could be this:

from ecointalk:

http://www.cryptocoinsnews.com/black-arrow-minion-14nm-asic-tape-out-setdecember-2014/#post-41680


from the article:
"In a world where scam ASIC manufacturers are the norm, how do you show the world that you mean business and will work to release profitable equipment to your customers?

We are not aware of any scam ASIC manufacturers so we cannot comment on this. "



they're not aware of any scam ASIC manufacturers?  good lord.  the whole industry is as dirty as a pig stye after a hurricane.

Death threat?  that's not a death threat.  your products are closer to death threats.

No refund!  Here's your miner!  Run it and burn!  You criticize BA!  Die Customer, DIE!

 

from the quality of their products I would assume they are 420 friendly.

Today's incendiary update:

from ecointalk

http://ecointalk.net/topic/1381-1-x3-unit-overheated-and-one-x1-exploded/

"1 X3 Unit overheated, and one X1 exploded!

So i received my order on Thursday (1 X3 and 2 X1's). Started setting them up yesterday. One X3 unit has been working flawlessly, running stable and seems cool enough.  The other X3 unit, seems to be drawing way to much power.  If i ran it on a circuit that had "anything" else running (>100 Watts), it would throw the breaker for that circuit.  So I ran it on a circuit with nothing else.  After about 10 mins i noticed the room getting really warm. The X3 unit was really, really hot to the touch all over the outer casing. I am pretty sure some sort of failure was imminent, so i have had to turn that off.  (also turned the other one off, due to the fire risk)
 
The x1's had a similar story. I set one up, and that has been running perfectly. The others power-supply exploded as soon as it was plugged in, lots of sparks and smoke!
 
 
Awesome!"







This guy is reporting a similar problem, in that one of his X-3 units is pulling too much power.

Pull the caps out, that'll fix it.  

These people have absolutely no idea what they are doing.  

I would think so too, although he claims they've gone through a few.  

In terms of the issue of these things burning up, it is possible that some of them are drawing too much power, which might cause that.

I can see how this might happen.  Too much power causes the cord to heat, which reduces efficiency.  That causes more power to be drawn, heating them further and so on.  Eventually this leads to meltdown of the cords and is possibly causing the internal components to start on fire also.

The other issue is that this is the same thing that is going on inside your walls and wiring.  Of course the breaker is going to trip normally, which is what he's reporting also.  If it doesn't, however, due to a faulty breaker, which does happen, or someone gets the bright idea to over-fuse without understanding the danger of putting too much load on his wiring, a fire results.  The wire heats up, melts its insulation and arcs.  Boom, you're on fire.

An X-1 user reported that sort of fire also, BTW.  Things kept tripping breakers, so he put a copper rod in.  Burned his garage to the ground.  I'm not sure if he's bullshitting or what, but he hasn't denied the story.

Is that BA's fault?  clearly not, but people are going to do dumb things.  it's the manufacturer's responsibility to make sure the ratings are accurate so these dumb things aren't necessary to keep these things running.  

These people are actually making people pay the shipping to RMA their firebomb components.  I find that very hard to believe.  Ridiculous.  "oh, we nearly burned your house down?  please pay 100 dollars to ship the components to us."  Are you fucking kidding me?

It should also be noted that we're going into winter.  The air is much dryer, and so are the studs and insulation in your home.  Everything becomes much more prone to burn as the humidity disappears.  If anyone is crazy enough to run these in their house, which I am not going to do under any circumstances, it would be a good idea to not run power through your walls.  Put a small hard drop in right next to the panel.  Make sure the breaker is new, etc.    This way if it arcs out it's doing it hopefully in your panel or your short drop of conduit and simply shorts out instead of burning your damn house down.

This is a serious danger to people and from what I'm seeing they're not even recalling them.  telling people to wait and maybe they'll ship some parts out.  They have no idea what is causing the problem, but don't worry, we'll send you a new board and see how that goes.

What a joke.

There is a customer on ecointalk reporting today that his unit melts its power cord.

his hosting company is refusing to run it.

From ecointalk:


"All,
 
Anyone interested in joining a legal action case:
 
Please send to bitcz@outlook.com the following details:
 
Order date
Rough figure on how much was spent ( please do not supply order numbers yet..this will be a job for the legals to obtain directly from you )
Contact details ( Email will suffice at this stage )
Brief paragraph outlining steps you have taken to resolve issue with BA directly ( i.e. direct communication, complaint to consumer council, local better business bureau, local state senator etc.. )
Expected resolution that would satisfy you ( i.e. full refund, delivery of goods etc )
 
I just want to gather enough information to show to the legal team what level of commitment they will have to undertake to start this rolling and how many people will be involved. From this they can gauge how large the suit will be against BA and what it will entail.
 
Bticz"

From ecointalk:

http://ecointalk.net/topic/1348-my-x3-caught-fire/page-6

woobone
Newbie
 
Members
Pip
8 posts
Posted Today, 05:34 AM

"here are some pics of my burned miner look like only 2 hashing cards burned up, the back plane look ok no capacitors are blow or burned."






OK, lexx2k, if this isn't a systemic design issue then why is this customer reporting a fire that is not seemingly related to the caps?


Totally different problem, it would seem.

I was totally wrong, obviously.

Your team has designed a unit for use in people's homes that is starting on fire in multiple places.  And you're giving lectures.

Looking good there BA!

Are you kidding me?  Haven't had time in a month. 

Ridiculous.  More dancing from BA.

Data theft is a serious issue.

Unless of course they know it was someone inside BA or they were responsible in the first place.  Supposedly they are registered in Hong Kong.  Are they saying they have no-one in Hong Kong?  Why are they registered there if that is the case?

exactly. PayPal actively argues for the seller.  if they can justify denial in any way they'll do it.

totally against the law?  so what?  denied.  and once they deny, it is difficult to get them to move again.  basically they make it fairly difficult on the buyer to get anything reversed.

you're better off with the CC company.

see this from paypal:

https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/security/resolve-disputes


Resolving Chargebacks
Chargebacks are initiated and handled by the buyer's credit card issuer – not by PayPal – and therefore will follow that company's regulations and timeframes. PayPal doesn’t decide the validity of the chargeback—that’s the job of the card issuer. PayPal’s role is simply to collect information about the transaction and help you work with the card company to resolve the chargeback.

Buyers can file chargebacks up to 120 days or more after they placed an order
If you receive a chargeback, you’ll have 10 days to answer it
Chargebacks are usually resolved in a few weeks, but can take up to 75 days or more
Here's a quick overview of the chargeback process:

The buyer requests a chargeback from their credit card company.
The credit card company notifies PayPal's merchant bank and debits the funds from PayPal.
PayPal places a hold on the seller's funds related to the chargeback.
PayPal immediately notifies the seller via email and requests information that could help to dispute the chargeback.
PayPal may ask you to provide the information needed to help you resolve the chargeback. As long as you are eligible for PayPal Seller Protection, PayPal will cover your loss even if you lose the chargeback. Learn more about chargebacks

How to Fight a Chargeback

If you've been notified of a chargeback, we'll help you sort it out.

Our team of chargeback specialists can help you build a case to take to the credit card company – assuming you have good reason to dispute it. We'll provide you with all the relevant transaction details and walk you through the steps for submitting information to the credit card company.

Here’s what to do if you receive a chargeback:

Log in to your PayPal account.
Go to the Resolution Center.
Respond to the chargeback notice or (check on the status of an existing one).
Provide PayPal with the information relating to the chargeback, including all transaction records (such as proof of shipment).
The PayPal chargeback specialist will then dispute the chargeback on your behalf and try to recover your funds from the buyer's credit card company.
if the credit card company decides in your favor, the buyer will be charged for the transaction and you'll get your money back.
If the decision is in favor of the buyer, the transaction will be cancelled and the buyer will receive a full refund.
It's PayPal's mission to help you resolve the dispute as quickly and painlessly as possible, but the process can be lengthy, so you'll need to be patient. It typically takes 30 days for PayPal to dispute the chargeback, and it may take your buyer's credit card company up to 75 days to resolve a chargeback and come to a final decision.

Chargeback Coverage with PayPal Dispute Resolution

PayPal may protect you against any future claim, chargeback or bank reversal the buyer files in relation to that particular transaction. To get the protection, you must honor the agreements you made with the buyer during the dispute resolution process. But we won't be able to offer protection if the claim has not been resolved by the time the chargeback is received.

You can call them back.  Tell them the breach occurred after 45 days.  I'd go to my cc company first anyhow, as I've seen documents indicating that PayPal advocates for the seller anyhow.

anyway, I'll repost this for your benefit and others that are looking to get their money back.  From a previous post:


Obviously, I paid via cc, so I was lucky, but for those prepping court docs, I think this applies also.

I obviously pointed out the DSR and quoted the following:

“Under the DSRs, a customer’s right to cancel is unconditional.
If customers cancel before they have received the goods, you must refund the total price of the goods, including any delivery charges.
If they cancel, they can refuse to accept delivery of the goods. This cannot be treated as a breach of contract.”
I obviously cited the DSR and quoted the following: 

DSR is here:  http://dshub.tradingstandards.gov.uk/dsrexplained

I stated that Alpha was not denying that this law would apply to consumers, but rather was trying to recategorize their customers as businesses rather than consumers.

I stated that I was not a business and also that no representation was made by Alpha prior to sale that these sales would be treated as sales to a business.  Further to that I pointed out that the tax brief they repeatedly cite was issued AFTER my purchase and that it clearly states that it is for tax purposes only:


“The tax treatments outlined in this brief are for tax purposes only. They in no way reflect on the treatment of cryptocurrencies for regulatory or other purposes.

Given the evolutionary nature of these cryptocurrencies, HMRC will issue further guidance as appropriate.

Issued 3 March 2014”

I provided a link to the tax brief also.  I printed that out also and submitted it as supporting documentation, along with their e-mail citing that brief.  That brief is here:


 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/vat/brief0914.htm

What I also cited, which may be new to some people, is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which prohibits material omissions of fact, among other things.  This omission of intent to categorize this as a B2B sale prior to sale is a material fact that was not disclosed prior to sale.  Alpha T is in violation of several things in this law.  I would recommend anyone trying to get a refund read that entire thing, there is plenty in there that can be used.

It is located here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2008/9780110811574/regulation/6



I'll also tip my cap to whoever has the fightalpha.net site up.  There is a ton of good info there in terms of statements on delivery dates, etc, that can be used.  I came across it after I filed my stuff but for those going in now it is a good resource.  I will contact him on the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations law so it can be added to his site, as I think that's important.  That law nullifies their entire claim to be able to simply recategorize consumers as businesses, among other things.



Put together your materials in an organized fashion and file.  For the items cited, cite their own e-mails to back them up.  If you have an e-mail discussion going cite that also.  You have a very good shot at getting your money back.  Yes, it's been after 45 days or whatever, however the breach of consumer law happened after that 45 day period and still before delivery and simply tell them that.

I would also recommend going to your CC company first.  I've run across material on PayPal that they will try to argue for the vendor, with whom their interest lies, so go to the CC company first if possible.  If you have to deal with PayPal, go for it.  I've seen some people argue successfully there also.

In terms of court filings, go through the materials above and cite the laws, and how their statements and actions have conflicted with them.  I think you have a very good shot there also.  I would do it ASAP, as I think these guys *will eventually fold under the legal strain and expense, so get your claims in before they fold their tents and run for the hills.   

*Standard Disclaimer*  **I'm not a lawyer and this is not to be construed as legal advice.  It's my opinion of their position and what worked for me.  Hope it works for you if you decide to pursue a refund**

Good Luck.

BA customers

Don't worry, we changed the caps.  All is fine now.

a second customer reporting a fire in their X-3 on their forum:



woobone, on 02 Sept 2014 - 9:15 PM, said:
one of my x3 caught on fire inside while i try to figure out how to set up my pool address!! unit wasn't even hashing i stop cgminer and try to figure how to input pool address few min later i smell something burning , i look inside miner saw a little frame than i unplug from the wall and just try to blow off the frame. didn't have time to RMA yet have to move this weekend, this suck big time wait for 9 months ++ so should i stop running the other x3

and I hope the future of technology doesn't depend on morons like the people at BA, of which you clearly are one.  that shitty company has had nearly a year to develop a product and when they finally ship it, it's a fire hazard.

and you know full well that what I said makes sense or it wouldn't have pissed you off, as it interferes with your ongoing cover-up to try to get people to buy in to the crazy idea that the rest of the design is just fine, these are just some bad components.  you people don't give 2 shits if people die as long as you can keep your scam going and keep the money wrongfully held from consumers that no longer want your obsolete and hazardous product.

you're obviously a shill.  all one has to do is read your posts to figure that out,  as they are all dealing with Black Arrow and mostly defending this scumball company, so I say with all my heart, you fuck yourself you lying, incompetent thief.

it is absolutely bullshit.

so they had this cap that shouldn't have been on the BOM, but was.

and if they're not supposedly doing anything, why was there enough load on them to blow them and start a fire.

these guys are fucked.  these caps are likely indicative of another problem.  just putting bigger/different caps in the system doesn't solve the underlying issue of whatever caused these to fail.

are we supposed to believe that they over-rated every other part BUT the caps so we'll be fine as soon as they upgrade the caps?

BS.  this is more likely a design flaw that goes well beyond the caps.

yep, resale value just fell to zero.

you can't sell them knowing they are hazard.

and neither can Black Arrow.

maybe they can add fire-proof enclosures on their store.

New!  Fireproof enclosure for use only with Black Arrow bitcoin miners!  Use one of these and you won't start a fire in your house!  500.00 USD*







*Please note:  Use of one of these prevents proper airflow and therefore voids any warranty.  Regards!

now they're a fire hazard.

see these pics someone posted of an X-3 that went up in flames after less than a day of run time

from ecointalk:

I have posted four images here:
http://imgur.com/TsrIFt3
http://imgur.com/VWandpq
http://imgur.com/oQ2YU4A
http://imgur.com/0HRLVmN

send us 25,000 to look at the contract and a total of 500,000 and you'll make 10%

of what?

these people are unreal.  they've totally flopped on this.  everyone that gave them a dime now has a penny.  

good luck getting people with a cool half million to spare to agree to these ridiculous terms.

I've gone from wanting my money back to almost enjoying watching Black Arrow do one dumb thing after another.  

this is their plan?  find suckers with half a million that will send 25K just to read the contract?  

HAHAHAHAHA!  that is one of the stupidest fucking things I've ever heard.   good luck, assholes.