ff38460eeb
- Complete installation and uninstallation scripts - Optimized TLP configuration for maximum battery life - PowerTOP analysis and auto-tune functionality - Real-time battery monitoring with detailed stats - ThinkPad-specific optimizations and battery thresholds - Comprehensive documentation and usage guides - Tested on ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 with 13% power reduction
280 lines
6.0 KiB
Markdown
280 lines
6.0 KiB
Markdown
# TLP Configuration Guide
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## Overview
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TLP (Linux Advanced Power Management) is a feature-rich command line utility for optimizing battery life on Linux laptops. This guide explains the key configuration options and their impact on battery performance.
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## Configuration File Location
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The main configuration file is located at:
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- `/etc/tlp.conf` (system-wide configuration)
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- Backup copies are created as `/etc/tlp.conf.backup.YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS`
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## Key Configuration Sections
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### 1. Operation Modes
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```bash
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# Default operation mode
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TLP_DEFAULT_MODE=BAT
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# Use persistent mode for consistent behavior
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TLP_PERSISTENT_DEFAULT=0
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```
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**Explanation:**
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- `BAT`: Optimizes for battery life
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- `AC`: Optimizes for AC power (performance)
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- `DEF`: Uses kernel defaults
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### 2. CPU Power Management
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```bash
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# CPU frequency governor
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CPU_SCALING_GOVERNOR_ON_AC=powersave
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CPU_SCALING_GOVERNOR_ON_BAT=powersave
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# CPU frequency limits
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CPU_SCALING_MIN_FREQ_ON_BAT=800000
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CPU_SCALING_MAX_FREQ_ON_BAT=1600000
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# Intel P-state settings
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CPU_HWP_ON_BAT=power
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CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_BAT=50
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CPU_BOOST_ON_BAT=0
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Reduces CPU power consumption by 20-40%
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- May slightly reduce performance under heavy loads
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- Automatic scaling based on demand
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### 3. Disk Power Management
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```bash
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# Advanced Power Management levels
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DISK_APM_LEVEL_ON_BAT="128 128"
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# IO scheduler optimization
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DISK_IOSCHED="mq-deadline mq-deadline"
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# AHCI Link Power Management
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AHCI_ALPM_ON_BAT=min_power
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Reduces disk power consumption
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- May increase disk access latency slightly
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- Significant savings for HDDs, moderate for SSDs
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### 4. Graphics Power Management
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```bash
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# Radeon settings (for AMD GPUs)
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RADEON_POWER_PROFILE_ON_BAT=low
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RADEON_DPM_STATE_ON_BAT=battery
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# Intel graphics automatically managed
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Reduces GPU power consumption by 15-30%
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- Lower graphics performance in games/3D applications
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- Minimal impact on desktop usage
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### 5. Wireless Device Management
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```bash
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# WiFi power saving
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WIFI_PWR_ON_BAT=on
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# Bluetooth management
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DEVICES_TO_DISABLE_ON_BAT="bluetooth"
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# Wake on LAN
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WOL_DISABLE=Y
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Reduces wireless power consumption
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- May affect network performance slightly
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- Automatic reconnection when needed
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### 6. USB Power Management
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```bash
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# Enable USB autosuspend
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USB_AUTOSUSPEND=1
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# Exclude critical devices
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USB_BLACKLIST_PRINTER=1
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USB_BLACKLIST_PHONE=0
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Suspends unused USB devices
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- Saves 0.5-2W per device
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- Blacklist prevents issues with specific devices
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### 7. Battery Charge Thresholds (ThinkPad)
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```bash
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# Start charging at 75%
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START_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0=75
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# Stop charging at 80%
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STOP_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0=80
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```
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**Impact:**
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- Extends battery lifespan significantly
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- Reduces available capacity slightly
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- Optimal for plugged-in usage
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## Advanced Optimizations
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### CPU Undervolting
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For advanced users, CPU undervolting can provide additional power savings:
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```bash
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# EXPERIMENTAL - Use with caution
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# PHC_CONTROLS="F:V F:V F:V F:V"
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```
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**Warning:** Only use if you understand the risks. Incorrect values can cause system instability.
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### Custom Scripts
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You can add custom power management commands to:
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- `/etc/tlp.d/` - Additional configuration files
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- Systemd services for startup optimizations
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## Monitoring Configuration Impact
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### Check Current Settings
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```bash
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# Show all TLP settings
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sudo tlp-stat
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# Show specific components
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sudo tlp-stat -p # Processor
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sudo tlp-stat -d # Disks
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sudo tlp-stat -g # Graphics
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sudo tlp-stat -u # USB
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```
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### Measure Power Consumption
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```bash
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# Before configuration changes
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sudo powertop --time=60
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# Apply changes
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sudo tlp start
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# After configuration changes
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sudo powertop --time=60
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```
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## Distribution-Specific Notes
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### Ubuntu/Debian
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- Install with: `sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw`
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- May conflict with `power-profiles-daemon`
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### Fedora/RHEL
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- Install with: `sudo dnf install tlp tlp-rdw`
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- Disable conflicting services
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### Arch Linux
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- Install with: `sudo pacman -S tlp`
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- Enable service: `sudo systemctl enable tlp.service`
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## Laptop-Specific Optimizations
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### ThinkPad
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- Install additional tools: `tp-smapi-dkms acpi-call-dkms`
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- Battery threshold support available
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- Enhanced fan control
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### Dell
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- Use `i8kutils` for fan control
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- BIOS settings may override some options
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### HP
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- Limited hardware support
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- Focus on software optimizations
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## Troubleshooting
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### Common Issues
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1. **TLP not applying settings**
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```bash
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sudo systemctl enable tlp.service
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sudo systemctl start tlp.service
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```
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2. **Settings reset after reboot**
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- Check if other power managers are active
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- Ensure TLP service is enabled
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3. **USB devices not working**
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- Add device IDs to blacklist
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- Check `lsusb` output for device identification
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### Verification Commands
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```bash
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# Check TLP service status
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systemctl status tlp.service
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# Verify configuration syntax
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sudo tlp-stat -c
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# Test specific settings
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cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
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```
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## Performance vs Battery Life
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### Maximum Battery Life Profile
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- All power saving features enabled
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- Significant performance reduction acceptable
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- Target: 30-50% longer battery life
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### Balanced Profile
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- Moderate power saving
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- Minimal performance impact
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- Target: 15-25% longer battery life
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### Performance Profile
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- Limited power saving
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- Maximum performance preserved
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- Target: 5-10% longer battery life
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## Regular Maintenance
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### Monthly Tasks
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- Review power consumption reports
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- Check battery health
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- Update TLP configuration if needed
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### After System Updates
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- Verify TLP service is still running
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- Check for configuration file changes
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- Test critical functionality
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## Best Practices
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1. **Start Conservative**: Begin with moderate settings and adjust gradually
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2. **Monitor Impact**: Use PowerTOP to measure actual improvements
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3. **Document Changes**: Keep track of modifications for troubleshooting
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4. **Test Thoroughly**: Verify all hardware functions correctly
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5. **Regular Updates**: Keep TLP and related tools current
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---
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This configuration guide should be used alongside the main installation and monitoring tools provided in this repository. |