[Review] Avalon 6 Miner - Winter Mining - Notlist3d - Also FAQ and Help

[MathewCNichols]

Could anyone speculate if bfgminer 5.4.1 will control this unit? It does show Avalon drivers:
http://screencast.com/t/suU6cR5wlc


I'm currently running Entware-ng (alternative to Optware for OpenWRT) on a ASUS RT-N66U router with an Antminer U2 connected to the back USB port. It works great with the serial silabs CP2101.ko driver. There is no cgminer, but the latest version of the bfgminer package is maintained by Entware-ng:
http://entware.zyxmon.org/binaries/mipsel/Packages.html

I'm thinking I could patch a USB cable from the router directly to the Avalon miner.

On the 4.1 I know a certain TPlink worked - https://ehash.com/product/tp-link-tl-wr703n-contrlloer-suite/ .  It was able to control the 4.1's.  I don't have one to test as far as using it for a 6.  So far they have just advertised the B and B+ RPI.

Which the RPI turns out to be a pretty good controller. Using one on 3 avalon 4.1's, and on an Avalon 6 and both working great.  I really like the RPI as a controller.

Thanks for leading me down the documentation rabbit hole!

The Antminer U2 uses a sillabs serial controller. I have to load the cp2101.ko kernel object at router boot time to recognize the U2 that uses a USB to serial interface (/dev/ttyUSB0.) Then bfgminer will use that device using antminer:all in the config.
 
I've been looking into the Avalon 6 wiki (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Avalon6) to find out what the board interface uses. I'm guessing it's a standard USB controller and the router would recognize the miner without loading any extra kernel objects. I bet I could just use avalon:all in bfgminer config.

I don't know if I'm willing to pay $1500 to find out. I do have Raspberry Pi 2 that's not getting used. That should be compatible mid Decemeber according to the wiki btw!

I do give you some kudos on wanting to learn the inner workings.  Love to see people get interested in a piece of hardware and really look into it.

On the controller I probley would just stick with what they is tried and approved.  Honestly the RPI B and B+ can run 50 machines if needed..... that is a lot of power really to be able to do that.  The miners being able to make a chian is nice for a commercial setting with tons of miners.

For those of us with a few i honestly don't think RPI B vs RPI 2 will make much of a difference.   Only really boot time is quicker... but you don't boot the RPI that often it stay's on for day's/weeks/maybe months.  So really RPI B or B+ is going to be perfect for almost all users.

I definitely love tinkering and making $. That's why I'm here! 

I'm interested in controlling the Avalon with the router or the Pi 2 since I already have bfgminer on the router and I have a spare Pi 2 kicking around I'd like to put to good use. I know a Pi is super cheap anyway, just trying to repurpose what I already have as a controller to ROI quicker (if ever.)

I'm sure you're right that it's more than enough horsepower though!

[MathewCNichols]

Could anyone speculate if bfgminer 5.4.1 will control this unit? It does show Avalon drivers:
http://screencast.com/t/suU6cR5wlc


I'm currently running Entware-ng (alternative to Optware for OpenWRT) on a ASUS RT-N66U router with an Antminer U2 connected to the back USB port. It works great with the serial silabs CP2101.ko driver. There is no cgminer, but the latest version of the bfgminer package is maintained by Entware-ng:
http://entware.zyxmon.org/binaries/mipsel/Packages.html

I'm thinking I could patch a USB cable from the router directly to the Avalon miner.

On the 4.1 I know a certain TPlink worked - https://ehash.com/product/tp-link-tl-wr703n-contrlloer-suite/ .  It was able to control the 4.1's.  I don't have one to test as far as using it for a 6.  So far they have just advertised the B and B+ RPI.

Which the RPI turns out to be a pretty good controller. Using one on 3 avalon 4.1's, and on an Avalon 6 and both working great.  I really like the RPI as a controller.

Thanks for leading me down the documentation rabbit hole!

The Antminer U2 uses a sillabs serial controller. I have to load the cp2101.ko kernel object at router boot time to recognize the U2 that uses a USB to serial interface (/dev/ttyUSB0.) Then bfgminer will use that device using antminer:all in the config.
 
I've been looking into the Avalon 6 wiki (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Avalon6) to find out what the board interface uses. I'm guessing it's a standard USB controller and the router would recognize the miner without loading any extra kernel objects. I bet I could just use avalon:all in bfgminer config.

I don't know if I'm willing to pay $1500 to find out. I do have Raspberry Pi 2 that's not getting used. That should be compatible mid Decemeber according to the wiki btw!

I do give you some kudos on wanting to learn the inner workings.  Love to see people get interested in a piece of hardware and really look into it.

On the controller I probley would just stick with what they is tried and approved.  Honestly the RPI B and B+ can run 50 machines if needed..... that is a lot of power really to be able to do that.  The miners being able to make a chian is nice for a commercial setting with tons of miners.

For those of us with a few i honestly don't think RPI B vs RPI 2 will make much of a difference.   Only really boot time is quicker... but you don't boot the RPI that often it stay's on for day's/weeks/maybe months.  So really RPI B or B+ is going to be perfect for almost all users.

I definitely love tinkering and making $. That's why I'm here! 

I'm interested in controlling the Avalon with the router or the Pi 2 since I already have bfgminer on the router and I have a spare Pi 2 kicking around I'd like to put to good use. I know a Pi is super cheap anyway, just trying to repurpose what I already have as a controller to ROI quicker (if ever.)

I'm sure you're right that it's more than enough horsepower though!

It looks like Avalon previously used the ftdi_sio driver for UART. I bet they still do too! This is loaded at boot time with TomatoUSB (my router firmware.)

With Avalon supported by bfgminer (installed via Entware packaged mentions before,) I'm getting really close to pulling the trigger and giving this a shot! So much $ though!

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140539.880

[notlist3d]

I still have plans to test some more things.  It's getting there thank you to all who have posted questions or answers.   Really has helped this tread do more then just a review.  

I still am enjoying the free heat it's heat to sound ratio is very good.   I do plan on moving it into my mining area sometime but not yet.  

My mining area had a big fan go out it's been an adventure but. Since the mining area is getting more winter weather it did not effect heat a ton.  But I replaced it for my piece of mind.  Now I need to try to talk to the fan maker and see if they really stand by the 1 year warranty.  Lowes pretty much said after 3 months your out off luck except through manufacture.  Also... fan's are much harder to find in winter it turns out .

But I do have more ideas to come.

[notlist3d]

Got to add part two to miner review I have been wanting to do. It is dealing with running multiple Avalon 6 Miners.   So far both are working very good, but I still will run them and test them over time.

I did move them to my mining area.   With dealing with 2 miners it just made it much easier then in my bedroom.

[nhando]

Looking forward to the extensive review especially in Dual miner mode with same controller.  How many miners do you have in your Mining area?  Thanks for letting me know about the Avalon 6 needing each own PCI-E cable instead of sharing the dual connector.  I got the issue sorted with the Ebay seller, he's going to send me a better power supply cable and 1 more PCI-E cable.  I will just use this used EVGA G2 power supply for the Ant Miner.  The new Avalon will get a new EVGA G2 power supply so I can have better peace of mind.

[notlist3d]

Looking forward to the extensive review especially in Dual miner mode with same controller.  How many miners do you have in your Mining area?  Thanks for letting me know about the Avalon 6 needing each own PCI-E cable instead of sharing the dual connector.  I got the issue sorted with the Ebay seller, he's going to send me a better power supply cable and 1 more PCI-E cable.  I will just use this used EVGA G2 power supply for the Ant Miner.  The new Avalon will get a new EVGA G2 power supply so I can have better peace of mind.

Not a problem!  I'm glad to hear seller is making it right.  I did use a EVGA 1300 again it works very well at staying pretty steady at 12 volts input.  So far they did a great job just like the 4.1's it was plug and play.   I did not have to do any configuration just plug it in.  I went ahead and used USB to both, but I could have ran power to the shelf and did the chain.  

But so far working great no issues adding one to make it two mining.  As far as my miner area I have 100 amp just for it.  It was made for more a work area but I repurposed it into area for mining. Currently have around 8K watts but I'm adding more slowly.  I did have a good amount more... but I sold during 230 day's of BTC as I was not making enough but now wish I would have kept them.  I got rid of my A1's a 1T dragon, and 1.5T dragon.  And then 3 S4's also got sold.  

They all went to lower priced electricity miners.   I sell my miners at end of life for me and it really does help with extra ROI.  I do plan on using these Avalon 6's for a long while.  I still have my 4.1's running great to.

[adaseb]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

[philipma1957]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

they sold out at ehash




they are 1449 at zoomhash plus shipping plus a rasp pi
http://zoomhash.com/collections/bitcoin-asics/products/avalon-6-3-65-ths-shipping-from-stock-in-us



they are 13900 for a ten pack at block-c
http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co

[notlist3d]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

they sold out at ehash




they are 1449 at zoomhash plus shipping plus a rasp pi
http://zoomhash.com/collections/bitcoin-asics/products/avalon-6-3-65-ths-shipping-from-stock-in-us



they are 13900 for a ten pack at block-c
http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co

If your in china I would email them still at Ehash.   And I could be wrong but I think website might be a little off it shows even adapters as sold out, which I don't think they ran out.   But if China that is best not sure MOQ with not having stock on site, but does not hurt to ask.

For most of the world it's BlockC and MOQ is 10.  So a groupbuy might be cheapest way as far as most people.

But there are re-sellers zoomhash as Phil mentioned.   OregonMines.com sold a few to a person or two in the thread.  Any other resellers other Avalon6 users are using and have successfully bought one or more at?

[rammy2k2]

very silent miner as far as i seen in the videos, difficulty will skyrocket again with these ones

[wlefever]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

they sold out at ehash




they are 1449 at zoomhash plus shipping plus a rasp pi
http://zoomhash.com/collections/bitcoin-asics/products/avalon-6-3-65-ths-shipping-from-stock-in-us



they are 13900 for a ten pack at block-c
http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co

If your in china I would email them still at Ehash.   And I could be wrong but I think website might be a little off it shows even adapters as sold out, which I don't think they ran out.   But if China that is best not sure MOQ with not having stock on site, but does not hurt to ask.

For most of the world it's BlockC and MOQ is 10.  So a groupbuy might be cheapest way as far as most people.

But there are re-sellers zoomhash as Phil mentioned.   OregonMines.com sold a few to a person or two in the thread.  Any other resellers other Avalon6 users are using and have successfully bought one or more at?

Scott at holybitcoin.com has them listed ( I know it's the wrong pic but he is a reliable reseller), and I am sure you can contact him if you have any questions.  He carries some of sidehacks compacs and had the 4.1 a few months back as well.

[adaseb]

So what are the chances of Bitmain or Avalon lowering their prices of these miners anytime soon?

[notlist3d]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

they sold out at ehash




they are 1449 at zoomhash plus shipping plus a rasp pi
http://zoomhash.com/collections/bitcoin-asics/products/avalon-6-3-65-ths-shipping-from-stock-in-us



they are 13900 for a ten pack at block-c
http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co

If your in china I would email them still at Ehash.   And I could be wrong but I think website might be a little off it shows even adapters as sold out, which I don't think they ran out.   But if China that is best not sure MOQ with not having stock on site, but does not hurt to ask.

For most of the world it's BlockC and MOQ is 10.  So a groupbuy might be cheapest way as far as most people.

But there are re-sellers zoomhash as Phil mentioned.   OregonMines.com sold a few to a person or two in the thread.  Any other resellers other Avalon6 users are using and have successfully bought one or more at?

Scott at holybitcoin.com has them listed ( I know it's the wrong pic but he is a reliable reseller), and I am sure you can contact him if you have any questions.  He carries some of sidehacks compacs and had the 4.1 a few months back as well.

He's a tad high on it might by why we have not seen people mention buying from him.  I don't like how he put regular price at "1,999.97 " and acts like "1,599.97" is a price cut.   He could be good but that makes it where I would go elsewhere.

[notlist3d]

So what are the chances of Bitmain or Avalon lowering their prices of these miners anytime soon?

Hard to say BTC is headed up again 389 right now.  It's hard to go to them on a price decrease when BTC is rising like it is.   We will see what happens on difficulty over next few periods.  It's kinda those two things that effect the price as much as anything.

I mined at 230 for a long time and was profitable so I'm pretty darn happy right now as far as price per BTC.

[wlefever]

If you are in North America what is the current price for these Avalon's? $1500 + Shipping ?

they sold out at ehash




they are 1449 at zoomhash plus shipping plus a rasp pi
http://zoomhash.com/collections/bitcoin-asics/products/avalon-6-3-65-ths-shipping-from-stock-in-us



they are 13900 for a ten pack at block-c
http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co

If your in china I would email them still at Ehash.   And I could be wrong but I think website might be a little off it shows even adapters as sold out, which I don't think they ran out.   But if China that is best not sure MOQ with not having stock on site, but does not hurt to ask.

For most of the world it's BlockC and MOQ is 10.  So a groupbuy might be cheapest way as far as most people.

But there are re-sellers zoomhash as Phil mentioned.   OregonMines.com sold a few to a person or two in the thread.  Any other resellers other Avalon6 users are using and have successfully bought one or more at?

Scott at holybitcoin.com has them listed ( I know it's the wrong pic but he is a reliable reseller), and I am sure you can contact him if you have any questions.  He carries some of sidehacks compacs and had the 4.1 a few months back as well.

He's a tad high on it might by why we have not seen people mention buying from him.  I don't like how he put regular price at "1,999.97 " and acts like "1,599.97" is a price cut.   He could be good but that makes it where I would go elsewhere.

Yea I guess so.  Here is a thread https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=584597.0 with a 5% discount for bitcointalk users, and just missed a 10% off black Friday I didn't even see.

[hawkfish007]

I would highly recommend Oregonminers. Tom @ Oregon sent me a complimentary USB to miner cable after seeing my post here, even though I bought the miner from a different seller, which didn't include the cable with RPi kit. I wasn't able to run the miner for 3 days after receipt until I got the cable from Oregonminers. I believe they sell it directly by phone or pm.

[notlist3d]

I would highly recommend Oregonminers. Tom @ Oregon sent me a complimentary USB to miner cable after seeing my post here, even though I bought the miner from a different seller, which didn't include the cable with RPi kit. I wasn't able to run the miner for 3 days after receipt until I got the cable from Oregonminers. I believe they sell it directly by phone or pm.

I remember that it was also Thanksgiving weekend when they did that.  I have not dealt with them but I thought that sounded pretty darn nice of him.

He was doing a good dead for sure.   Like seeing resellers more like that.

[-droid-]

I would highly recommend Oregonminers. Tom @ Oregon sent me a complimentary USB to miner cable after seeing my post here, even though I bought the miner from a different seller, which didn't include the cable with RPi kit. I wasn't able to run the miner for 3 days after receipt until I got the cable from Oregonminers. I believe they sell it directly by phone or pm.

I remember that it was also Thanksgiving weekend when they did that.  I have not dealt with them but I thought that sounded pretty darn nice of him.

He was doing a good dead for sure.   Like seeing resellers more like that.

I got my 5 avalons from them and couldn't be happier.  He even texted me when the new firmware hit the website giving me a heads up

[nhando]

Droid,

How do you like the Avalon so far?  How is the noise and heat level?  Is the system staying relatively cool or does it run quite hot if ambient room temperature is around 73-75?

[Clonekiller]

I have 1 avalon 6 mining and i'm very happy waiting for some power supply's tomorrow.And later on i will have 12 x ) running.