1st Post - Newb trying to understand miner devices correctly

[Oklahoma Guy]

Hello world.

So I totally have been watching this for some time and decided to try and learn more about mining hardware.

I'm trying to understand their power supply requirements better as some units say they are rated for 220V (example the DragonMint)

I do want to try my hand at some gear soon, (assuming I can get my hands on some) but

The miners aren't all 220V power are they?    What kind of power infrastructure do I need to plan for here?

What's odd is that DragonMint says it's 220V but uses a "standard" power cable like our computers all use...hence my confusion on the matter.

On one page I saw the Antminer S9 PSU with 10 plugs has spec info for BOTH power levels, 110v and 220v...are the PSU's rated for EITHER or one or the other?

I've yet to touch my first unit, but I'd sure like to prep a proper electrical plug for it if I ever do get one...

Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Ike in Oklahoma

[philipma1957]

here we go

any gear using 1200 watts is far better off on a 220-240 circuit.

the antminer s-9 = loud loud loud and if you want one you really can't get it that quiet.

the avalon 741 can be lowered a bit to use 1000 watts and run on normal power in the usa.

the dragon mint does not exist and is vaporware for now.  it may be real or it may be a scam.

so can you have a 220-240 volt 30 amp circuit put in for maybe 4 s-9s?
can you stand the heat they will put off?


and can you stand the noise?

I suggest you find an avalon 741 set it to -2 and use this psu


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosewill-TOKAMAK-1200W-Full-Modular-Power-Supply-80-PLUS-TITANIUM-Certified/182892301128?

[fyoung55]

Welcome to the mining world!  Miners use any standard power supply that has pcie connectors.  Most of the Asics draw 900w to 1500w, so a single circuit is best.  Some power supply units (PSU) are built specifically for miners.  The apw3 is from bitmain and runs on either 110v or 220v.  It can handle 1200w on 110v or 1600w on 220v.  They use the standard PC PSU connector known as c13.  You just need the right cord that has either the normal 110v or a special 220v on the other end.  This might help with that part...

https://i.stack.imgur.com/OLiV9.jpg

I use 220v because the s9 miner pulls 1350w so it's over the 1200w the apw3 supplies on 110v.  There are actually lots of different PSUs out there.  Modular PC PSUs are a popular choice as well.

Also, miners are crazy loud, so plan on putting them where you don't spend a lot of time.  Think vacuum cleaner loud.

Hope that helps.

[Oklahoma Guy]

Thank you both for great info!

My wife and I are really interested in getting started, so having an electrician put in a dedicated 220V line for a 4 pack of higher end miners is what we originally talked about...

You given me something to think about regarding the noise....i never realized they'd be Vacuum cleaner loud....   I'm used to having loud Server fans running in my office but
this sounds WAY louder!!!   lol...i don't think I'd like it in my current setup space at all hahahaha....3 feet from my main computer.

If I had a 220v line ran, how do you split it off for more than one miner?   In the US here where I am, a 220V line is typically for a single appliance and no more.

I love the plug image you gave me by the way.

Would an electrician know how to set that up for more than one miner? 

I realize getting my hands on a miner at all right now is practically wishful thinking, but my wife is on board so we're really going to try and get started.

I am thankful for any more info and advice!!!

Thank you both

ike

[Steamtyme]

Depending on what you chose to use for your miners, I would make the circuit a 30 amp circuit and look into getting a PDU, this is a Power distribution unit that allows you to plug more than 1 PSU into it and effectively distribute the power. Once you've looked into what hardware you want to buy, come back and the forum can help break down what you need step by step. I grabbed my PDU of ebay, for 50 bucks.

Also make sure you have a plan to remove heat from the space you will be using, these units essentially convert all power into heat..

Good luck

[fyoung55]

Yes, heat can be an issue. You know those little 1500w electric heaters?  Imagine four of those running 24/7.  In july...

As far as the electric, a 110v circuit has a hot and a neutral.  Electricity needs a circuit to work, so power comes "in" on the hot (black) and "out" on the neutral (white).  Most 220v lines in the US use the black and white as hot.  Power here is split phase so the alternating happens at different times.  When the black is hot the white is neutral and vice versa... 60 times per second.

As to your question, I'm not sure of that alternating syncs up over multiple ouets. The PDU is probably your best bet.

[Oklahoma Guy]

Thank you both again so much for the helpful replies!

At this point getting my hands on hardware is the only consideration as to what my power consumption needs will be.


Might I inquire your preferred places of purchase for quality mining hardware? 
I've looked at bitmain, Blokforge, and a couple others that look questionable....it's a maze out there!

I appreciate any info you may have.

I also noticed bitmain only takes bitcoin as payment, which is ok, I'll just need to buy some bitcoin and get my feet wet! lol

ike

[fyoung55]

Bitmain actually takes Bitcoin Cash (BCH)... which is different than Bitcoin (BTC).  BCH is tough for me to get since all of the normal exchanges people use don't do business in my state.  You'll be waiting for the next batch which is who knows when.

As far as getting hardware in general:

There are a million scammers out there, if you buy from a website, only buy from the manufacturer or their approved vendors.

Ebay has them ready stock, but expect to pay for it... 2x to 4x original cost

Check the marketplace on here, lots of people willing to sell.  If you want to get your feet wet, maybe try some last generation miners like the antminer S7 or the ebit e9?  They are older and less efficient (and I think still profitable), but people are more readily likely to sell them.  Still scammers cruising this forum, so if you do settle on a deal, demand escrow through one of the trustworthy legendaries like ognasty or phillipma.

[jackacelives]

I would suggest starting with an older model if you can find one. It wont come with the enormous S9 tax and you will still learn a huge amount about mining, noise, heat, setup, pools, etc before you go out and drop the big $ on an S9 or whatever new comes out in the future. I picked up two S7's and my god have I learned more than I ever wanted to about them. The first day I got my first unit, I plugged it into the wall in my spare bedroom, the fans came on after flipping it on and i was like wow everyone exaggerated the noise... then it actually booted fully and the fans kicked on to full speed... its now out in the garage with the others as I learned that lesson in about 2.3 seconds! Read up on the common issues, fixes, maintenance costs, etc. I have spent countless hours on some of the most trivial fixes, and also had to take out my soldering iron for some not so trivial things.

[Oklahoma Guy]

Thank you again for the great info and replies!

I'm starting to feel like the Canaan 741 might be a good first purchase, of course if I can get one.  It's not a super powerful unit, but the cost is really reasonable ...for now...again, if I can acquire one.

My father has a rental house sitting empty that has a very large power panel on it.  It has room to make up to 8 240V breakers on it!!!   I need to contract an electrician and get an estimate for a PDU or some form of one...I hope the guy knows alot about electricity!  (In my town, you never know how much they really know! hahaha)

The house has a whole house exhaust fan in the ceiling not far from the area I would setup my units and the noise won't matter as it's empty! 

It's hard not to want to go crazy and jump in....doing all the calculators makes this look like a sure money maker and I get all excited about it and want to rush, but my wife is very skeptical and to her EVERYONE and EVERYTHING is a scammer....She's been burned on Ebay as she is a very active seller of unrelated things...

I want to do it right though too.

Thank you for the great info!!!