GekkoScience Compac BM1384 Stickminer Official Support Thread

[zOU]

That's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/221661361513?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Morguk]

Read though a few of these threads but can't find a clear answer.

What's the best way to power 4 of these at around 15GH each? From what I understand I need a hub that can output more than 500ma? If so how much more?

Are there any cheaper decent hubs available or can I just use a Y cable and a bog standard hub?

[zOU]

500mA is the USB2 norm
900ma is the USB3 norm

Not all switch strictly enforce it

[Morguk]

Is 900ma enough for 15GH?

So just get a decent USB 3.0 powered hub?

Should work with an original Pi B right?

[drew_ii]

Is 900ma enough for 15GH?

So just get a decent USB 3.0 powered hub?

Should work with an original Pi B right?

Negative for the PI Zero, but I just got a 2B so I can try that, but I'd wager not on a flat B either.  This link is all about how 3.0 doesn't work, and some complain 2.0 doesn't work properly either (but it works fine for our interests):
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=74695&p=535407. 

For a Zero you have to cascade the 3.0 through a 2.0 to the PI, so the PI only sees the 2 and the 2 downgrades the capability of the 3 from 3 speeds to 2 speeds - so while 3 gives you the ma you need to power the sticks up without Y's, the 2 makes it so the PI can talk to the sticks.  I don't think that the USB bandwidth downgrade makes much difference as the data is pretty small all in all - you're just looking for the power.

Oh, and the Anker 70w won't work - Look for the Superbpag if possible.  Anker by itself, through a powered 2.0, or through an unpowered 2.0 just doesn't work.  Anker is aware of it and says there's no resolution, so I had to get a refund.

Superbpag here (they were low on stock before but seem to be full up again)
http://www.amazon.com/Superbpag-Portable-Charger-Transfer-Samsung/dp/B013OK10YM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452598444&sr=8-2&keywords=superbpag

[jstncheney]

That's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/221661361513?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

So you just plug the existing usb cord coming up from the power usb hub, to the Female end and the male ends into the computer?

[philipma1957]

That's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/221661361513?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

So you just plug the existing usb cord coming up from the power usb hub, to the Female end and the male ends into the computer?

No

Female part of the y cord gets the stick.

The two male ends plug into the hub.

[drew_ii]

Anyone tracking highest share completed by a COMPAC?  Is 22.5M anywhere on the list?

http://s1.postimg.org/gp914d4q7/IMG_1624.jpg

(ok so that embed didn't wotk - suggestions?)

[sidehack]

I've seen 300M+ on a test stick. Someone I think reported a 1B share, probably out of the compac solo group.

300MHz yields 16.5GH and I mark it at about 6.7W for stable operation, which depending on your voltage is 1.3-1.4 amps.

[cavaliersrus]

hey sidehack what are you doing saturday i would like to bring that s1 out and now for some reason my s2 has just a red light and fans on full... then wanted to see if theres something we can do on my compac sticks maybe mod the usb hub i have

[sidehack]

I might be around in the afternoon. Probably should be discussed in a PM though.

[Biodom]

That's the one I use:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/221661361513?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

So you just plug the existing usb cord coming up from the power usb hub, to the Female end and the male ends into the computer?

No

Female part of the y cord gets the stick.

The two male ends plug into the hub.

That's right, but i did not find 1F<-2M usb 3.0 cable available in US (just those on a slow delivery from China), so I just ordered 1M<-2M cable and a coupler (F-F).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351486414615 <-look at this cable. 3A carrying capacity!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321726944146 <- this one is a pack of 3

These came quickly and they work neato: up to 24Gh/s (more like 22Gh/s in steady state) using 10 slot powered Anker usb 3.0 off of a linux computer (this hub does not work on pi, unfortunately).

[johnny5]

Is 900ma enough for 15GH?

So just get a decent USB 3.0 powered hub?

Should work with an original Pi B right?

I'm pretty sure that all RasPi models do not play well with USB3 hubs.  I do know that the Cubieboards (v1, v2, and v3/'truck) do work with USB3 hubs, however.  ymmv.

[cavaliersrus]

i know my usb3 hub would not work on my pi b+ 512mb without using a non powered crappy hub and now my hub works

[Morguk]

Thanks both. Drew_ii recommended to plug the 3.0 into a 2.0 hub first then to the Pi so will do that.

[Biodom]

Thanks both. Zou recommended to plug the 3.0 into a 2.0 hub first then to the Pi so will do that.

this works for some, but not all usb 3.0 powered hub (does not work for 10 slot usb 3.0 Anker). hopefully, yours qualify.

[sidehack]

AJRGale did the Australia group buy but I'm not sure if he has any left to hand out.

[heslo]

How many you looking at getting Rokz? I know sidehack is running orders for his second run and if there's enough interest I was thinking of doing a group buy for some. Or maybe if you get in contact with AJRGale, he might want to run it again (probably a benefit because he's trusted since handling the previous run)

[Biodom]

Just to share:

If you have multiple sticks on several hubs and pi's and don't want to keep buying additional monitors, HDMI switch comes very handy.
I used the 3-port Cable Matters unit (Amazon), but you can get the 5-port unit almost at the same price.
There was a 3-port unit for just 18.99 before, but now they come at $29.99 with two HDMI cables included ($10 value).
There is a cheaper Fosmon unit for $12, but since reviews were mixed, I decided not to get one.

Simply click the button and switch the same monitor to another pi/hub/sticks. You would need monitor with hdmi, but most do have this connection nowdays.

[sidehack]

There's also using a networked computer with SSH to access cgminer in a local screen session.