AHA! I think I'm on to something - but it could be just me.
1) I can manually manipulate the screen on or off with this to confirm functionality:
2) HOWEVER, if I am in always-fresh mode, I can manipulate the dpms timeouts and see my changes with xset -q, BUT they never activate! The ability to manipulate OFF/Standby etc, but not have the timeouts work, despite being reported in xset -q is what is throwing me.
3) BUT, when I boot in graphical mode, with a savefile, when I do make changes to the dpms timeouts they work as expected.
Now I just have to see if this logic works in reverse in Porteus. This could just be a major local PEBCAK. Will report later...
**[UPDATE]** Sorry for all the xset noise...
Started with a totally fresh install of PortueX LXQT stable.
Whether I use always fresh, or with a savefile, xset dpms 600 600 600 does not work. Or any other value like 60 60 60.
But, my hunch tells me that using xscreensaver, even just one time, and totally removing it and it's .xscreensaver file, still leaves a bit flipped somewhere in the savefile that allows for the dpms timings to now be actively set by the user, and not just reported by xset q. My Porteus 5.01 may be similarly tainted. Later on that.
[UPDATE 2] - gonna' let this one go. Now I'm crashing the lxqt panel and more on startup. To the point where all I have left is a cool openbox menu to shut down again. Pretty neat, beats going to the VT to do it.
Just know this isn't griping - I'm actually having a lot of FUN and learning stuff in the process. Thanks porteux!