BFL Product Failures / Underperformance.

[bcp19]

My butterfly just stopped working.

It doesn't turn on. The fans are not moving. I don't know if it's the bf mining device per se, or the power unit that comes with it, because it's also quiet.

Any suggestion?  I emailed BFL several times, but they haven't reply me back.  It took a year from my payment to delivery.....and 4 months later, it broke.

Thanks
B.

It does sound like the PSU died.  If you go to your dashboard on the BFL site, you can request an RMA from there.

[1713587363]

1713587363

[1713587363]

1713587363

[Bitconian]

Thank you all!

I just emailed them through its website (and the RMA, which I don't know what it means) and I will keep you inform.

The other emails I sent them yesterday have bounced me back.

thanks everybody!
B.

edit: RMA= Return Material Authorization

[linemeks]

Hi there ,  

Today lost my Fan Helder (JALAPENO) , I tried to tight it (It was abit loose) , And I was panicking that time
And used the electric Screw Driver... Result? Pop!
Is there anyways I can return / Get a repair?

Also I bought this on Ebay , So I can't do RMA? (Its was 12Gh/s too   )

https://i.imgur.com/Mjo45rn.jpg

EDIT : Decided to put it in my computer , Looks so better

[PuertoLibre]

Hi there ,  

Today lost my Fan Helder (JALAPENO) , I tried to tight it (It was abit loose) , And I was panicking that time
And used the electric Screw Driver... Result? Pop!
Is there anyways I can return / Get a repair?

Also I bought this on Ebay , So I can't do RMA? (Its was 12Gh/s too   )

If you can't get an RMA via BFL then it means all BFL hardware sold on Ebay is effectively without warranty.

[bcp19]

Hi there ,  

Today lost my Fan Helder (JALAPENO) , I tried to tight it (It was abit loose) , And I was panicking that time
And used the electric Screw Driver... Result? Pop!
Is there anyways I can return / Get a repair?

Also I bought this on Ebay , So I can't do RMA? (Its was 12Gh/s too   )

By my understanding, you can do an RMA, there is some sort of third-party RMA available... you may need to email them to find out more.

Personally though, why RMA it for something that simple?  The device appears to be working as per your picture, I'd simply get some superglue and put the screw back in, that way you have no loss of mining while waiting for a new unit.

[Bicknellski]

Twitter:

CoinChomp ‏@CoinChomp 17h
ButterflyLabs booth. Staff fielding frenzied questions. From pissed off customers perhaps? pic.twitter.com/0CjwpetJTl

Zentoshi ‏@Zentoshi_btc Jan 23
@ButterflyLabs  Our miner has stopped working. Only lasted 4 months and waited more than a year to receive it! And as usual you don't answer

BMG4 ‏@BryanGrant Jan 24
@ButterflyLabs We made an order 2 wks ago. Been trying to reach you since then. No responses from @ButterflyLabs to emails or phone calls.

[linemeks]

[/quote]By my understanding, you can do an RMA, there is some sort of third-party RMA available... you may need to email them to find out more.

Personally though, why RMA it for something that simple?  The device appears to be working as per your picture, I'd simply get some superglue and put the screw back in, that way you have no loss of mining while waiting for a new unit.
[/quote]

Well , Decided to put a superglue on it , But thanks for Guidance's!

[Bicknellski]

Did the glue hold?

[Bicknellski]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=430525.msg4840236#msg4840236

Good News Folks...

For those that knuckled under over BFL saying this has been beat to death... The problem is many people knuckle under when someone talks with w/supposed authority and do not follow through...

I just got off the phone with the FCC's technical standards division

Jim Szeliga
301-362-3051

He stated the BFL USB connected devices are PERIPHIALS under FCC law and require "Equipment Authorization" PERIOD no ifs ands or buts That the device until authorized cannot be marketed or sold to anyone in the USA.

WE are referring the case over to the FCC enforcement division today

Class action is 1 step closer....

Anyone want to join me now? I am now interviewing law firms to see who will be best for this case.

Call Jim and ask... They need to get their phone blown up on this. Let him know how much you spent and that you want your money back as well.

George

[Bicknellski]

21:41 kovert: I read somewhere that butterfly labs are not delivering the monarchs untill 2015 does this sound right
21:41 captainpugwash: i heard that yeah
21:42 captainpugwash: ppl must b fkin pissd
21:42 kovert: ahh ok not that i have ordered 1
21:42 kovert: I would be -- no refund either
21:42 captainpugwash: i know if the hw i preordered went back a year for delivery i wouldnt be happy
21:42 13oots2: this is BFL we are talking about, I only just got my Jally and it screwed up after 2 days
21:42 captainpugwash: holy sht! thr not offering money back, by the time it arrives the diff would be mental on BTC
21:42 kovert: true 13 -- Did you ever send it back
21:43 captainpugwash: 13oots, i start learning how to create YouTube videos next week Info
21:43 13oots2: Hardly worth it, it'll cost about £40 just to send back and will be worthless by the time they replace it

[Bicknellski]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=443759.msg4873580#msg4873580

Yesterday my 25GH/s Miner from Butterfly that mined at about 26,5 GH/s went down to about 21 GH/s, now i saw with bfgminer that 2 chips aren't working anymore. Any Hints on that?

Bye
Michael

 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0 51.0C | 5s:21.50 avg:17.49 u:18.56 Gh/s | A:13 R:0+0(none) HW:2/.34%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0a 51.0C | 5s: 3.32 avg: 2.70 u: 2.86 Gh/s | A:1 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0b 51.0C | 5s: 3.60 avg: 3.04 u: 3.26 Gh/s | A:1 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0c 51.0C | 5s: 3.48 avg: 2.85 u: 3.07 Gh/s | A:5 R:0+0(none) HW:1/1.0%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0d 51.0C | 5s: 3.73 avg: 3.04 u: 3.39 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:1/.93%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0e 51.0C | 5s:  0.0 avg:  0.0 u:  0.0  h/s | A:0 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0f 51.0C | 5s:  0.0 avg:  0.0 u:  0.0  h/s | A:0 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0g 51.0C | 5s: 3.68 avg: 3.01 u: 2.79 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0h 51.0C | 5s: 3.70 avg: 2.98 u: 3.32 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none

Solution? Put in a fridge or outside in the cold... really... quality engineering is that.

Chips probably need a reflow.
When you go from a hot to cold cycle the lead free solder can crack.
Just like the XBox 360 red ring of death.

[Bicknellski]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=444218.msg4880802#msg4880802

Hi everyone
This is my first mining rig and it wasn´t a good start. its a 50ghs BFL single that runs at 25.

[bcp19]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=443759.msg4873580#msg4873580

Yesterday my 25GH/s Miner from Butterfly that mined at about 26,5 GH/s went down to about 21 GH/s, now i saw with bfgminer that 2 chips aren't working anymore. Any Hints on that?

Bye
Michael

 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0 51.0C | 5s:21.50 avg:17.49 u:18.56 Gh/s | A:13 R:0+0(none) HW:2/.34%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0a 51.0C | 5s: 3.32 avg: 2.70 u: 2.86 Gh/s | A:1 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0b 51.0C | 5s: 3.60 avg: 3.04 u: 3.26 Gh/s | A:1 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0c 51.0C | 5s: 3.48 avg: 2.85 u: 3.07 Gh/s | A:5 R:0+0(none) HW:1/1.0%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0d 51.0C | 5s: 3.73 avg: 3.04 u: 3.39 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:1/.93%
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0e 51.0C | 5s:  0.0 avg:  0.0 u:  0.0  h/s | A:0 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0f 51.0C | 5s:  0.0 avg:  0.0 u:  0.0  h/s | A:0 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0g 51.0C | 5s: 3.68 avg: 3.01 u: 2.79 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none
 [2014-02-01 14:48:34] BFL0h 51.0C | 5s: 3.70 avg: 2.98 u: 3.32 Gh/s | A:2 R:0+0(none) HW:0/none

Solution? Put in a fridge or outside in the cold... really... quality engineering is that.

Chips probably need a reflow.
When you go from a hot to cold cycle the lead free solder can crack.
Just like the XBox 360 red ring of death.

You know something Bickski?  Your problem is that you don't know anything about engineering or you wouldn't be saying this.  Engineering has nothing to do with it, as this is a chip issue.  Unfortunately, the majority of end-users of mining equipment are not skilled enough to take on the challenge of disassembling and adding heatsinks in the proper locations and then reassembling the unit without causing more problems then they started with.  The easiest thing to do in such cases is to present a solution that ANYONE can handle, not deride things you know nothing about.  You claim to be 'performing a public service', yet you provide no solutions other than "stay away".  If you cared about the miners as much as you claim to, you'd be coming up with your own solutions to these problems instead of just documenting them and pointing a finger saying "See, stay away."

RMA is a costly process in both postage and down-time.  Presenting a solution to keep miners up and running is a win in my book.  Maybe that means nothing to you, but to me it seems that the more we help keep people up and running, the better it is for the network and the better it is for them.

[Bicknellski]

http://www.thewiring.com/?p=1257

TLDR;

I have been working in technology since 20 years and I’m passionate about it. I have all kinds of electronic
devices popping up from any drawer in my apartment and I can tell you with absolute certainty that
ButterflyLabs is the worst company I’ve ever dealt with. They are lacking all the components to make a
company a good company:

- the quality of their products is an absolute disaster;

- their shipping department has big problems. They even don’t check what is in their boxes and I have
   my doubts that USPS misunderstood Switzerland for China;

- after sales support does not exist except for their robot-like rma procedure.

Code:

Butterfly Labs experience. Lets your dollars fly away…
by Wire Master • February 1, 2014

I always had something telling me that the financial system we live in has something wrong. 
Growing perpetually in a physically limited world is simply not possible. Capitalism surely matches 
the nature of human kind which strives to have more and more, but we cannot go over the limits 
given to us by mother nature. Unfortunately in history, the extreme growth periods were followed 
by mass destruction wars, giving the grown “graph” a pulse trend.

Besides that, the financial system is driven by banks that together with the states governments 
have gotten into a sick mechanism of debts and money generation, going into a very dangerous 
direction.

So a few months ago I got fascinated by the Bitcoin idea. It’s a virtual currency that is not 
regulated by central banks and governments instead it goes into a different direction than the
 current world we live in. A limited number of Bitcoins will be issued in the next decades and they
 are released at a slow pace from the “miners”. Similar to the gold mining era, mining Bitcoins is
 not an easy task and this has to be performed by more and more powerful computers the more 
the mining fever raises.

Once it was possible to mine with a normal PC CPU or GPU, but as more power was required, 
dedicated hardware has been produced by a few companies around the world. This hardware is 
very expensive and most people who buy them are aware of the fact that they will not be able to 
mine the cost of the miner itself, so it’s not about becoming rich, it’s more about being part of a 
revolution.

I am one of those, believing that the instinct to grow is part of the human kind. It’s not all bad, 
it’s also the fuel to our progress. But probably I’m wrong and growth of ideas and progress can 
be unlinked by money growth or probably the other alternative Cryptocurrencies (virtual currencies) 
can give this opportunity. Not growing forever otherwise we are again in the same situation like now, 
but I am curious to see what happens. Or probably growth paths can be driven instead of being left 
to it’s own exponential destiny. Driven by the money eager parts of this system like banks, and as a 
consequence governments have to cope with that growth pace. Isn’t it so that nowadays the power 
is not anymore within the governments hands but in the moneys hands and that all the world has 
to run after that? Think about what you read in the first pages of all the newspapers around the 
world.

So I checked the web and the most popular Bitcoin mining hardware 
(ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit) producer is ButterflyLabs in the USA. The price of their 
products vary from few hundreds to several thousands of dollars.

In December 2013 I bought a Jalapeno 5GH/s from Butterfly Labs which I connected to my PC and 
after 5 days I had a power outage at home. It happened during a weekend I was away from home 
so I had a bad surprise in my fridge upon returning… After that, the device turned on again but could n
ot be detected by my PC anymore. I wrote some emails to Butterfly Labs, wrote in their forum but never 
received a feedback. If you are extremely lucky you get a standard email with their usual procedure: 
“apply for RMA (return merchandise authorisation)”. Not a word saying that they are sorry or that 
they will improve their products… nothing. So I had to ship this box to the USA with additional costs. 
Who knows how long the repairing procedure takes…

Before it broke down I decided to buy a more powerful one, a Single SC 50GH/s from Butterfly Labs. 
It’s a product worth around $1000 and when shipping to Europe that price becomes roughly $1150. 
Initially they send the parcel to China instead of Switzerland… but they blamed USPS for it. After several 
mails, forum posts, etc I got a mail from a human in Butterfly Labs telling me that they would send one
 of these devices they had in stock with FedEx so I didn’t have to wait for the one in China to go around 
the world. That was appreciated. I got the parcel on 28 January, unpacked the box, plugged in the device 
and after 20 minutes of mining the PSU (power supply unit) started to turn on and off by itself. Basically 
it was looking dead. According to the forum community they delivered a PSU that was supposed to be 
used with a smaller model. That’s why after 20 minutes the PSU could not cope with the power 
required by the device I bought. I filed another RMA.

In the meantime the forum community was saying that the PSUs delivered by Butterfly Labs are very bad 
quality so they suggested to use a ATX (one of these PC desktop square power supplies). I went the day 
after to buy one of these ATXs, with additional costs. I didn’t want to wait another month for the new 
PSU to be delivered from the US. Besides that, according to the community, the ATX is of much better 
quality so you can avoid sleepless nights, thinking if your house will burn down. So I connected the device. 
It worked for 3 hours and then went dead. And could not be detected by my PC anymore.

Tired of this waste of time and money, I wrote them a mail asking for a refund and at the same time I asked 
them to keep the PSU and the first device delivered (Jalapeno) and again got silence from their side. While 
waiting for their reply, they sent me the tracking number for the new PSU. I immediately replied asking to 
check my refund mail… Silence. After half a day I get the confirmation that the PSU was delivered. Incredible…

I have been working in technology since 20 years and I’m passionate about it. I have all kinds of electronic 
devices popping up from any drawer in my apartment and I can tell you with absolute certainty that 
ButterflyLabs is the worst company I’ve ever dealt with. They are lacking all the components to make a 
company a good company:

- the quality of their products is an absolute disaster;

- their shipping department has big problems. They even don’t check what is in their boxes and I have 
   my doubts that USPS misunderstood Switzerland for China;

- after sales support does not exist except for their robot-like rma procedure.

But the worst is, that they seem to fix products that have been returned by customers and send them on to 
other customers selling them as new and therefore at the full price but without properly testing them. Only this 
can explain, why a new product stops working within the same day you put it in operation. Besides of course, 
that they provide a thousand dollars product with the wrong power supply.

So be aware! I don’t know how the other producers are (Coincraft, Cointerra, Hashfast, KnCMiner, etc) as I 
didn’t experience them, but for sure my Butterfly Labs experience is the worst I’ve ever had in my life.

Support Bitcoin, don’t support Butterfly Labs!

[vapourminer]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=443759.msg4873580#msg4873580

Yesterday my 25GH/s Miner from Butterfly that mined at about 26,5 GH/s went down to about 21 GH/s, now i saw with bfgminer that 2 chips aren't working anymore. Any Hints on that?

Solution? Put in a fridge or outside in the cold... really... quality engineering is that.

You know something Bickski?  Your problem is that you don't know anything about engineering or you wouldn't be saying this.  Engineering has nothing to do with it, as this is a chip issue. 

no, its a BFL issue.

what other mining hardeware out there need to do this?

[linemeks]

Did the glue hold?

A bit , Had to hold it for some minutes and , Yup!

[Bicknellski]

Whew! Hope all is well.

[Bicknellski]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=443759.msg4873580#msg4873580

Yesterday my 25GH/s Miner from Butterfly that mined at about 26,5 GH/s went down to about 21 GH/s, now i saw with bfgminer that 2 chips aren't working anymore. Any Hints on that?

Solution? Put in a fridge or outside in the cold... really... quality engineering is that.

You know something Bickski?  Your problem is that you don't know anything about engineering or you wouldn't be saying this.  Engineering has nothing to do with it, as this is a chip issue.  

no, its a BFL issue.

what other mining hardeware out there need to do this?

It is a chip issue? Chips are designed and engineered are they not? That was engineered by whom? Keep following the logic to the natural conclusion. You got a crappy chip or crappy unit designed and engineered by BFL. Ya it isn't an engineering issue at all. As noted what other miner do you need to use a fridge to get it working better? Laughable.

[Bicknellski]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=278844.msg4911852#msg4911852

Nice thread! Smiley

I bought 2 products from them and both died. One within 3 hours, the other within 5 days.
Wrong PSUs, products shipped to China instead of Europe, PSUs that die with electricity outage at home, etc. Very long story...

So far no reply to any of my mails... and my anger is increasing day after day... in the meantime the bitcoin difficulty is going up at supersonic speed and I've clearly lost the time I could have slightly covered the cost of the miners.

[dropt]

You know something Bickski?  Your problem is that you don't know anything about engineering or you wouldn't be saying this.  Engineering has nothing to do with it, as this is a chip issue.  

Component specification is definitely part of the Engineering design process.