[GUIDE] GridSeed 5-Chip USB, Blade & Black Miner Support/Tuning

[wolfey2014]

So, you can daisy chain your USB hubs if you don't have one of those 20a hubs. This model hub http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HL7Z46K/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 only supports 3 miners. I will test some D-link hubs later this week. I did find it strange that I cannot overclock to 900 with the daisy chain setup, only 850. Maybe this illustrates the need for a hub with a crazy amount of amps. Anyone find good deals on high amp hubs?

As a matter of fact, I did.
I purchased a powered 13 port usb hub at Microcenter for $18 bucks last night.
The plug in AC/DC wall wart that came with it can handle .500 Amps. That's half of one amp for you laymen.

I am also taking current measurements of each power input to my 5 pods.
At ldle,
5V USB power = 240 mA average.
So, no worries about overdrawing the hub's stock power pack at this level of operation, unless I find the pods pull more 5V amperage while mining. If so, I'll edit this and post a new report. But, don't forget that your PC's 5V source is also powering them so the wall wart is just a backup for additional current supply if/when needed.

13.8VDC Pod power = 2.083 Amps average. That's 0.4166mA per pod. Just under half an amp.
About 28W for the whole smash, at idle.


I'm testing a 5V / 2Amp switcher on the usb hub, all is running well right now.
Will take more measurements after I get them mining and post the specs, if anyone is interested.

I haven't been able to get my pods mining yet (very sharp learning curve) but I eventually will.
Anyone who is currently successful and setting up and mining these GC3355 USB dual miners, I'd be greatly appreciative of some assistance in getting my gear, mining too!

Install, finds hardware, installs software, presents fields to fill in pertinent data and perameters, click on Go and you're mining! That's just too darn easy, eh?

Happy mining!
Wolfey2014

What issues are you having? I guess you are not using the controller. What os are you hosting the miners from?

With my units I got them hashing quite easily with the controller, plug and play.

Even when I hosted a set of 10 on my win 7 64 os that wasn't much of a problem running 10 instances of minerd and 1 instance of cgminer

Hello, thanks for your help.

I have the 5 GC3355 5 chip USB miners all running, 12V to all 5 pods, and 5V USB hub all connected and powered up.
Plugged into my Win7 laptop via the USB hub.

All recognized when I loaded the right USB / port drivers.
Installed VCP 1.3.1
Installed GUI miner

I run cgminer and it says "no devices detected"

That's as far as I can get, so far.
Would you like to Skype with me? wolfey2014
Or we can PM each other or discuss here, is just fine too

I haven't heard or seen anywhere that using the controller works best or is plug and play.
Thanks Again!
Wolfey2014

[Blueman666]

Looking at recent posts in the bfgminer thread -

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=168174.2780

It seems that bfgminer will soon support the 5 chip gridseed units 

[wolfey2014]

here is a way to have them run in scrypt on a raspberry .. :-)

what? where? < reminiscent of Vinny Barberino on Welcome Back Carter....

Does anyone know what the Green and Red LED indicator lights - Indicate - on the 5 chip miners?

[darkfriend77]

here is a way to have them run in scrypt on a raspberry .. :-)

sry ...

https://litecointalk.org/index.php?topic=9908.msg132325#msg132325

[darkfriend77]

ok, lol ... I got a f... problem ... somehow my controller is getting hijacked ...

... ... I haven't changed anything then upgrading to wiibox 2.0.2 ... that's it ...

user and psw is getting changed to ... a users miner ... called wwee.1, wwee.2 ...

[SummersideGuy]

Can someone tell me if the following would work together for these miners:


Power cable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-DC-Splitter-Cable-Female-1-to-8-Male-Power-Supply-Adapter-Security-Camera-/310786549824?fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_3579wt_1329

Power supply
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-30A-360W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-Display-110V-220V-/360806570959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401bf5bcf#ht_4404wt_1312
for 6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-20A-240W-Switch-Switching-Power-Supply-Driver-For-LED-Strip-Light-110V-220V-/370609614049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564a0dece1#ht_2833wt_1312
for 4

[wolfey2014]

Can someone tell me if the following would work together for these miners:


Power cable
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-DC-Splitter-Cable-Female-1-to-8-Male-Power-Supply-Adapter-Security-Camera-/310786549824?fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_3579wt_1329

Power supply
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-30A-360W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-Display-110V-220V-/360806570959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401bf5bcf#ht_4404wt_1312
for 6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-20A-240W-Switch-Switching-Power-Supply-Driver-For-LED-Strip-Light-110V-220V-/370609614049?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564a0dece1#ht_2833wt_1312
for 4

Get and use this one, only. Not the 20A. Not powerful enough.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-30A-360W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-Display-110V-220V-/360806570959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401bf5bcf#ht_4404wt_1312

I would not use the splitter type plugs. The primary plug won't be able to handle the max current that the miners can pull as a set. Use single wires/connectors, all connected separately to the psu terminals.
And, make sure you use a 3 prong grounded 120VAC plug to ground the chassis of the psu. Do not use a 2 wire because if the unit goes bad and or shorts out internally or gets spiked, there will be no path to ground and your rigs will probably all get fried! Make sure you use a good surge suppressor like one from Belkin that comes with insurance if/when your stuff gets fried by lightening etc.

Good luck!
Wolfey2014

PS... can you recommend anyone who can help me configure the software mining program to get my GC3355 miners - mining? Know anyone who has a set up and running who set them up them self?

[SummersideGuy]

Get and use this one, only. Not the 20A. Not powerful enough.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-30A-360W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-Display-110V-220V-/360806570959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401bf5bcf#ht_4404wt_1312

I would not use the splitter type plugs. The primary plug won't be able to handle the max current that the miners can pull as a set. Use single wires/connectors, all connected separately to the psu terminals.
And, make sure you use a 3 prong grounded 120VAC plug to ground the chassis of the psu. Do not use a 2 wire because if the unit goes bad and or shorts out internally or gets spiked, there will be no path to ground and your rigs will probably all get fried! Make sure you use a good surge suppressor like one from Belkin that comes with insurance if/when your stuff gets fried by lightening etc.

Good luck!
Wolfey2014

PS... can you recommend anyone who can help me configure the software mining program to get my GC3355 miners - mining? Know anyone who has a set up and running who set them up them self?

I am sorry I am of little help here, I have units on order but have never had any in hand before so I am pretty new to these devices. Also I was reading on the forum that someone used a PC PSU and patched 2.5 plugs to molex ends and powered their devices with a PSU. I am curious as to how feasible this is as I have a couple of PSU's lying around all over 600Watts in rating.

[wolfey2014]

Get and use this one, only. Not the 20A. Not powerful enough.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-30A-360W-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-for-LED-Strip-Light-Display-110V-220V-/360806570959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401bf5bcf#ht_4404wt_1312

I would not use the splitter type plugs. The primary plug won't be able to handle the max current that the miners can pull as a set. Use single wires/connectors, all connected separately to the psu terminals.
And, make sure you use a 3 prong grounded 120VAC plug to ground the chassis of the psu. Do not use a 2 wire because if the unit goes bad and or shorts out internally or gets spiked, there will be no path to ground and your rigs will probably all get fried! Make sure you use a good surge suppressor like one from Belkin that comes with insurance if/when your stuff gets fried by lightening etc.

Good luck!
Wolfey2014

PS... can you recommend anyone who can help me configure the software mining program to get my GC3355 miners - mining? Know anyone who has a set up and running who set them up them self?

I am sorry I am of little help here, I have units on order but have never had any in hand before so I am pretty new to these devices. Also I was reading on the forum that someone used a PC PSU and patched 2.5 plugs to molex ends and powered their devices with a PSU. I am curious as to how feasible this is as I have a couple of PSU's lying around all over 600Watts in rating.

Yep, as long as they auto detect the loads and fire up, you're good to go with them.
One of them is almost enough to power 20 miners but I'd keep it down to 12 or 15 units just so your power supply has a bit of overhead where max load is concerned.
Good luck!
Wolfey2014

[copyfile]

The Wii controller box is a TPlink tl-wr703n correct? Is it possible to buy this device and upload the gridseed firmware so it will work like the Wiibox that gridseed is providing?

[Blueman666]

The Wii controller box is a TPlink tl-wr703n correct? Is it possible to buy this device and upload the gridseed firmware so it will work like the Wiibox that gridseed is providing?

I was just wondering about that myself. I presume those zip files you have at the start of the thread will download into it?

After a look at the zips in question I dont think there is any Linux included there so they are not just an image of the controller 

[BitcoinValet]

One more questoin for individual power supplies. Is 5a a maximum, minimum, or both? If I use a 12V 6A power supply is that going to overload it?

[Blueman666]

One more questoin for individual power supplies. Is 5a a maximum, minimum, or both? If I use a 12V 6A power supply is that going to overload it?

You are better off with a 6A supply as that leaves a little bit of breathing space and means the supply is not running at maximum load.

[copyfile]

The Wii controller box is a TPlink tl-wr703n correct? Is it possible to buy this device and upload the gridseed firmware so it will work like the Wiibox that gridseed is providing?

I was just wondering about that myself. I presume those zip files you have at the start of the thread will download into it?

After a look at the zips in question I dont think there is any Linux included there so they are not just an image of the controller  

Reading other topics i found out that the tp-link router gridseed is using has the openwrt software installed. I guess that you can install the openwrt software and then the images provided here? Is there someone that tried this? I have no clue if this will be working. Is there maybe someone with the wiibox that can try to create a backup of the firmware that the device is running?

[wolfey2014]

The Wii controller box is a TPlink tl-wr703n correct? Is it possible to buy this device and upload the gridseed firmware so it will work like the Wiibox that gridseed is providing?

I was just wondering about that myself. I presume those zip files you have at the start of the thread will download into it?

After a look at the zips in question I dont think there is any Linux included there so they are not just an image of the controller  

Reading other topics i found out that the tp-link router gridseed is using has the openwrt software installed. I guess that you can install the openwrt software and then the images provided here? Is there someone that tried this? I have no clue if this will be working. Is there maybe someone with the wiibox that can try to create a backup of the firmware that the device is running?

I keep reading about this wiibox - wut is it? is it the gaming box?
Anyway, how does it work with the GC3355s? if, they do?
I'm trying to use my PC via USB to mine with my new GC3355s but not much support out here for this stuff yet....we need a setup and configure and mine - type manual!

[lajz99]

When I try to run a single 5 chip unit via USB to my PC I'm getting an error "Open COM2 failed, GetLastError:2".  Any ideas?  I can see it connect to the pool but no hashing.

I am also offering a .025btc reward bounty for the first person to post a rpi image to get these mining.

[matt4054]

When I try to run a single 5 chip unit via USB to my PC I'm getting an error "Open COM2 failed, GetLastError:2".  Any ideas?  I can see it connect to the pool but no hashing.

Unfortunately I haven't found a solution to the problem yet, but I had the same problem on one of my PCs, tried another one and it worked fine.

It seems quite common because someone else PM'd me for support with the same problem too

[wolfey2014]

When I try to run a single 5 chip unit via USB to my PC I'm getting an error "Open COM2 failed, GetLastError:2".  Any ideas?  I can see it connect to the pool but no hashing.

I am also offering a .025btc reward bounty for the first person to post a rpi image to get these mining.

What program are you running? cgminer?
It is obviously trying to open comm port 2 and failing.
Look in your device manager to see what port is actually being used by the miner.
Correct that and it should connect . I'm guessing but I think this is right.

Wow! You've gotten a lot further than I have.
Please tell me/us what you did step by step to get your miner to communicate and function via your PC.
I have loaded all the drivers necessary and it is seen in comm ports when plugged in.
I have 5 GC3355 hashers but am only trying it with one right now. I figure once I get one going, the rest will be easy to get going.
Mine are all powered up and ready to mine, if I could only get the comm's and software end figured out.
I'd probably be mining.

Oh, and did you try modifying your config file? I've seen other questions like yours and the pro's say, delete the conf file or edit it with correct perameters or delete x from the conf file.
Perhaps trying other comm ports until you hit the right one will work.
Check your device manager and see what ports your program/miner is using.

Its obviously trying to open comm 2. So you have to make sure comm 2 is working correctly.

Hope we can help each other.
I have the guy who sold me my miners figuring this all out tonight, hopefully.
So I will be mining soon!
Cheers
Wolfey2014

[wolfey2014]

When I try to run a single 5 chip unit via USB to my PC I'm getting an error "Open COM2 failed, GetLastError:2".  Any ideas?  I can see it connect to the pool but no hashing.

Unfortunately I haven't found a solution to the problem yet, but I had the same problem on one of my PCs, tried another one and it worked fine.

It seems quite common because someone else PM'd me for support with the same problem too

Hello Matt! So, you have your Gridseed 5 chip USB miners, mining? Fantastic!
Please share with us what you did step by step to get your 5 chip miners mining.
What program are you using? Which drivers? What configuration? etc...
I don't care about pictures. All I need is the correct/workable data....
I have the hardware side all taken care of and they are all fired up and ready to be driven to mine mine mine! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH MINE YOU LITTLE MINERS! MINE FOR ME!!!!!!
crazywolf

[matt4054]

Its obviously trying to open comm 2. So you have to make sure comm 2 is working correctly.

While I don't have the solution, I can say from my experience that:

• The drivers where properly installed (as reported in Device Manager)
• The COM: port in question is correctly detected and listed (Device Manager, again)
• Zadig is reporting the correct USB driver (usbser.sys, if I recall well)
• Running the process as Administrator doesn't help
• Error code 2 *seems* to be 'File Not Found' in the Windows fopen() equivalent (I'm noob to Windows I/O, HAL and stuff)