On this tutorial I will show you how to install and configure TLP and Intel P-state and CPUFreq Manager on your ThinkPad P1 Gen 2 (with KDE Arch).
If you don’t know, TLP allows you to configure specific rules to help optimize the battery life on your laptop, while Intel P-state and CPUFreq Manager gives you a pretty interface via a tray icon that allows you to control CPU/GPU frequencies and a few power profiles.
TLP
Using TLP’s threshold functionality we can change the charge thresholds for the battery. On ThinkPads the charging process is controlled by the embedded controller (EC) firmware (instead of software running on the operating system). Lenovo’s default settings start charging when the battery drops below 96%, and stops at 100%. This is good for “performance” but it deteriorates the battery causing a shorter lifespan. By changing the battery charge thresholds with TLP we can extend the lifespan of the battery.
Note: Lithium-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effect like NiCd and NiMH batteries. See the quote below (https://batteryuniversity.com) for an explanation
A lithium-ion battery provides 300-500 discharge/charge cycles. The battery prefers a partial rather than a full discharge. Frequent full discharges should be avoided when possible. Instead, charge the battery more often or use a larger battery. There is no concern of memory when applying unscheduled charges.
Installation
This part is very simple. Install the following packages and then reboot:
=> Main
tlpacpi_callsmartmontools
=> AUR
tlpui-git
Configuration
a. Run tlpui and go to the ‘ThinkPad Battery’ tab on the left
b. Set the following parameters/options
START_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0
Value = 50/60
This is the threshold of when the battery will start charging. If you set it to 50 the battery will only start charging when it’s below 50%.
STOP_CHARGE_THRESH_BAT0
Value = 70/80
This is the value of when the battery will stop charging. If you set it to 80 the battery will stop charging when close to %80.
RESTORE_THRESHOLDS_ON_BAT
Value = enabled
When you bypass the charge thresholds with a TLP command you would usually need to reboot your machine to reset the thresholds. When RESTORE_THRESHOLDS_ON_BAT is enabled the configured thresholds will be restored when the power is unplugged.
This is useful if you need to fully charge your battery for a meeting, or to work in a place where you know you won’t have a power outlet.
NATACPI_ENABLE
Value = enabled
TPACPI_ENABLE
Value = enabled
TPSMAPI_ENABLE
Value = disabled
tp_smapi doesn’t support newer models, so we need to disable this.
c. Go back to the ‘General’ tab and enable TLP_ENABLE
d. Click on ‘save’ and reboot
Additional TLP Commands
Get a full report from TLP
sudo tlp-stat
Get a report with battery information only
sudo tlp-stat -b
Temporarily bypass the current config and use specified threshold
sudo tlp setcharge [start threshold] [stop threshold]
Bypass thresholds and fully charge battery
sudo tlp fullcharge
Bypass the start threshold and charge up to the stop threshold
sudo tlp chargeonce
Intel P-state and CPUFreq Manager
a. Install plasma5-applets-plasma-pstate (AUR)
b. Add the widget to your panel
c. Done! You should now be able to use the widget for basic control
Reference:
