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

[philipma1957]

Yan will be sending me an avalon6 replacement board.  Not free of charge which is fair since I burned it from my stupidity.

He did give me a discount for running the group buy. 


So to all avalon6 owners  do not use a psu with more then 12.5 volts  and when you check the gui make sure it is under 12.3 volts


I want to thank Yan for the replacement part in advance.

[1714138567]

1714138567

[1714138567]

1714138567

[pikachuy]

I wonder if maybe it could just be defective and since you overvolt it, you would assume that was the reason. But we will never know... lol

[philipma1957]

I wonder if maybe it could just be defective and since you overvolt it, you would assume that was the reason. But we will never know... lol

Of course We both know I could have simply lied about it.

 I could have said I heard a popping sound and smelled magic smoke I do not know how or why it happened.

I used the ibm 2980 server psu and sent only 12.2 volts from the psu that read 12.0 volts at the gui.

It must be a defective cap.  Send me a board.


While that would most likely have worked  I don't roll like that.  In the long run I rather know I did the right thing.

This should be noted by all that don't let the gui go over 12.2 volts


This avalon6 was one of the two I grabbed from kilo17 on Nov 23 or 24.  It ran on the middled volt setting of the dual 2000/4000 psu more often then the high volt setting.

Ie

12.5/12.1    3650gh  more often then not.

12.75/12.5   3950gh some of the time and this was when it popped.


I wish I had read the paperwork better as I thought that the 12.75/12.5 setting was good.

Funny thing YAN told me that the gear is like a Honda car so  cruise it don't race it.


any one that knows me would laugh since I said this time and time again about the Sp-20  only I said it is like a kia forte!

[notlist3d]

Funny thing YAN told me that the gear is like a Honda car so  cruise it don't race it.

any one that knows me would laugh since I said this time and time again about the Sp-20  only I said it is like a kia forte!

Yan is a good guy, that is a funny comment for sure.   The machine does great overtime I have ran my 2 for almost 28 day's and has done great.  One unit was running a little slow today and rebooted after almost 28 days and fixed it right back up.  

That is pretty darn good for a miner to go almost a month without needing to touch.  I'm getting around 6.8T after restart.  Normally between 6.6-6.8 area with EVGA supernova's they tend to show up in GUI as 11.9-12.1 volts.  

But I am very happy with the miner's running without needing to be messed with for so long.

[pikachuy]

Yan is a good guy, that is a funny comment for sure.   The machine does great overtime I have ran my 2 for almost 28 day's and has done great.  One unit was running a little slow today and rebooted after almost 28 days and fixed it right back up.  

When you say rebooted, do you mean just restarting cgminer from the cgminer status page?

Mine kinda happened the same, was running smooth and hashing normally for 2 days, then all of a sudden I see it was only hashing about 1.5Th/s, then I click restart cgminer, and it went back up to 3.3Th/s. It was reporting on the pool too of me hashing that low. So not sure what was wrong.

Wonder if there's a way to detect if it is hashing that low to have cgminer auto-restart. Like maybe a script in the raspberry pi somehow?

[notlist3d]

Yan is a good guy, that is a funny comment for sure.   The machine does great overtime I have ran my 2 for almost 28 day's and has done great.  One unit was running a little slow today and rebooted after almost 28 days and fixed it right back up.  

When you say rebooted, do you mean just restarting cgminer from the cgminer status page?

Mine kinda happened the same, was running smooth and hashing normally for 2 days, then all of a sudden I see it was only hashing about 1.5Th/s, then I click restart cgminer, and it went back up to 3.3Th/s. It was reporting on the pool too of me hashing that low. So not sure what was wrong.

Wonder if there's a way to detect if it is hashing that low to have cgminer auto-restart. Like maybe a script in the raspberry pi somehow?

Mine was not that dramatic it was like .2 T or so low.   I just did a reboot via gui and was fine.  

And it was first time in almost a month I did anything with it.  They both run very good on their own.  I have not looked into automation as 1 time in a month is pretty minimal for me.   So I'm very happy.

[pikachuy]

Yan is a good guy, that is a funny comment for sure.   The machine does great overtime I have ran my 2 for almost 28 day's and has done great.  One unit was running a little slow today and rebooted after almost 28 days and fixed it right back up.  

When you say rebooted, do you mean just restarting cgminer from the cgminer status page?

Mine kinda happened the same, was running smooth and hashing normally for 2 days, then all of a sudden I see it was only hashing about 1.5Th/s, then I click restart cgminer, and it went back up to 3.3Th/s. It was reporting on the pool too of me hashing that low. So not sure what was wrong.

Wonder if there's a way to detect if it is hashing that low to have cgminer auto-restart. Like maybe a script in the raspberry pi somehow?

Mine was not that dramatic it was like .2 T or so low.   I just did a reboot via gui and was fine.  

And it was first time in almost a month I did anything with it.  They both run very good on their own.  I have not looked into automation as 1 time in a month is pretty minimal for me.   So I'm very happy.

Well, i added the following code to scheduled task as a cron job, and it will automatically restart cgminer at midnight everyday. This should help with any issues people might have by running it for a long time without a restart.

Code:

0 0 * * * /etc/init.d/cgminer restart

@notlist3d, now you can leave it running on it's own forever now... lol

[notlist3d]

Yan is a good guy, that is a funny comment for sure.   The machine does great overtime I have ran my 2 for almost 28 day's and has done great.  One unit was running a little slow today and rebooted after almost 28 days and fixed it right back up.  

When you say rebooted, do you mean just restarting cgminer from the cgminer status page?

Mine kinda happened the same, was running smooth and hashing normally for 2 days, then all of a sudden I see it was only hashing about 1.5Th/s, then I click restart cgminer, and it went back up to 3.3Th/s. It was reporting on the pool too of me hashing that low. So not sure what was wrong.

Wonder if there's a way to detect if it is hashing that low to have cgminer auto-restart. Like maybe a script in the raspberry pi somehow?

Mine was not that dramatic it was like .2 T or so low.   I just did a reboot via gui and was fine.  

And it was first time in almost a month I did anything with it.  They both run very good on their own.  I have not looked into automation as 1 time in a month is pretty minimal for me.   So I'm very happy.

Well, i added the following code to scheduled task as a cron job, and it will automatically restart cgminer at midnight everyday. This should help with any issues people might have by running it for a long time without a restart.

Code:

0 0 * * * /etc/init.d/cgminer restart

@notlist3d, now you can leave it running on it's own forever now... lol

A month is fine with me.  I should check miner more often then that to say the least.  I have gotten use to gear being so good I don't have to do it near what I did in older days.

Stability on these really are pretty great if right setup.

[hawkfish007]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?



Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

[OregonMines.com]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?



Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

This might not work, but have you tried lowering the fan speed to 20. Check your PM's before you do this.

[hawkfish007]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?

https://i.imgur.com/rGtYtNT.jpg?2

Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

This might not work, but have you tried lowering the fan speed to 20. Check your PM's before you do this.

PM sent with cgminer API page. I will wait to hear from you before I try to lower fan speed.

Thanks.

[philipma1957]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?

https://i.imgur.com/rGtYtNT.jpg?2

Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

This might not work, but have you tried lowering the fan speed to 20. Check your PM's before you do this.

PM sent with cgminer API page. I will wait to hear from you before I try to lower fan speed.

Thanks.

you have an issue with temps  that first number is way high  45  the last two are off they are way low.

45 50 51   My guess is the intake air is too hot so the machine is auto down clocking

My garage has 6 units it is  about 88f or  31.1c


 I look at the  numbers  

1) 38 67 74   3348gh
2) 38 64 75   3542gh
3) 37 63 74   3226gh
4) 38 75 77   3439gh
5) 40 74 74   3312gh
6) 33 -273 75 1542.gh


yeah mine vary from 33 to 40

note number six has 1 board attached

but you have a 45     and then crazy low numbers

that 45 can not be good if it is reflecting the real room temp  the room must be close to 100f
6)

[hawkfish007]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?

https://i.imgur.com/rGtYtNT.jpg?2

Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

This might not work, but have you tried lowering the fan speed to 20. Check your PM's before you do this.

PM sent with cgminer API page. I will wait to hear from you before I try to lower fan speed.

Thanks.

you have an issue with temps  that first number is way high  45  the last two are off they are way low.

45 50 51   My guess is the intake air is too hot so the machine is auto down clocking

My garage has 6 units it is  about 88f or  31.1c


 I look at the  numbers  

1) 38 67 74   3348gh
2) 38 64 75   3542gh
3) 37 63 74   3226gh
4) 38 75 77   3439gh
5) 40 74 74   3312gh
6) 33 -273 75 1542.gh


yeah mine vary from 33 to 40

note number six has 1 board attached

but you have a 45     and then crazy low numbers

that 45 can not be good if it is reflecting the real room temp  the room must be close to 100f
6)

You might be correct here. A6 temp  now showing 40/74/74 and hash rate up at 3.33TH after 15 mins. I also lowered fan speed to 20%. While A6 was auto down clocking itself, it was submitting shares at 3-5 min intervals at kano.is. All S7s were unaffected and was hashing as usual.

[philipma1957]

This morning I noticed something different with the A6. I don't have it in my possession (hosted at sidehack) so I don't know if anything burned or not. It was always powered by IBM 2880W PSU and set frequency/fan 500/50. It is hashing at 1/3 speed and temperature of the boards seems low also 45/50/51. Restarting cgminer or rebooting didn't help. Input voltage before was 11.9 and varies from 11.9-12.1, it is showing 12.2 when I took the screenshot but went down to 12.0 now. How do I figure out if any of the board is burned or not working?

https://i.imgur.com/rGtYtNT.jpg?2

Edit: upgrading mm interface didn't help, still hashing at 1 TH temp of the boards 42/40/40.

This might not work, but have you tried lowering the fan speed to 20. Check your PM's before you do this.

PM sent with cgminer API page. I will wait to hear from you before I try to lower fan speed.

Thanks.

you have an issue with temps  that first number is way high  45  the last two are off they are way low.

45 50 51   My guess is the intake air is too hot so the machine is auto down clocking

My garage has 6 units it is  about 88f or  31.1c


 I look at the  numbers  

1) 38 67 74   3348gh
2) 38 64 75   3542gh
3) 37 63 74   3226gh
4) 38 75 77   3439gh
5) 40 74 74   3312gh
6) 33 -273 75 1542.gh


yeah mine vary from 33 to 40

note number six has 1 board attached

but you have a 45     and then crazy low numbers

that 45 can not be good if it is reflecting the real room temp  the room must be close to 100f
6)

You might be correct here. A6 temp  now showing 40/74/74 and hash rate up at 3.33TH after 15 mins. I also lowered fan speed to 20%. While A6 was auto down clocking itself, it was submitting shares at 3-5 min intervals at kano.is. All S7s were unaffected and was hashing as usual.

somewhere someplace i read the avalon6 should be in a room temp under 93f

the antminer can run in 100 f

[nhando]

Guys,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I too experienced the same issue Phillip with the Over volting burnouts.  I have my IBM 4K voltage set to 12.65V which the Avalon GUI would show 12.5V.  SO PLEASE DO NOT change the voltage unless you can guarantee your environment temperature remains very cool.  My Avalon 6 is no longer functioning as a result of my wife closing the garage door all the way (I normally leave 8-10" gap).  This cause the ambient temperature to rise to 91-94F.  All the S7 handle it find as I have all the FANs set to 60%.  

I wish I did the same for the Avalon 6.  I don't care what anyone say, this SmartFAN is pretty stupid as you can see it normally let the box goes to 76C even when my garage is cold.  When you manually set it to something like 50-60% it runs cooler in the 68-72C.  I wouldn't leave it at the min of 20% for the summer months.  I'm currently temporarily hosting 2 other Avalons for my brother and I tell you, it's going to be stock voltage and Min FAN speed of 50%.  They run inside my house so they're much more pampered, however without over volting, I feel that Avalon should compensate the buyers for the misleading advertised hash rate of 3.5 or 3.65TH.  At least Bitmain say +/- 5%.  There's no such statement for the Avalon and all 3 Avalons I have are running only 3.2-3.3TH on both EVGA G2 and Dell 750W PSU. I never see it hit close to 3.5 or 3.65TH without over volting.  

Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of the Avalon 6 and have been a big supporter of it, so this isn't a bashing post but more of a warning.  Fortunately for me I have AMEX purchase protection for the first 90 days so even if my son kick it down the stairs because he hates me, it would be replaced by AMEX during the first 90days.  However, I do wish I purchased this unit thru Block C or Oregonmines vs Zoomhash.  All I need is a statement saying that over volting voids warranty or simply a price quote for 2 hash boards so I can get AMEX to approve the reimbursement and get this fix.  You would think that is pretty easy as there's no liability for Zoomhash and it's a sales opportunity, but it's like pulling teeth.  This is where I applaud Yan at Block C for his wonderful support for Phillip.  Needless to say, I won't be purchasing anymore units from Zoomhash.  

Too summarize, the Avalon 6 is still a great box as long as you use it as designed as I never had a single issue for 2 months I've owned it.   Unlike the S7, it's quiet enough to run inside the house, but if you get the itch to go to 3.8-39TH via OVER VOLTING, please thread carefully and make sure cooling is consistent and monitor closely.  

[notlist3d]

Guys,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I too experienced the same issue Phillip with the Over volting burnouts.  I have my IBM 4K voltage set to 12.65V which the Avalon GUI would show 12.5V.  SO PLEASE DO NOT change the voltage unless you can guarantee your environment temperature remains very cool.  My Avalon 6 is no longer functioning as a result of my wife closing the garage door all the way (I normally leave 8-10" gap).  This cause the ambient temperature to rise to 91-94F.  All the S7 handle it find as I have all the FANs set to 60%.  

I wish I did the same for the Avalon 6.  I don't care what anyone say, this SmartFAN is pretty stupid as you can see it normally let the box goes to 76C even when my garage is cold.  When you manually set it to something like 50-60% it runs cooler in the 68-72C.  I wouldn't leave it at the min of 20% for the summer months.  I'm currently temporarily hosting 2 other Avalons for my brother and I tell you, it's going to be stock voltage and Min FAN speed of 50%.  They run inside my house so they're much more pampered, however without over volting, I feel that Avalon should compensate the buyers for the misleading advertised hash rate of 3.5 or 3.65TH.  At least Bitmain say +/- 5%.  There's no such statement for the Avalon and all 3 Avalons I have are running only 3.2-3.3TH on both EVGA G2 and Dell 750W PSU. I never see it hit close to 3.5 or 3.65TH without over volting.  

Everyone knows I'm a huge fan of the Avalon 6 and have been a big supporter of it, so this isn't a bashing post but more of a warning.  Fortunately for me I have AMEX purchase protection for the first 90 days so even if my son kick it down the stairs because he hates me, it would be replaced by AMEX during the first 90days.  However, I do wish I purchased this unit thru Block C or Oregonmines vs Zoomhash.  All I need is a statement saying that over volting voids warranty or simply a price quote for 2 hash boards so I can get AMEX to approve the reimbursement and get this fix.  You would think that is pretty easy as there's no liability for Zoomhash and it's a sales opportunity, but it's like pulling teeth.  This is where I applaud Yan at Block C for his wonderful support for Phillip.  Needless to say, I won't be purchasing anymore units from Zoomhash.  

Too summarize, the Avalon 6 is still a great box as long as you use it as designed as I never had a single issue for 2 months I've owned it.   Unlike the S7, it's quiet enough to run inside the house, but if you get the itch to go to 3.8-39TH via OVER VOLTING, please thread carefully and make sure cooling is consistent and monitor closely.  

They are great machines it's just if you keep pushing them... eventually there is a breaking point.  
Here is official spec (  http://www.blockc.co/collections/bitcoin-miners-shop-avalon-blockc-co/products/avalon6-bitcoin-miner ):
PSU Requirements:
12V DC ±0.2V, 1100 Watts minimum PSU output (use high-quality cables)
* 1200+ Watts recommended. System draws approximately 1000 Watts.

Also top end of working condition is: 0C to 35C (35C = 95F).
If you are pushing the 95F you need to look at more cooling you should not run it constant at the highest ambient.  That is also for a machine that is not over-volted.  So keep that in mind when reading temp if your pushing over the 12.2V

If you have it under 11.8 or above 12.2 you NEED to change it as it is not built for it.  Yes it might work..... but long term it was not built to do that.  If anyone still has it pushed up so high ..... turn it down.

[nhando]

I would add, if your temperature does get warm...........don't trust SMARTSPEED FAN.  Change the minimum FAN speed to something higher than 20%, rather than leaving it to chance.  You may or may not lose 50-100 GH after the fan speed change but the peace of mind is worth it.  

Update - Zoom hash finally respond to me and say they will see what they can do on Monday after they talk to another person about it.  Really can't believe it's that hard to get a price quote on 2 hash board.  In fairness, Bob with Zoomhash was very very supportive during the buying process, unfortunately I need similar help on the post sale end.

[notlist3d]

I would add, if your temperature does get warm...........don't trust SMARTSPEED FAN.  Change the minimum FAN speed to something higher than 20%, rather than leaving it to chance.  You may or may not lose 50-100 GH after the fan speed change but the peace of mind is worth it.  

I added above on temp aswell.  Everyone should keep in mind when reading ambient temp advertised is not for a machine over-volted.  If your over-volting past 12.2 that really is not a area that has been tested for max temp, as it was not meant to run at that voltage.

And sorry to hear about your loss on it nhando hope you manage to get it fixed up.

[talks_cheep]

I am having a vision of total bitcoin hash rate falling during this year's HOT SUMMER! Sorry to those Avalon A6 owners but they are surely going to see their beloved A6 miners suddenly drop dead from hot ambient temperature. I've always thought Avalon made crap miners, I'm sorry to see my idea get more reinforcement.

[hawkfish007]

I would add, if your temperature does get warm...........don't trust SMARTSPEED FAN.  Change the minimum FAN speed to something higher than 20%, rather than leaving it to chance.  You may or may not lose 50-100 GH after the fan speed change but the peace of mind is worth it.  

I added above on temp aswell.  Everyone should keep in mind when reading ambient temp advertised is not for a machine over-volted.  If your over-volting past 12.2 that really is not a area that has been tested for max temp, as it was not meant to run at that voltage.

And sorry to hear about your loss on it nhando hope you manage to get it fixed up.

I found out this morning that if ambient temperature is 90 or above, A6 will auto down clock and only hash at 1 TH. It was submitting late shares (3-5 mins interval), basically it won't work until you are able to control your temp. I set my fan speed at 50% which didn't help. Just wondering what will happen when summer is here.