diff --git a/ezidapp/management/commands/opensearch-update.py b/ezidapp/management/commands/opensearch-update.py
index f192e8e4..6f354b37 100644
--- a/ezidapp/management/commands/opensearch-update.py
+++ b/ezidapp/management/commands/opensearch-update.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 urllib3.disable_warnings(InsecureRequestWarning)
 # end suppression of urllib3 InsecureRequestWarning
 
-SPLIT_SIZE = 5
+SPLIT_SIZE = 10
 DB_PAGE_SIZE = 100
 
 # run: python manage.py opensearch-update
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def handle(self, *args, **options):
             start_after_id = options['starting_id']
         else:
             start_after_id = 0
-
+        
         # Also adding additional filtering for additional criteria with a Q object that may be neutral or contain
         # time-based criteria to limit number or results.
 
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ def _bulk_update_pair(identifier: SearchIdentifier) -> str:
     def _do_bulk_update(string_parts: list) -> bool:
         json_string = "\n".join(string_parts) + "\n"  # must have a trailing newline
 
+        OpenSearchDoc.CLIENT.ping()            # OpenSearch keepalive
         response = OpenSearchDoc.CLIENT.bulk(body=json_string)
 
         # Check the response
diff --git a/impl/open_search_doc.py b/impl/open_search_doc.py
index cd320c2d..207122ae 100644
--- a/impl/open_search_doc.py
+++ b/impl/open_search_doc.py
@@ -50,7 +50,10 @@ class OpenSearchDoc:
         use_ssl=True,
         verify_certs=True,
         ssl_assert_hostname=False,
-        ssl_show_warn=False
+        ssl_show_warn=False,
+        timeout=30,
+        max_retries=3,
+        retry_on_timeout=True
     )
 
     def __init__(self, identifier: Identifier):