Heat rating of 4A vs. 5A PP?

[FAAmecanic]

Does it matter with heat handling characteristics between a 4A and 5A power plants? Is the difference only in power output?

I ask because the difference in jump range between a 4A and 5A power plant in my ExplORCA is only like .20 Ly.... so if a 5A handles heat better then a 4A I will take the loss. If it doesn't then I will take the 4A....

 

[Alex Traut]

A-rated is A-rated. I run with a 2A on my Asp.

 

[Ziljan]

CMDR Murishani posted experimental results from a test a while back regarding the resting heat production of various power plants. It did not include heat tolerance near an external source such as a Corona, Contact Binary, or Neutron Star. But in my experience having a smaller power planet does seem to create less heat increase when inside a corona, though I don't have any solid numbers like below to back this intuition up. You will notice however that is there is a 1% difference between resting heat for Class A power plants:

Ok so did some testing,

Subject:
I bought a brand new Diamond Back Scout, for the sake of testing I left it exactly as it comes from the factory and only swapped the power supply to gauge the effect of the PP on operating temps.

Testing Method:
I would swap the power supply, fly out from the station, make sure all modules were activated, park and let the ship sit for a few minutes to come to neutral. This is the "on" reading.
I would then deactivate every module except the PP and allow the ship to sit until I had 1:00 left on the life support to get the "off" reading and gauge the heat being generated by the PP alone.

All measurements taken with neutral pips (2/2/2) just outside the no-fire zone of Goldstein, Lembava. (on a side note I'm not sure if direct sun effects temperature, if it does, these results are bad as some were taken in sun and some were not)


A4(15.6 MW eff B)
18% on
4% off

B4(14.3 MW eff C)
17% on
3% off

C4(13 MW Eff C)
20% on
3% off

D4(11.7 MW eff D)
23% on
2% off

E4(10.4MW eff F):
26% on
3% off

A3(12mw eff A)
17% on
3% off

B3(11mw eff C)
19% on
2% off

C3(10mw eff C)
19% on
2% off

D3 (9mw eff D)
23% on
4% off

E3(8mw eff F)
27% on
4% off

A2(9.6 MW eff B)
16% on
2% off

B2(8.8mw eff C)
18% on
2% off

C2(8 mw eff C)
18% on
4% off

D2(7.2 MW eff D)
22% on
4% off

E2(too little power to test accurately)

 

[FAAmecanic]

So it appears a 1% diff between levels of PP.... not a big deal when considering exploration and weight. Better off with the minimum A PP you can go with to power just what you need. Thanks!