diff --git a/minimateplus/client.py b/minimateplus/client.py
index 0ad4e1e..72e05de 100644
--- a/minimateplus/client.py
+++ b/minimateplus/client.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class MiniMateClient:
         self,
         port: str,
         baud: int = 38_400,
-        timeout: float = 5.0,
+        timeout: float = 15.0,
         transport: Optional[BaseTransport] = None,
     ) -> None:
         self.port    = port
diff --git a/minimateplus/protocol.py b/minimateplus/protocol.py
index b32baa5..1d684ef 100644
--- a/minimateplus/protocol.py
+++ b/minimateplus/protocol.py
@@ -80,9 +80,10 @@ DATA_LENGTHS: dict[int, int] = {
     # NOT handled here — requires specialised read logic.
 }
 
-# Default timeout values (seconds)
-DEFAULT_RECV_TIMEOUT = 3.0
-POLL_RECV_TIMEOUT    = 2.0
+# Default timeout values (seconds).
+# MiniMate Plus is a slow device — keep these generous.
+DEFAULT_RECV_TIMEOUT = 10.0
+POLL_RECV_TIMEOUT    = 10.0
 
 
 # ── Exception ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────