<p>If it is only the balance of your channels that is changing I would assume that your node is routing payments. The lightning network is all about forwarding payments. </p>

<p>So the following explains what could have happened assuming you have two channels to a node A and a node B: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(A)--20sat------40sat--(you)--30sat------50sat--(B)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<ul>
<li>node A has 20 satoshi</li>
<li>your node has 40 satoshi + 30 satoshi = 70 Satoshi</li>
<li>node B has 50 satoshi</li>
</ul>

<p>Let us assume B wants to pay 15 satoshi to A this does work via lightning and via your node. The channels will update their balance: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(A)--35sat------25sat--(you)--45sat------35sat--(B)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning:</p>

<ol>
<li>node A has 35 satoshi</li>
<li>List item</li>
<li>your node has 25 satoshi + 45 satoshi = 70 Satoshi</li>
<li>node B has 35 satoshi</li>
</ol>

<p>Probably your node even takes some routing fee which could have a standard value of at least one satoshi in that case your final balance would look like this</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(A)--35sat------25sat--(you)--46sat------34sat--(B)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>meaning: </p>

<ul>
<li>node A has 35 satoshi</li>
<li>your node has 25 satoshi + 46 satoshi = 71 Satoshi</li>
<li>node B has 34 satoshi</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-22T22:44:24.397Z
2019-01-22T22:44:24.397Z
Rene Pickhardt
<p>I'm running a full node as well as a Lightning Node with 4 channels open. I also have incoming ports enabled. I've noticed that my balance varies daily by a few thousand Sats. I'm new to running a node so wondered if someone could explain why this happens (or maybe link me to an article explaining).</p>

<p>Many thanks...</p>

<lightning-network><full-node>
Lightning?full node question
assemblyworker
# Lightning?full node question

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-22)

I'm running a full node as well as a Lightning Node with 4 channels open. I also have incoming ports enabled. I've noticed that my balance varies daily by a few thousand Sats. I'm new to running a node so wondered if someone could explain why this happens (or maybe link me to an article explaining).

Many thanks...

**Tags:** lightning-network, full-node


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-22. Score: 1

If it is only the balance of your channels that is changing I would assume that your node is routing payments. The lightning network is all about forwarding payments.

So the following explains what could have happened assuming you have two channels to a node A and a node B:

> (A)--20sat------40sat--(you)--30sat------50sat--(B)

meaning:

* node A has 20 satoshi
* your node has 40 satoshi + 30 satoshi = 70 Satoshi
* node B has 50 satoshi

Let us assume B wants to pay 15 satoshi to A this does work via lightning and via your node. The channels will update their balance:

> (A)--35sat------25sat--(you)--45sat------35sat--(B)

meaning:

1. node A has 35 satoshi
2. List item
3. your node has 25 satoshi + 45 satoshi = 70 Satoshi
4. node B has 35 satoshi

Probably your node even takes some routing fee which could have a standard value of at least one satoshi in that case your final balance would look like this

> (A)--35sat------25sat--(you)--46sat------34sat--(B)

meaning:

* node A has 35 satoshi
* your node has 25 satoshi + 46 satoshi = 71 Satoshi
* node B has 34 satoshi


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