diff --git a/pioreactor/background_jobs/led_automation.py b/pioreactor/background_jobs/led_automation.py
index 6493ade4..6bbc758c 100644
--- a/pioreactor/background_jobs/led_automation.py
+++ b/pioreactor/background_jobs/led_automation.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ def set_led_intensity(self, channel: pt.LedChannel, intensity: pt.LedIntensityVa
             A float between 0-100, inclusive.
 
         """
-        attempts = 12
+        attempts = 6
         for _ in range(attempts):
             success = led_intensity(
                 {channel: intensity},
diff --git a/pioreactor/background_jobs/od_reading.py b/pioreactor/background_jobs/od_reading.py
index 81c8e4f6..4b9c5e69 100644
--- a/pioreactor/background_jobs/od_reading.py
+++ b/pioreactor/background_jobs/od_reading.py
@@ -981,7 +981,7 @@ def _determine_best_ir_led_intensity(
             initial_ir_intensity / culture_on_signal * 3.0
         ) / 50  # divide by N since the culture is unlikely to Nx.
 
-        ir_intensity_max = 85.0
+        ir_intensity_max = 80.0
         return min(ir_intensity_max, ir_intensity_argmax_ANGLE_can_be, ir_intensity_argmax_REF_can_be)
 
     def _prepare_post_callbacks(self) -> list[Callable]:
diff --git a/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_automation.py b/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_automation.py
index d194ce03..656abcd4 100644
--- a/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_automation.py
+++ b/pioreactor/tests/test_temperature_automation.py
@@ -117,6 +117,20 @@ def test_setting_pid_control_after_startup_will_start_some_heating() -> None:
         assert t.heater_duty_cycle > 0
 
 
+def test_setting_heat_is_turned_off_when_paused() -> None:
+    # this test tries to replicate what a user does in the UI
+    experiment = "test_setting_pid_control_after_startup_will_start_some_heating"
+    with Thermostat(unit=unit, experiment=experiment, target_temperature=35) as t:
+        pause(2)
+        assert t.state == t.READY
+        assert t.heater_duty_cycle > 0
+
+        t.set_state(t.SLEEPING)
+
+        assert t.state == t.SLEEPING
+        assert t.heater_duty_cycle == 0
+
+
 def test_duty_cycle_is_published_and_not_settable() -> None:
     experiment = "test_duty_cycle_is_published_and_not_settable"
     dc_msgs = []