Originally Posted by
AdrianM
I disagree about the pod cooling. If you temp your pod plate you will find its the same temp as your motor. That means its helping. Aluminum is the 2nd best conductor of heat (Copper is #1) and the motor pod plate has a significant amount if surface area capable of radiating heat.
Just like sedans the cooler you can make the motor the more gear it can carry without fading late in a race. I want to try putting a fan on my motor to see if I can go faster.
I also believe the motor pod adds useful area for heat dissipation, and every little bit helps.
The resistance of copper increases about 0.39% per degree C, and the magnetic strength of neodymium decreases about 0.12% per degree C. If we assume that motor power has an inverse relationship to resistance and a linear relation to the magnet strength, then each degree C rise will reduce power by about 0.5%. Reducing motor temperature by 10C via heat sinking (which is pretty easy to do) gives a 5% increase in motor power. That's quite significant.