Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Hardware => Topic started by: Spotswood on August 08, 2013, 03:54:48 AM



Title: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on August 08, 2013, 03:54:48 AM
I'm starting this thread to determine whether there is interest for a 3U (or taller?) case for Bitfury's ASICs.

Unlike all my other offerings (e.g. All aluminum open air case for BitFury ASICs (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=267713.msg2862957#msg2862957)), this case will be fully enclosed and rack mountable.

These cases are unique in that they are very modular (just like the BitFury), allowing you to grow/shrink your rig as needed.  You could even bolt two shallow cases together.  :o  And of course, they could be shipped flat-packed or fully assembled.

Here's a very rough pass of the component layouts of two variations: one with a 1U PSU and another with a standard ATX PSU.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV1a_zpse7513152.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV1a_zpse7513152.jpg.html)

I have the Pi(s) at the very back of the case, but am wondering if they even make a cable long enough to connect them to the m-board(s).
 
Thoughts?


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury ASICs
Post by: Xian01 on August 08, 2013, 04:28:02 AM
Make this enclosed, and I'd be interested in one for an October order.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on August 08, 2013, 04:10:08 PM
bump


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: -Redacted- on August 08, 2013, 05:45:17 PM
I'm starting this thread to determine whether there is interest for a 3U (or taller?) case for Bitfury's ASICs.

Unlike all my other offerings (e.g. All aluminum open air case for BitFury ASICs (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=267713.msg2862957#msg2862957)), this case will be fully enclosed and rack mountable.

These cases are unique in that they are very modular (just like the BitFury), allowing you to grow/shrink your rig as needed.  You could even bolt two shallow cases together.  :o  And of course, they could be shipped flat-packed or fully assembled.

Here's a very rough pass of the component layouts of two variations: one with a 1U PSU and another with a standard ATX PSU.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV1_zpsc601f075.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV1_zpsc601f075.jpg.html)

I have the Pi(s) at the very back of the case, but am wondering if they even make a cable long enough to connect them to the m-board(s).
 
Thoughts?

It is not recommended to use a GPIO extender cable more than a few inches long with an application that uses SPI protocol.  Adafruit sells a one foot GPIO extension but warns that it may cause issues and mentions several of their for-sale items that it is not compatible with for that reason.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: af_newbie on August 08, 2013, 05:49:02 PM
Looks good.  Can you make them for $200-300 or so?


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on August 08, 2013, 06:48:37 PM

It is not recommended to use a GPIO extender cable more than a few inches long with an application that uses SPI protocol.  Adafruit sells a one foot GPIO extension but warns that it may cause issues and mentions several of their for-sale items that it is not compatible with for that reason.

Ok.  So we need bulkhead fittings for the network cable, USB, and anything else?


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: optimator on August 08, 2013, 06:53:33 PM
I'm interested. For October as well.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: bkpduke on August 08, 2013, 08:45:06 PM
Looks great!  I will be down for one that holds 2 kits (left side on your image).

3U height, and 2 full hash kits makes the downside of a 1U PSU a nice trade off.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: pixl8tr on August 08, 2013, 08:50:17 PM
Nice design.  I Am interested in one if the $$ is right.  ( below $200)


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: minternj on August 08, 2013, 09:24:11 PM
With the M board in that orientation, isn't that blocking the air flow? Guess it doesn't matter if its open case, just not the best i guess,


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on August 08, 2013, 09:42:30 PM
With the M board in that orientation, isn't that blocking the air flow? Guess it doesn't matter if its open case, just not the best i guess,

This case will be fully enclosed.  The new m-board is smaller, so there would be 38mm of open space above and blow it for air circulation.

Otherwise, I could make this 4U.  ;D





Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: bkpduke on August 08, 2013, 10:08:15 PM
With the M board in that orientation, isn't that blocking the air flow? Guess it doesn't matter if its open case, just not the best i guess,

This case will be fully enclosed.  The new m-board is smaller, so there would be 38mm of open space above and blow it for air circulation.

Otherwise, I could make this 4U.  ;D


Agreed.  Even the old M-board was not wide enough to restrict air-pressure in an enclosed case.  Especially with a push-pull fan design like what you have laid out.  This will be a wind tunnel.  :)


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 02, 2013, 02:47:55 PM
Here's the current state of the rack mountable case for (one) BitFury rig:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV2_zps5dabc9c5.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury%203U%20Case/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV2_zps5dabc9c5.jpg.html)

  • It seems that the BF's aren't generating a lot of heat, so I went back to a standard PSU and front-only fans (92mm).
  • The front and back sheeting will be perforated aluminum.
  • On the back, there will be a bulkhead fitting for an RJ45 connector.
  • A rPi connector cable will be required in order to connect to the m-board.



Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 03, 2013, 11:19:54 PM

Dual rig version:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV3_zpsf9c8d51c.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury3UEnclosedCaseV3_zpsf9c8d51c.jpg.html)





Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: benny32 on September 06, 2013, 08:12:44 PM
I'd be interested pending price.  Do you have any idea on what the dual rig will run?


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: allten on September 06, 2013, 08:26:13 PM
This is great. I've been thinking about something similar the last few days.

What if there was a back plane PCB engineered that had mounting holes? Could
you stand the miner up and fit three of them together without fans in between? At least
that is what I was envisioning.

thanks.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 06, 2013, 09:52:50 PM
This is great. I've been thinking about something similar the last few days.

What if there was a back plane PCB engineered that had mounting holes? Could
you stand the miner up and fit three of them together without fans in between? At least
that is what I was envisioning.

thanks.

 ???  Sorry, but I don't understand.  Please post a sketch.



Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: allten on September 06, 2013, 11:35:01 PM
This is great. I've been thinking about something similar the last few days.

What if there was a back plane PCB engineered that had mounting holes? Could
you stand the miner up and fit three of them together without fans in between? At least
that is what I was envisioning.

thanks.

 ???  Sorry, but I don't understand.  Please post a sketch.



Just goggled 3u Server case and realized that you would probably not be able to stand it up.
Laying the miner sideways doesn't seem to provide good airflow.

I am interested in a case where you can fit 3 Bitfurry Miners though. 3u server chases wouldn't be suitable.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 06, 2013, 11:39:18 PM
This is great. I've been thinking about something similar the last few days.

What if there was a back plane PCB engineered that had mounting holes? Could
you stand the miner up and fit three of them together without fans in between? At least
that is what I was envisioning.

thanks.

 ???  Sorry, but I don't understand.  Please post a sketch.



Just goggled 3u Server case and realized that you would probably not be able to stand it up.
Laying the miner sideways doesn't seem to provide good airflow.

I am interested in a case where you can fit 3 Bitfurry Miners though. 3u server chases wouldn't be suitable.

I'm also working on an open-air tray with a width to fit a 19-inch rack and a depth to hold 3 rigs (and a PSU).


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: xstr8guy on September 07, 2013, 02:55:18 AM
This is what I want.  Take my money!  Seriously, count me in for a single unit.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: allten on September 07, 2013, 03:29:14 AM
This is great. I've been thinking about something similar the last few days.

What if there was a back plane PCB engineered that had mounting holes? Could
you stand the miner up and fit three of them together without fans in between? At least
that is what I was envisioning.

thanks.

 ???  Sorry, but I don't understand.  Please post a sketch.



Just goggled 3u Server case and realized that you would probably not be able to stand it up.
Laying the miner sideways doesn't seem to provide good airflow.

I am interested in a case where you can fit 3 Bitfurry Miners though. 3u server chases wouldn't be suitable.

I'm also working on an open-air tray with a width to fit a 19-inch rack and a depth to hold 3 rigs (and a PSU).


Awesome! Can't wait.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: benny32 on September 18, 2013, 04:44:51 PM
Any update on availability price for the dual/triple rig setups?  Your stuff looks pretty amazing and I'm looking for something for my october kits.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 18, 2013, 09:49:22 PM
Any update on availability price for the dual/triple rig setups?  Your stuff looks pretty amazing and I'm looking for something for my october kits.

$250 for the open-air triple i.e. no sheeting.  This version is just wide enough to where it could sit on a shelf in a rack.  120mm fans could be mounted in front of each rig and a couple of PSUs along the back.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/Bitfury%20ASIC%20tray/BitfuryASICTrayVersion3openrackr1_zpse9c743cd.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/Bitfury%20ASIC%20tray/BitfuryASICTrayVersion3openrackr1_zpse9c743cd.jpg.html)

And stackable, of course.   ::)


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Syke on September 19, 2013, 02:55:31 AM
$250 for the open-air triple i.e. no sheeting.  This version is just wide enough to where it could sit on a shelf in a rack.  120mm fans could be mounted in front of each rig and a couple of PSUs along the back.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/Bitfury%20ASIC%20tray/BitfuryASICTrayVersion3openrackr1_zpse9c743cd.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/Bitfury%20ASIC%20tray/BitfuryASICTrayVersion3openrackr1_zpse9c743cd.jpg.html)

And stackable, of course.   ::)

That looks good. How tall is it, 5U?


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on September 19, 2013, 04:42:30 AM

That looks good. How tall is it, 5U?

Yes, 5U.


Title: Re: Gauging interest for a modular 3U server case for BitFury miners
Post by: Spotswood on October 25, 2013, 05:51:20 PM
First pics.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury%203U%20Case/th_Rackcase2-640_zps6751d0fb.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury%203U%20Case/Rackcase2-640_zps6751d0fb.jpg.html)

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww153/Spotswood_/BitFury%203U%20Case/th_Rackcase1-640_zpsb5f63351.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/user/Spotswood_/media/BitFury%203U%20Case/Rackcase1-640_zpsb5f63351.jpg.html)