7 replies to this topic

[Raptor6789]

How can I find out what the optimal number of single heat sinks I should place on my mech is, and what factors affect this? Also, how would this number vary from single/double heat sinks? The heat-efficiency rating doesn't tell me much, but maybe I just don't know what to look for.

[Seth]

That's just one of those things you will need to test out for yourself. For me, a heat efficiency rating of 1.2 means I have no problem on a cold map but I need to watch myself on a hot one. I have to adjust my play style if the efficiency rating is above or below that.

[Konril]

Honestly, this is somewhat complicated, and there really aren't enough tools in the mechlab itself to really show you how it all works. Frankly, that "heat index" doesn't tell me a whole lot either because of some of the situations it doesn't account for.

I'll analyze a standard medium laser as an example. When fired it generates a beam for 1 second, then needs to recharge for 3 seconds before it can be fired again. Each shot generates 4 heat. So that works out to 4 heat every 4 seconds, or 1 hps (heat per second). Each single heat sink sheds 0.1 hps. So 10 standard heat sinks are just enough to fire a single medium laser non-stop without excess heat. Actually, running and walking do generate heat 0.1 or 0.2 heat per second, so it isn't quite neutral. But definitely close enough.

A jenner with 10 heat sinks that fires 4 medium lasers and that SRM 4 pack (3 heat) at the same time would instantly get 19 heat, which would require 19 seconds to fully dissipate in a normal climate. Bad news indeed, and why a lot of people aim for that double heat sink upgrade ASAP.

It isn't entirely necessary to have all your heat covered. Your mech's heat capacity is 30 +1 for each single heat sink or +1.4 for each double heat sink. So with 10 standard heat sinks and 2 medium lasers, you can fire 10 times before you eventually shut down and it would take about 40 seconds. With frequent breaks for re-positioning, evasion, or simply hunting for new targets, that is something quite workable, and definitely better than simply firing one laser in a brawl.

I don't blame you if it's still clear as mud. A lot of people end up just doing it by feel. Fit your mech with what seems appropriate, see how it performs in a match, then adjust accordingly until you can't improve it any further.

[Cybermech]

Best thing to do is ignore heat efficiency but look at the number of heat sinks to function.
What is the magical number to function in game?
Well it really depends on what size mech your using, lights/medium would not need as many as heavy/assaults (except dragon/cidcada)
Normally most get double heat sinks for their fit.

Jenner-F with 6x ML + 13 DH (double heat sinks) = very hot but efficient death machine
Catapult-A1 with 6x Srm6's + 15 DH = very hot but efficient death machine.

Lights with DH - 11-15
Medium with DH - 13-15
Heavy with DH - 15-20+

I can't answer assaults, I don't pilot them but there are a lot of fits that don't function with DH cause the take up 3 critical slots.
What mech you looking to fit?

[Redshift2k5]

Different players make due with different numbers of heatsinks. It varies wildly with what your build is and how you use it.

The real answer is 'as many as you can fit' but that doesn't exactly help.

Most players will want well over 1.3 efficiency, but some do very well with less heat efficiency and make up for it with skilled pilotting and fire discipline.

Double Heat Sinks almost always give you better heat, 1.4 times the heat efficiency of a single heat sink for the same weight. space becomes a concern, if you have many large weapons (AC-20, gauss rifles, etc) it becomes harder to fit DHS into the mech since space is at a premium.

You can check http://www.mechspecs.com for builds people have posted, and you can use Smurfy online mechlab to test-build your mechs for free http://mwo.smurfy-net.de/mechlab

Edited by Redshift2k5, 02 February 2013 - 05:06 AM.

[KageRyuu]

Pretty much it boils down to feeling it out for yourself, there's really no hard math to it and an acceptable heat efficiency is an entirely subjective thing.

Though generally speaking as a rule of thumb, if you have 16 or fewer heatsinks you'll be best served by DHS in all but the most ballistic heavy builds due to critical space, while if you have tonnage for 23 or more heat sinks or are running a ballistic heavy mech SHS will serve you better as you can squeeze out more heat sinking power at the expense of weight.

Now clearly the lighter the mech and the larger the engine the more useful DHS are as for 250 engines straight out the box you can get 10 or more heat sinks in your engine without sacrificing critical space (considerably fewer heat sinks the smaller the engine is, pretty much 1 heat sink ever 25 rating), with a max of 16 for a 400 rated engine, assuming you have the weight to fit a 400. So that works out to be 14-22.4 SHS that would otherwise need to take up critical space.

While again, a few heavy ballistic mechs might not have the engine size or crit space to efficiently use DHS, or might otherwise have a lot of spare tonnage and crit space.

[Jabilo]

This thread shows how double heat sinks work in the engine and why double heat sinks are amazing, when if you are new they may not seem to be that good.

I found it really helpful:

http://mwomercs.com/...ble-heat-sinks/

[Toolan]

for me Battletech is and was ever Heatmanagement. A Mech with no Overheat danger has not enough weapons

I play allways Energybuilds (often with SRM add) and in every Match I overheat one or two times. Thats the Game.

When I never hear the Heatwarning, I rebuild my Mech Its always living on the edge