[RESOLVED] X6500 - Power Issue

[Bicknellski]

I have recently purchased a few X6500's and all were working well till today. One board the usb (data) led lights but the power led remains dark the fans do not spin when powered by the molex through the board. I have changed power going in from the the psu switching in the plugs from the working boards. There is was no smoke, smell or issues with heat. What can I do to trouble shoot this?

1. I will try and get a barrel plug soon to test if I can get power in that way.

[Ltcfaucet]

You could just sell it to me.

Eh?

lol

[nbtcminer]

I have recently purchased a few X6500's and all were working well till today. One board the usb (data) led lights but the power led remains dark. I have changed power going in from the the psu switching in the plugs from the working boards. There is was no smoke, smell or issues with heat. What can I do to trouble shoot this?

1. I will try and get a barrel plug soon to test if I can get power in that way.

When it's power via the molex connection and plug into the PC; does the PC detect that a new device is being plugged in?

[Tyger]

Probably a bad cap or something, when you use a barrel plug one of 2 things will happen:
1. the component that is defect will heat up or you will see a bit of smoke.
2. the plug will die because the short (assuming it is in short) in the circuit will take to much power from it.

[Bogart]

Is it a rev-3 unit with the red board and fans, or the earlier one with the blue board?

My red-board ones have 3 LEDs.

[Bicknellski]

* It is a rev-3 unit with the red board and fans. (No power LED my error. 1 Data Led, 2 Mining LEDs either side of the chips).

* The molex from the PSU doesn't provide power and it is no longer detected. It was working fine before I resituated the boards to my other desktop. The other boards working fine. There is no heat or smoke nor was there any at any point, no burnt electrical smell, the fans do not spin when molex is plugged in with the board anymore, the 'dead' board was running hotter than the other boards nearly 50C without interruption for 8 hours at 400 mhz on the ...merged200mhz firmware.

* The fans can be powered directly through the molex.

*  The LED lights up for the data usb plug on the board.

I got a bad feeling it is pooched. Anything I can do if the barrel plug doesn't work or is it bricked?

[Bicknellski]

Probably a bad cap or something, when you use a barrel plug one of 2 things will happen:
1. the component that is defect will heat up or you will see a bit of smoke.
2. the plug will die because the short (assuming it is in short) in the circuit will take to much power from it.

Thanks will let you know... I am guessing the barrel is not working either... and the capacitor or component that is pooched just didn't smoke out or fry in that manner. ARGG!

[Tyger]

if you know your way around electronics i would say check the power on the board with a multimeter or scope.

[Bogart]

I would check the fuse first.  It's the component labeled F1, just to the right of the Molex connector.

If it measures more than 1 ohm, it's probably blown and should be replaced (or bridged if you like to live on the edge.)

[Bicknellski]

Possibly the F1 [w] fuse on the board for the molex. The barrel plug powers the unit but not hashing.

Note: My barrel plug adapter can change settings. I have tried 9V and 12V 500mA max output

Voltage:   12V            
Current:   500mA            
Power:   6 W      

Need more power I guess through the barrel plug. Max output is 500mA unfortunately. Typically the board draws what 17 or more for the fpga's alone. I have tried put the fans on the molex but the power through the barrel just isn't enough just need to find a 9v - 12v adapter to push out higher wattage.

Error:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

What should I try now?

I note that the temperatures for "bottom" card are low and never increase. I suspect not getting enough power or there is a problem with the board or fpga's.



---- For future reference -----

How does one test and replace the F1 [w] on the board?

Must need a special tool and technique as it is so small and was pressed into place when fabricated.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[fpgaminer]

I have tried 9V and 12V 500mA max output

If I recall correctly the X6500 consumes ~20W, so you need more like 2amps at 12V.

[Bicknellski]

Resolved. Found a large enough power supply for the barrel plug. An old laptop adpater with the correct barrel and wattage output. Hashing at 400 mhz on the bottom board. Back in biznous!


The fuse at F1 [w] most likely the problem. Still loved to know how to fix that.

[Bogart]

How does one test and replace the F1 [w] on the board?

Must need a special tool and technique as it is so small and was pressed into place when fabricated.

It's soldered onto the board.  If I were doing it, I would probably use 2 soldering irons to melt both ends at once.  Alternately, you could leave the blown fuse in place and solder a new one on top of it.

To test it, I would use a multimeter on the "ohms" setting.  Put one probe on each end of the fuse.  If it measures much more than 1 ohm, it's probably blown.  Mine measured about 0.8 ohms.

I'd think a 2A or maybe 2.5A fuse would make an appropriate replacement.

[Bicknellski]

I think for now I'll make do with the plug I have in place. Do not want to mess with it too much.

Thanks for the advice and all that helped me get through it.

[Bicknellski]

Pretty happy with the units they humm along nicely close to 1200 Mh/s with no downtime except for the occasional power outages in Jakarta.

Even with the one board and the suspect fuse it doesn't cause any issues.

Very happy with these units. I can see why they are hard to buy owners not willing to give them up too easily. Wish I could get some more.

[Zeronic]

I saw a post on IRC that we would need at least 300+ orders for them to run another patch and it would take 12 to 18 weeks.

[Ltcfaucet]

I saw a post on IRC that we would need at least 300+ orders for them to run another patch and it would take 12 to 18 weeks.

At retail of $550?

Or at a discounted price?

[Zeronic]

Since these would be brand new units, I would guess the $550 price tag.

[Ltcfaucet]

Since these would be brand new units, I would guess the $550 price tag.

I wouldn't think it would be worth it at that point.

If they could cut the cost in half I would purchase more.

[Bicknellski]

Should we start another thread? Timing though sucks 3 months minimum?

Might be too long and I got my 3 used at about $450... loved to get more. Already paid mine off if the BTC price was still $266 lol oh well easy come easy go.

Start a new thread let's see who is willing. The DIY Asic might be more reasonably priced. Also I thought there was talk of the X6500 being open sourced?