diff --git a/config/config.exs b/config/config.exs
index 06c4c00..9830370 100644
--- a/config/config.exs
+++ b/config/config.exs
@@ -62,12 +62,12 @@ config :aprsme,
   packet_pipeline: [
     # Larger buffer since inserts are async
     max_buffer_size: 5000,
-    # ~32KB per packet, stays within work_mem
-    batch_size: 500,
-    # 2 seconds - longer timeout for larger batches
-    batch_timeout: 2000,
-    # Higher demand to keep pipeline flowing
-    max_demand: 750,
+    # Smaller batch size to reduce memory pressure
+    batch_size: 100,
+    # 1 second timeout for smaller batches
+    batch_timeout: 1000,
+    # Adjust demand for smaller batches
+    max_demand: 300,
     # Number of parallel consumers for better throughput
     num_consumers: 3
   ]
diff --git a/lib/aprsme/packet_consumer.ex b/lib/aprsme/packet_consumer.ex
index e2d0eff..56da883 100644
--- a/lib/aprsme/packet_consumer.ex
+++ b/lib/aprsme/packet_consumer.ex
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ defmodule Aprsme.PacketConsumer do
     start_time = System.monotonic_time(:millisecond)
 
     # Chunk size optimized for PostgreSQL work_mem=16MB
-    # With ~32KB per packet, we can fit ~500 packets in work_mem
-    chunk_size = Application.get_env(:aprsme, :packet_pipeline)[:batch_size] || 500
+    # Using smaller batches to reduce memory pressure
+    chunk_size = Application.get_env(:aprsme, :packet_pipeline)[:batch_size] || 100
 
     # Use Stream for memory-efficient processing
     results =
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ defmodule Aprsme.PacketConsumer do
     end
 
     # Always do minor GC after large batches to prevent memory accumulation
-    if length(packets) > 500 do
+    if length(packets) > 100 do
       :erlang.garbage_collect(self(), type: :minor)
     end