GekkoScience Compac BM1384 Stickminer Official Support Thread

[hedgy73]

Is there a list anywhere of hubs that will work with Raspberry Pi and Gekkoscience sticks? I had ordered but just cancelled an Anker 60w 7 port USB 3.0 but have just read USB 3.0 probably wont work .

[zOU]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=220905.0 here for RPI and block erupter

Or try the search at the top of the page when you're on that thread, this will restrict the search to the thread content.

You need to have [insert proper value for gekkostick]VA per device.  So for example if the adapter says 5V 3A then you can power 15VA worth of devices which = 15/2.5 = 6.


As soon as I get my other 4 sticks, i'll report.
They left US yesterday so I may not get them in France before Monday (saturday if i'm lucky)

Usb3 will definitely not work with RPI apparently. (I just have 1 USB3 and 4 USB2 but I may try it anyway for the sake of it )

[hedgy73]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=220905.0 here for RPI and block erupter

Or try the search at the top of the page when you're on that thread, this will restrict the search to the thread content.

You need to have [insert proper value for gekkostick]VA per device.  So for example if the adapter says 5V 3A then you can power 15VA worth of devices which = 15/2.5 = 6.


As soon as I get my other 4 sticks, i'll report.
They left US yesterday so I may not get them in France before Monday (saturday if i'm lucky)

Usb3 will definitely not work with RPI apparently. (I just have 1 USB3 and 4 USB2 but I may try it anyway for the sake of it )

Thank you .

I've found this Orico 36w USB 2.0 10 port hub wonder if that will be ok: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORICO-10-Port-Adapter-USB2-0-Windows/dp/B00NMF8ZWA/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1446754580&sr=1-4&keywords=usb+2.0+powered+hub

[zOU]

I have one, I'm using it for other asics now (U3's and BFL so Amp rating doesn't matter)

Make sure you check the amp rating of the power supply to estimate how many sticks you can run.

I'll check what mine is.

[hedgy73]

I have one, I'm using it for other asics now (U3's and BFL so Amp rating doesn't matter)

Make sure you check the amp rating of the power supply to estimate how many sticks you can run.

I'll check what mine is.

It says 12v 3A so assume it should be okay? I've only got 2 sticks on way so far but would be good if I could add more if I wanted .

[Landy1264]

I've found this Orico 36w USB 2.0 10 port hub wonder if that will be ok: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ORICO-10-Port-Adapter-USB2-0-Windows/dp/B00NMF8ZWA/ref=sr_1_4?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1446754580&sr=1-4&keywords=usb+2.0+powered+hub

Try this (search with Google:) ASIN B00ENE55SQ <-power for 2-3 sticks and some of that ASIN B00H2JKHVY <- 1 per stick.

12V out of an atx power supply or similar. Don't try to power them over an usb-hub.

[AJRGale]

Ha! I misinterpreted the use of the pot! the more it faces the USB plug, the more voltage to the ASIC, and here I have 2 of the sticks that just cannot hash it out anymore, I was tunning it to less voltage !! Right, I know what I'm doing when I get home.

Oddly enough, 2 other ones I had issues with, just spitting more HW errors, I turned down the voltage (in light that I was thinking I was turning up the voltage), and 0 HW errors

[edonkey]

Does anyone know if there's a guide to setting up a Raspberry Pi as a controller anywhere please?

I've got my sticks and powered hub on route and would like to run them from a Pi model B I've already got. I haven't used one before as a controller so really don't know where to start .

Getminera.com ?

The base Minera image doesn't yet support the Compac, as far as I know.

I put together an image using the latest Minera plus the built cgminer-gekko as a custom miner.

The download link is in the first post.

I have not yet tested it but edonkey was nice enough to upload a custom minera image with cgminer-gekko enabled as a custom miner.  You can set the frequency under manual options as: --compac-freq 150.  Link:
https://dbtbmm05cubzd.cloudfront.net/cryptocurrency/mods/minera_compac_mod.zip

There's a read me included with the download.

Note though that the cgminer-gekko that I built and included with the image will only work with the Compac. There were build errors getting it to work with some other miners (like Icarus).

I mention this because you indicated earlier that you want to run several different pieces of mining hardware. So this might not be the solution for you, although you could use it as a base to get started.

If the cgminer-gekko sources are fixed at some point, I'll rebuild cgminer-gekko to support a broader range of hardware and repost the image, assuming that native support for Compaq is not added to Minera before then.

Hope this helps...

[zOU]

Note though that the cgminer-gekko that I built and included with the image will only work with the Compac. There were build errors getting it to work with some other miners (like Icarus).

I mention this because you indicated earlier that you want to run several different pieces of mining hardware. So this might not be the solution for you, although you could use it as a base to get started.

If the cgminer-gekko sources are fixed at some point, I'll rebuild cgminer-gekko to support a broader range of hardware and repost the image, assuming that native support for Compaq is not added to Minera before then.

Hope this helps...

I know, I asked and I got the answer a couple of pages earlier

I'd be happy to get a cgminer that supports the gekkostick and the icarus-type at the same time.

On the other hand, bfgminer 5.4 is supposed to support both already so I could switch to bfgminer
(although I've tried a bit and I get my gekko and bfl working (more or less succesfully) but not my U3)

But we're off topic anyway

Thank you !

[Luke-Jr]

On the other hand, bfgminer 5.4 is supposed to support both already so I could switch to bfgminer
(although I've tried a bit and I get my gekko and bfl working (more or less succesfully) but not my U3)

Try -S antminer:\\.\COMn where COMn is the port your U3 shows on.
Note you may need to un-Zadig to get the normal drivers first.
(If you don't use Windows, put -S antminer:/dev/ttyUSBn instead.)

[pepto]

How to kill your Sidehack Sticks.
I suppose it had to happen to someone, appears that someone is me.
I found this gigabyte sticker from a sound card or something that had adhesive left on it.
So I tore it in half and pasted a piece over the leds on my two sticks. Turns out (a little too late) that the sticker is metallic.
Ran fine when I hit the hay, but a few hours later I woke and checked things and everything had gone to to hell.
Evidently I shorted something out. Is there any hope for these guys?

[zOU]

On the other hand, bfgminer 5.4 is supposed to support both already so I could switch to bfgminer
(although I've tried a bit and I get my gekko and bfl working (more or less succesfully) but not my U3)

Try -S antminer:\\.\COMn where COMn is the port your U3 shows on.
Note you may need to un-Zadig to get the normal drivers first.
(If you don't use Windows, put -S antminer:/dev/ttyUSBn instead.)

Thank you Luke !

I'll give it a go.

my goal is to run the following on my RPI:
HUB1: 6 gekko sticks (2 running, 4 in transit) => currently on RPI
HUB2: 4 block erupters => currently on win10/multiminer
HUB3:  3 Antminer U3 + 1 BFL 30Ghs => currently on win2012/cgminer 4.9.2

as I have an assortment of USB hub, I'll see which combination works best.

[hedgy73]

My 2 x sticks arrived today. They have now been running for nearly 4 hours on cgminer perfectly .

Running them @ 150 for now as they're on my spare pc usb ports without cooling:



I'll ideally have them running on Raspberry Pi with powered hub and fan in a few days when extra equipment arrives .

[Biodom]

Anybody has an opinion on Orico 10 port/3A vs Orico 9 ports/2.5A (this one says hot swappable, but 10 ports does not say it) or Etekcity 10 ports/2.5A?
Or any other (better) in the same $12-$25 category.
Or, maybe Anker is better at $35, although it is USB 3.0
Does it have to be USB 2.0 or could be USB 3.0, if I eventually might use Pi as well.

Thanks, much obliged.

[zOU]

Has to be USB 2 for RPi

See there for tests (with block erupters, so you'll have to calculate how many compac sticks it'll support as they're using more power)

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=253749.0

I'd say it would have to be USB 3 as they deliver up to 900mA/port versus 500mA f USB 2....

And the stick uses from 550mA to 800mA.

That being said I currently run 2 @ 750mA on a DUB-H7 USB2...

So I confuse myself :p

[hedgy73]

Anybody have an opinion on Orico 10 port/3A vs Orico 9 ports/2.5A (this one says hot swappable, but 10 ports does not say it) or Etekcity 10 ports/2.5A?
Or any other (better) in the same $12-$25 category.
Or, maybe Anker is better at $35, although it is USB 3.0
Does it have to be USB 2.0 or could be USB 3.0, if I eventually might use Pi as well.

Thanks, much obliged.

I'm still quite confused too. From what I think though is that the Raspberry Pi's doesnt like many USB 3.0 powered hubs, but USB 3.0 provides the extra power required to run these sticks overclocked. I've got an Anker 60w USB 3.0 powered hub on order I'll let everyone know if it works once I've had a chance to test it.

I'm running 2 sticks via USB 2.0 ports on the front of a pc @ 150Mhz (stock speed) and they've been running perfectly for about 24 hours now although you could fry an egg on the heatsinks .

I would however like to run them overclocked via a Pi and hub and add more sticks with cooling too.

[zOU]

Mine are running @210Mhs/750mA on the switch mentionned attached to a RPi.

Not rock stable as I have one that stops hashing every so often, but I've yet to figure out why (not always same stick or port or time or duration).

I'm waiting to receive the 4 more I ordered to experiment/troubleshoot.

[notlist3d]

Anybody have an opinion on Orico 10 port/3A vs Orico 9 ports/2.5A (this one says hot swappable, but 10 ports does not say it) or Etekcity 10 ports/2.5A?
Or any other (better) in the same $12-$25 category.
Or, maybe Anker is better at $35, although it is USB 3.0
Does it have to be USB 2.0 or could be USB 3.0, if I eventually might use Pi as well.

Thanks, much obliged.

I'm still quite confused too. From what I think though is that the Raspberry Pi's doesnt like many USB 3.0 powered hubs, but USB 3.0 provides the extra power required to run these sticks overclocked. I've got an Anker 60w USB 3.0 powered hub on order I'll let everyone know if it works once I've had a chance to test it.

I'm running 2 sticks via USB 2.0 ports on the front of a pc @ 150Mhz (stock speed) and they've been running perfectly for about 24 hours now although you could fry an egg on the heatsinks .

I would however like to run them overclocked via a Pi and hub and add more sticks with cooling too.

The PI does not like 3.0 at all.   You are doing much easier to go with usb 2.0.   You might adjust voltage and see if that lowers heat a little bit.

Or you can add a fan, even a regular PC fan will help compared to passive cooling.   That is what I used for cooling mine down.

[zOU]

Hehe, i'm cooling mine with a 80mm fan.

[Biodom]

Anybody have an opinion on Orico 10 port/3A vs Orico 9 ports/2.5A (this one says hot swappable, but 10 ports does not say it) or Etekcity 10 ports/2.5A?
Or any other (better) in the same $12-$25 category.
Or, maybe Anker is better at $35, although it is USB 3.0
Does it have to be USB 2.0 or could be USB 3.0, if I eventually might use Pi as well.

Thanks, much obliged.

I'm still quite confused too. From what I think though is that the Raspberry Pi's doesnt like many USB 3.0 powered hubs, but USB 3.0 provides the extra power required to run these sticks overclocked. I've got an Anker 60w USB 3.0 powered hub on order I'll let everyone know if it works once I've had a chance to test it.

I'm running 2 sticks via USB 2.0 ports on the front of a pc @ 150Mhz (stock speed) and they've been running perfectly for about 24 hours now although you could fry an egg on the heatsinks .

I would however like to run them overclocked via a Pi and hub and add more sticks with cooling too.

The PI does not like 3.0 at all.   You are doing much easier to go with usb 2.0.   You might adjust voltage and see if that lowers heat a little bit.

Or you can add a fan, even a regular PC fan will help compared to passive cooling.   That is what I used for cooling mine down.

what do you think about Anker for sticks (it is powerful at 60W and 5A, but usb 3.0).
If I will be getting Anker, I figure, I just stick a non-powered usb 2 (http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual-Switches-HB-UMLS/dp/B00BWF5U0M) into it, then pi into that. Will it work?
Alternatively, I can just connect that nonpowered stick into PC and Pi into it and have Anker setup just for sticks.
Will Pi work then