Power configuration determines node reliability. The wrong sleep settings can silently break routing, cause missed messages, or drain batteries.
Caution:
Infrastructure nodes should not sleep. If a router or repeater sleeps, it stops forwarding traffic while asleep and creates inconsistent coverage.
Three Common Power Profiles
Always On Infrastructure
- Role: Client (often) or Router or Repeater if truly high site
- Sleep: off
- MQTT: off unless you have a strong reason
Battery Handheld
- Role: Client
- Sleep: optional, based on your usage
- Location: live, consider longer update intervals
Solar Remote Node
- Role: Client
- Sleep: recommended
- MQTT: off
- Location: fixed, long interval
General Guidance
- Disable WiFi and Bluetooth when not needed to reduce power draw
- Do not use MQTT on power constrained nodes
- Longer location intervals reduce traffic and power usage
- Test your node overnight before deploying remote