49 Port Block Erupter USB Hub Problems

[pjviitas]

It looks like these 49 Port Block Erupter USB Hubs don't work right...or at least it does not work like a regular USB hub.

Two main problems:
1. When powering up the hub the switching power supply doesn't seem to sense the load and the hub doesn't power up.
2. When plugging the hub into the computer the USB sticks do not get detected until you unplug all of them and then plug them back in one by one.

So if there is a power outage this would be the procedure:
1. Unplug the USB cable from the computer
2. Fiddle with the power switch on the power supply until the hub powers up
3. Remove all the BE sticks from the hub
4. Reboot the computer
5. Plug the USB cable into the computer
6. Insert the BE sticks into the hub one by one

I am not sure what designer would spec a USB hub to work this way but it is definitely not nominal.

I have tried it on 2 computers with exactly the same results.

Anyone willing to comment on their experiences with these hubs would be appreciated.

Hedghog

[xjack]

I used to get the results you describe with my cambrionix 49 port on win7.

Now I'm mining on Linux and have both the cambrionix and block erupter hub working fine.

Poke around a little for directions on how to remove disconnected USB devices.  Frustration with windows led me to Linux as a mining host.

As for the hub not powering, try a different psu.  I tried 2 or 3 from the graveyard before finding a couple that work.

[pjviitas]

I used to get the results you describe with my cambrionix 49 port on win7.

Now I'm mining on Linux and have both the cambrionix and block erupter hub working fine.

Poke around a little for directions on how to remove disconnected USB devices.  Frustration with windows led me to Linux as a mining host.

As for the hub not powering, try a different psu.  I tried 2 or 3 from the graveyard before finding a couple that work.

Thank you for your feedback.

So what I am experiencing is a windows thing which doesn't surprise me now that you mention it...which version of Linux you running?

Regarding my PSU it is a 5V 30A unit and runs all 49 BE sticks just fine.  When first turning it on however, it seems a little slow picking up the load but always catches on eventually.  I think this is just a switching power supply thing.

Thanks again for your help.

[xjack]

Every PC is different, but I'm running 112 units on an xubuntu 12.04 headless nettop pc - after it was set up, I moved it to the basement and ssh to get any maintenance done.

Weirdness on windows (ASUS Sabertooth Z77) - limited only to the problem you describe above.  Win7 not picking up all the hub ports, not detecting some erupters, having to unplug/replug, etc.  Not an option for me given the number of units to plug/unplug and connector wear and tear.

Weirdness on Linux (probably due to the host pc) - 111 units absolutely detect and hash on every boot.  Sometimes a unit or two hashes but doesn't submit work.  Sometimes one unit doesn't pick up with a cgminer driver error.  Always resolved with a reboot or two - once you get that "magic" bootup, it's solid ad infinitum.

[ipxtreme]

Every PC is different, but I'm running 112 units on an xubuntu 12.04 headless nettop pc - after it was set up, I moved it to the basement and ssh to get any maintenance done.

Weirdness on windows (ASUS Sabertooth Z77) - limited only to the problem you describe above.  Win7 not picking up all the hub ports, not detecting some erupters, having to unplug/replug, etc.  Not an option for me given the number of units to plug/unplug and connector wear and tear.

Weirdness on Linux (probably due to the host pc) - 111 units absolutely detect and hash on every boot.  Sometimes a unit or two hashes but doesn't submit work.  Sometimes one unit doesn't pick up with a cgminer driver error.  Always resolved with a reboot or two - once you get that "magic" bootup, it's solid ad infinitum.

Xjack, thanks for the info. Do you have link to how to set this up with Linux?

[loshia]

It looks like these 49 Port Block Erupter USB Hubs don't work right...or at least it does not work like a regular USB hub.

Two main problems:
1. When powering up the hub the switching power supply doesn't seem to sense the load and the hub doesn't power up.
2. When plugging the hub into the computer the USB sticks do not get detected until you unplug all of them and then plug them back in one by one.

So if there is a power outage this would be the procedure:
1. Unplug the USB cable from the computer
2. Fiddle with the power switch on the power supply until the hub powers up
3. Remove all the BE sticks from the hub
4. Reboot the computer
5. Plug the USB cable into the computer
6. Insert the BE sticks into the hub one by one

I am not sure what designer would spec a USB hub to work this way but it is definitely not nominal.

I have tried it on 2 computers with exactly the same results.

Anyone willing to comment on their experiences with these hubs would be appreciated.

Hedghog

Hey,
powering 49 USb sticks 5V from single psu is madness. It will never work. Have you calculated how much Amps/5V do you need If you PSU can take them at all before magic smoke comes out (in case you use your PSU to power the hub)?


What i can tell you in general

Minimize/split your setup like this

Single mining host + USB hub + single PSU all to share a common ground from PSU (5V for hub power shall come from PSU also). Do your math and see how many USB sticks in terms of amps can your PSU take. If i were you i would measure 5V load with single usb stick mining.  Leave at least 15% spare on 5V rail.  Never use external power for your hubs. Never! In general split you setup in small parts and never ever use a hub which can not be powered from single PSU

Just an advise
PS: i am not mentioning the fact that hub paths are thin and it can explode due to high amperage

Have in mind that PSU is designed to provide AMPs from 12V rail not from 5V unfortunately. And if you use cheap PSU it may turn out that due to high 5V load especially on start up (that is why you need to plug them one by one probably) when all usb sticks are plugged you got 20-30V (even more) instead of 12 on 12V rail. so It will be a good idea to measure 12V rail before you plug anything in it

In general if you want more hashing power go for a 12V miner that is all

 

[xjack]

SPOBI.

I've been mining since July on the cambrionix and an old antec psu.  My erupter hub has been fine from day 1 on a new psu rated for the right 5v load.

OP.  Ubuntu primer is everywhere.  Google headless Ubuntu cgminer.

[loshia]

SPOBI.

I've been mining since July on the cambrionix and an old antec psu.  My erupter hub has been fine from day 1 on a new psu rated for the right 5v load.

OP.  Ubuntu primer is everywhere.  Google headless Ubuntu cgminer.

Hey,
Would you be so kind to tell me how is the load at 5V in terms of amps and how many USB's are plugged?
10X

[xjack]

SPOBI.

I've been mining since July on the cambrionix and an old antec psu.  My erupter hub has been fine from day 1 on a new psu rated for the right 5v load.

OP.  Ubuntu primer is everywhere.  Google headless Ubuntu cgminer.

Hey,
Would you be so kind to tell me how is the load at 5V in terms of amps and how many USB's are plugged?
10X

My cambrionix runs 48 erupters on antec true480 rated 5v@36 amps.

Block erupter hub runs 44 usbs on a new logisys 550 5v@38amps.

Spare is a sparkle 450 5v@30amps good for about 36 erupters.

[loshia]

SPOBI.

I've been mining since July on the cambrionix and an old antec psu.  My erupter hub has been fine from day 1 on a new psu rated for the right 5v load.

OP.  Ubuntu primer is everywhere.  Google headless Ubuntu cgminer.

Hey,
Would you be so kind to tell me how is the load at 5V in terms of amps and how many USB's are plugged?
10X

My cambrionix runs 48 erupters on antec true480 rated 5v@36 amps.

Block erupter hub runs 44 usbs on a new logisys 550 5v@38amps.

Spare is a sparkle 450 5v@30amps good for about 36 erupters.

Thanks for the info!
That hub must be very well build to stand 20+Amps. Thick paths inside

10X

[ipxtreme]

I had similar problems.

I used to use Windows 7 and moved away from it. I now use Minepeon and it instantly came up and you can configure any pool you want. It is running very smoothly and if my Raspberry Pi reboots, it starts up the mining automatically.

I don't have to unplug th ehub, unplug every erupter, reinster them one at a time....blah blah blah! It works perfectly.  Lowe power too!