Klondike K16 build - USB and power connections

[rascal777]

So, as some of us may be receiving the Klondikes (K16) soon,  How should we connect, say 10 of them together?
Best case scenario that the klondikes are provided with some basic power connectors/wiring.

I don't even know what power connector is exactly on the K16 or what power cord is coming with it.


Here is a link to some pictures on SteamBoat's group buy:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg3405181#msg3405181

I also noticed this thread for cooling 38 Klondikes-
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=215893.0

Links to USB Hubs, pictures of setups, and Power Cable Splicing ideas wanted!

[1714992984]

1714992984

[1714992984]

1714992984

[1714992984]

1714992984

[1714992984]

1714992984

[1714992984]

1714992984

[fire5]

ask terrahash about cooling info he had some heatsinks

[fasmax]

The power connector is a 6 pin PCI-E connector same connector that is found on some video boards.

I don't think the I2C is working yet so if you have requested your units as is your going to need some USB ports.

The K16 uses +12volts and I would allow about 4 amps to 5 amps per K16. So if my power supply was rated for 12 volts at 40 amps I would not connect more than 10 in fact I probably would start with 8 and see how that went.

[Duetschpire]

reserved

[Unacceptable]

I'm useing this 7 port powered hub:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817659004

I got it awhile ago for some BE's but it didn't fair well for them even with a 5 volt 20 amp powersupply feeding it.

But it does just fine for my 6 Klondikes with the stock 2.6 amp wallwort 

The fans on the miners need power from either a 4 pin molex or 2-3 pin fan connector & your going to want a fan on the backside too,it really helps.

Here's some pics of the cables I made:

4 pin molex:


6 pin PCIE:


Good luck!!

[jesse11]

I'll use to diykit to setup the first miner then daisychain the rest  

[ScaryHash]

Can we get a blow-up of that usb cable?

I bought a bunch of A to A male USB cables, thinking that they would be useful for the klondikes.

Will the daisychaining feature work in the new firmware, so hopefully that will not be necessary?

Thanks.

[Unacceptable]

Same USB cable as most cameras,I got these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270121

They work just fine  

[rascal777]

Ok, so I am lost as to what the Spring and the white washer is for?   Any build pics or videos?

[chadtn]

Ok, so I am lost as to what the Spring and the white washer is for?   Any build pics or videos?

I believe those are for attaching the heatsink.  I think the purpose of the spring is to maintain a perfect flat "seal" against the chips.  If you were to only use screws it would easily be possible to crack the chips if you over torqued them and applied too much pressure.

Chad

[rascal777]

Yes, I think that you are right... I've attached the heatsink with the short screws and spring, and placed the washer between the spring and PCB.  I wonder how much to torque?


SO, now I am in need of setting up a cgminer .conf file.

[Bogart]

You don't need any special cgminer options unless you want to change the clockspeed or target temperature. See the ASIC-README file included with cgminer if you want to experiment with those.

All you need to do is need to specify --enable-klondike when building cgminer.

The USB connector is a regular mini-USB.  Same as is on an Icarus, Lancelot, Ztex, Cairnsmore1, Chili, all BFL products, and about every other USB miner ever made (Bitburners being one exception).

[rascal777]

what about the Fan Connector, which way does it go on the pins, or does it matter?

I am confused as to why I cannot find this simple information...   Is this listed somewhere?

[rascal777]

So the Fan connector needs to have the little flanges facing away from the heatsink.  It doesn't look like it hurts anything to hook it up backwards.

BTW, the DIY KIT is very professional and it is QUALITY, and so much attention to detail.  Fans are silent, Thermal grease is just the right amount in a syringe,  there is a PCI Y power cable that hooks to each board and a extension that goes to the power supply.

[morris14ccm]

I posted my .conf file in the main thread here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg3528259#msg3528259

[ScaryHash]

Well, I finally connected everything up with new Belkin usb 2.0 7-port hubs, because the Anker 3.0 hubs were not recognizing the K16's, and now I'm getting another error"

KLN2:0 went idle before work was sent
KLN3:0 went idle before work was sent
.
.
So only 1 out of 6 KLN is actually hashing, the rest just sit there at zero hash rate. WTF ! They were working before, and now nothing.

Having the same problem on windows as on Linux. What is up with this??

Using cgminer 3.7.2 on linux, and same on windows...crazy stuff. On windows this appears to happen when the zadig driver does not load properly. But now it's happening on my Linux box too (Linux mint 14) with custom compiled cgminer.

Anybody got any ideas?

[rascal777]

I set up Using cgminer 3.7.2 on windows, and am connected to the Eligius Pool.  everything is working fine for me, but I do get a lot of went idle before work was sent messages.  I also made a .conf file and am using the cgminer-nogpu.exe

[ScaryHash]

solved the problem thanks to zipju. Check out the klondike org under the raspberri pi. YOu have to recompile and change the variables about line 58 to this:

#define REPLY_WAIT_TIME 25
#define CMD_REPLY_RETRIES 4

The default values are 100 and 8 respectively.

I did it and recompiled on Linux. Unfortunately, I have no clue how to do that on windows.

Less errors.

[rascal777]

Hmmm....   So, I wonder if that will help out my hash rate.

I also am wondering if there is a limit on how many K16's that I am able to hook up to a computer.

[torzsy]

Hmmm....   So, I wonder if that will help out my hash rate.

I also am wondering if there is a limit on how many K16's that I am able to hook up to a computer.

I had similar problems. Two K16s, one of them did only 2.5 GH @ 300 MHz. Now I use cgminer 3.7.2, cgminer-nogpu.exe, 350 MHz and 55 temp kill. It seems stable now with a BFL Little Single.

Another strange issue, that I have to replug the coolers to make K16s work. I works like a "reset" button. Nevermind, its up and running on 5.5 GH each. I use Windows 7 64bit with remote access. The whole rig pulls 315 watts from the wall.

Cheers!

edit: later will try to run them with my Raspberry.

[rascal777]

So, I do have some problems with my klondikes...  Sometimes one or two will freeze up and go to 0.0000 hashrate.

I have two K-16's that sometimes freeze up, and then upon restart, will not work, until they have been placed outside in the freezing cold for a while until they get very cold.  Then they will run fine for a day or two, then freeze up.

Also, I have 2 K-16's that will just simply just throw a bunch of hardware errors, no matter what I do. I'm going to check voltages soon.

[Unacceptable]

Check your power cables,I had one act similar & swapped cables & viola it worked ever since 

[torzsy]

So, I do have some problems with my klondikes...  Sometimes one or two will freeze up and go to 0.0000 hashrate.

I have two K-16's that sometimes freeze up, and then upon restart, will not work, until they have been placed outside in the freezing cold for a while until they get very cold.  Then they will run fine for a day or two, then freeze up.

Also, I have 2 K-16's that will just simply just throw a bunch of hardware errors, no matter what I do. I'm going to check voltages soon.

Did you try with different version of cgminer? I was able to use them only with 3.7.2. Other versions didnt work. And yeah, check cables too.

[Unacceptable]

So, I do have some problems with my klondikes...  Sometimes one or two will freeze up and go to 0.0000 hashrate.

I have two K-16's that sometimes freeze up, and then upon restart, will not work, until they have been placed outside in the freezing cold for a while until they get very cold.  Then they will run fine for a day or two, then freeze up.

Also, I have 2 K-16's that will just simply just throw a bunch of hardware errors, no matter what I do. I'm going to check voltages soon.

Did you try with different version of cgminer? I was able to use them only with 3.7.2. Other versions didnt work. And yeah, check cables too.

3.7.0 worked best for me    different PC's,different results.............imagine that    

Here's how it worked for me in Win7:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg3565896#msg3565896

Also,cooling the backside is mandatory for lower temps    Setup like this brought the temps down to 44-50C.With no backside cooling-as high as 63C 

[torzsy]

So, I do have some problems with my klondikes...  Sometimes one or two will freeze up and go to 0.0000 hashrate.

I have two K-16's that sometimes freeze up, and then upon restart, will not work, until they have been placed outside in the freezing cold for a while until they get very cold.  Then they will run fine for a day or two, then freeze up.

Also, I have 2 K-16's that will just simply just throw a bunch of hardware errors, no matter what I do. I'm going to check voltages soon.

Did you try with different version of cgminer? I was able to use them only with 3.7.2. Other versions didnt work. And yeah, check cables too.

3.7.0 worked best for me    different PC's,different results.............imagine that    

Here's how it worked for me in Win7:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg3565896#msg3565896

Also,cooling the backside is mandatory for lower temps    Setup like this brought the temps down to 44-50C.With no backside cooling-as high as 63C 

Nice setup! Do you store the blockchain on floppies? 

[Unacceptable]

So, I do have some problems with my klondikes...  Sometimes one or two will freeze up and go to 0.0000 hashrate.

I have two K-16's that sometimes freeze up, and then upon restart, will not work, until they have been placed outside in the freezing cold for a while until they get very cold.  Then they will run fine for a day or two, then freeze up.

Also, I have 2 K-16's that will just simply just throw a bunch of hardware errors, no matter what I do. I'm going to check voltages soon.

Did you try with different version of cgminer? I was able to use them only with 3.7.2. Other versions didnt work. And yeah, check cables too.

3.7.0 worked best for me    different PC's,different results.............imagine that    

Here's how it worked for me in Win7:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg3565896#msg3565896

Also,cooling the backside is mandatory for lower temps    Setup like this brought the temps down to 44-50C.With no backside cooling-as high as 63C 

Nice setup! Do you store the blockchain on floppies? 

   No,of course not....I use cassettes,LOTS of em    Those old FD's make great risers though   

I scrap PC's so I have ALOT old crap layin around..........until it hits the recycler or Ebay