it will limit flexibility if you change loadouts a lot as you might have to change the power plant as well.

It's better spending your cash on the best power distributor as its capacity will impact on weapons, thrusters and shields directly.

 

[hendawg]

Thanks, I'm gonna try that A3. I can get a whole extra LY jump range out of that.

Edit: Yep, that's definitely running cooler for longer. Thanks mate!

 

[Ceekay]

Cool! LOL

 

[Rubbernuke]

using top grade power plants one or two classes below the slot class can result in cooler running ships.

Spot on. In my Anaconda I fitted an A6 PP and the thing ran very cool, even scooping stars and firing weapons. If you don't need the power, this is the way to go.