The Chili – 30+GH/s BFL based Bitcoin Miner Assembly

[Spieder]

Anyone know how many chips were processed in batch 1. I'm wondering if this next batch will be higher volume.

[MrTeal]

I'm perplexed as to what I can mount the PCI-e cards on... most PCI-e racks are angled and probably not stable when you add a fan, and I can't find a backplane with dummy slots that I can just buy one of.

I'm not sure what you mean by angled, but the idea for using PCIe was that someone who was going for high density could mount them in a 19" rack chassis for use in a datacenter. For someone that just has a few, you could just mount them on a simple system like the open air racks we used to use in the GPU days, or even forgo PCIe mounting altogether and just mount them flat on standoffs.

[MrTeal]

A quick update. As was mentioned before, we are going to be into next week for shipping. It's absolutely not what we wanted obviously, but the way it lined up meant that a slip of a couple days pushes things from shipping at the end of one week to several real days later on the other side of the weekend.

I really do apologize for this, while getting shipping out by Friday was always the best estimate I really wanted to get it done so it's pretty disappointing that we're not there yet. I was looking forward to relaxing on Thanksgiving and eating turkey instead of dealing with getting shipping labels created and sent off.

Also, for everyone that is anxious for information on batch two, we're still working on that and need to wait until we get a better understanding of the numbers involved and can get a date from the assembly house before we order additional PCBs. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation in that if we need to get interest before we can order PCBs since if we order too many it could kill any margin we make on this project, but if we don't get ahead and order them early they become very costly. I'm trying to get to everyone's PM in a reasonable amount of time, but some slip a little bit especially for the batch 2 stuff as we're very focused on getting our existing paid customers their product as soon as possible rather than worrying about preselling a bunch more product. That will come in time, and I'll get back to you all as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.

[oldbushie]

I'm perplexed as to what I can mount the PCI-e cards on... most PCI-e racks are angled and probably not stable when you add a fan, and I can't find a backplane with dummy slots that I can just buy one of.

I'm not sure what you mean by angled, but the idea for using PCIe was that someone who was going for high density could mount them in a 19" rack chassis for use in a datacenter. For someone that just has a few, you could just mount them on a simple system like the open air racks we used to use in the GPU days, or even forgo PCIe mounting altogether and just mount them flat on standoffs.

By rack I meant the plastic thingies used for assembly. I wouldn't mind mounting them flat on standoffs, but what would I screw the standoffs into? I can't exactly use a block of wood with the kind of threading used in standoffs. Or would I just then screw the standoffs into spacers and then set the boards on the floor like that?

Edit: Also, are fan power connectors built into these boards? Or will I need to connect them directly to the ATX power supply somehow?

[mmmerlin]

A quick update. As was mentioned before, we are going to be into next week for shipping. It's absolutely not what we wanted obviously, but the way it lined up meant that a slip of a couple days pushes things from shipping at the end of one week to several real days later on the other side of the weekend.

I really do apologize for this, while getting shipping out by Friday was always the best estimate I really wanted to get it done so it's pretty disappointing that we're not there yet. I was looking forward to relaxing on Thanksgiving and eating turkey instead of dealing with getting shipping labels created and sent off.

Also, for everyone that is anxious for information on batch two, we're still working on that and need to wait until we get a better understanding of the numbers involved and can get a date from the assembly house before we order additional PCBs. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation in that if we need to get interest before we can order PCBs since if we order too many it could kill any margin we make on this project, but if we don't get ahead and order them early they become very costly. I'm trying to get to everyone's PM in a reasonable amount of time, but some slip a little bit especially for the batch 2 stuff as we're very focused on getting our existing paid customers their product as soon as possible rather than worrying about preselling a bunch more product. That will come in time, and I'll get back to you all as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.

This is madness - both of these things are in direct conflict with the BFL model!

You are supposed to be angry at the customers when you're late with shipping, be a lot later than you are, and refuse to give any reasons or apologise at all. And you're definitely not supposed to focus on the current customers, all your focus now should be on both drumming up more orders and secretly designing a second board - if you can use the preorder money that you didn't take from the first batch to fund that then that would be even better.

Honestly, can you sort it out though please - what kind of highly professional and courteous operation is this? You're gonna freak my BFL chips out, they weren't raised to be treated like this!

[oldbushie]

Another question: What are the USB connections on the board? Regular USB? Micro? Mini? I have a ton of spare cables but I want to see if I have the right ones handy.

[mmmerlin]

Another question: What are the USB connections on the board? Regular USB? Micro? Mini? I have a ton of spare cables but I want to see if I have the right ones handy.

Asked and answered - it's Micro USB.

(not having a go, just emphasising that this is direct from MrTeal and not speculation.)

[ChipGeek]

Another question: What are the USB connections on the board? Regular USB? Micro? Mini? I have a ton of spare cables but I want to see if I have the right ones handy.

Asked and answered - it's Micro USB.

(not having a go, just emphasising that this is direct from MrTeal and not speculation.)

Close.

For the record:  It's MINI-USB - exactly the same as the BFL cables.

[ChipGeek]

This is madness - both of these things are in direct conflict with the BFL model!

You are supposed to be angry at the customers when you're late with shipping, be a lot later than you are, and refuse to give any reasons or apologise at all. And you're definitely not supposed to focus on the current customers, all your focus now should be on both drumming up more orders and secretly designing a second board - if you can use the preorder money that you didn't take from the first batch to fund that then that would be even better.

Honestly, can you sort it out though please - what kind of highly professional and courteous operation is this? You're gonna freak my BFL chips out, they weren't raised to be treated like this!

  Thanks for this.  I needed a good laugh after way too many nights of not enough sleep. 

(Insert angry rant here at mmmerlin for good measure.)

[notlist3d]

Very interested to see where project goes.  Wanted to thank MrTeal and team for doing such a solid job. 

TH had scared me from getting anything but ASICminer.  But your professionalism to work on a solid plan to get product parts, assembly, all the way to customers is refreshing to see.  I'm definitely going to be running some numbers after batch 2 info is announced.  You successfully did more then TH before even announcing your product to public, again thanks for keeping being a professional alive.

[mmmerlin]

Another question: What are the USB connections on the board? Regular USB? Micro? Mini? I have a ton of spare cables but I want to see if I have the right ones handy.

Asked and answered - it's Micro USB.

(not having a go, just emphasising that this is direct from MrTeal and not speculation.)

Close.

For the record:  It's MINI-USB - exactly the same as the BFL cables.

FML - you are of course quite right, that is what is was what was confirmed, and I was so careful too. I am so sleep deprived at the moment, apologies to anyone who accidentally listened to me... 

[boost75]

I was looking forward to relaxing on Thanksgiving and eating turkey instead of dealing with getting shipping labels created and sent off.

That's still a month away, I'm hoping these ship a lot sooner than that....

[mmmerlin]

Very interested to see where project goes.  Wanted to thank MrTeal and team for doing such a solid job. 

TH had scared me from getting anything but ASICminer.  But your professionalism to work on a solid plan to get product parts, assembly, all the way to customers is refreshing to see.  I'm definitely going to be running some numbers after batch 2 info is announced.  You successfully did more then TH before even announcing your product to public, again thanks for keeping being a professional alive.

I know, right?! It it's almost like there is no excuse for how badly BFL screwed up...  

[Bargraphics]

I was looking forward to relaxing on Thanksgiving and eating turkey instead of dealing with getting shipping labels created and sent off.

That's still a month away, I'm hoping these ship a lot sooner than that....

Canadian Thanksgiving silly!
Mon Oct 14 2013   Thanksgiving Day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/thanksgiving-day

[boost75]

I was looking forward to relaxing on Thanksgiving and eating turkey instead of dealing with getting shipping labels created and sent off.

That's still a month away, I'm hoping these ship a lot sooner than that....

Canadian Thanksgiving silly!
Mon Oct 14 2013   Thanksgiving Day
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/thanksgiving-day

Phew. Guess I've been an abused BFL customer for too long...

[sebdude420]

MrTeal just go enjoy thanks giving man. You deserve it!

[nwfella]

MrTeal, what the heck man!! Not use to all this customer kindness BS so knock it off!! I agree you guys have done an amazing job thus far with this project.

[MrTeal]

Well, things are going good today. The word from assembly is that SMT will be finished today, and testing is underway now.

[Bargraphics]

Well, things are going good today. The word from assembly is that SMT will be finished today, and testing is underway now.

I hope you are stuffing your face with Turkey while those are being tested. Enjoy the Holiday you deserve it!

[jelin1984]

What cooler fan you had put at board?