[ANN] Spondoolies-Tech - carrier grade, data center ready mining rigs

[philipma1957]

Just bought another 3 pack as I'm really enjoying my SP20s.
Great work on the new firmware, very happy with the new features and proper xnsub implementation.
If I want to run them on a gold+ power supply at 1450+gh, what do you recommend ?
If using nicehash as primary pool, is it better to use f2pool versus btcguild as f2pool is PPS?
Is there a benefit to the 3X gen over the current 3 pack deal with SP20Es?
The way I calculated things, made more sense to buy a 3 pack.

evga 1300 g2 if you are looking to push past  1450gh

[sjc1490]

Just bought another 3 pack as I'm really enjoying my SP20s.
Great work on the new firmware, very happy with the new features and proper xnsub implementation.
If I want to run them on a gold+ power supply at 1450+gh, what do you recommend ?
If using nicehash as primary pool, is it better to use f2pool versus btcguild as f2pool is PPS?
Is there a benefit to the 3X gen over the current 3 pack deal with SP20Es?
The way I calculated things, made more sense to buy a 3 pack.

evga 1300 g2 if you are looking to push past  1450gh

Agreed, one @ 1594 one @ 1530 one @ 1522 all EVGA 1300 G2's. Only thing holding me back is temps.
I use Westhash with a very high price as password just in case but mine at kano's

[klondike_bar]

Is there a benefit to the 3X gen over the current 3 pack deal with SP20Es?

the SP20 has 8 chips. The SP3X has 30 chips, so is equivelent to 3.25 SP20 units. it also includes a pair of power supplies and the unit is marginally more efficient when compared to the SP20 at the same settings.

IMO they are a tad overpriced on the SP-T site, but the customers buying them in bulk (10+) probably receive substancially better pricing on par with the SP20 15packs

[klondike_bar]

Just loaded up 2.6.10 to try out the scheduling, and have a few questions about how the 'regular' settings factor in:

1) If i want to range from 0.62-0.70V I assume I either need to fix the fan speed based on quietly cooling the max speed (say 20-30%) or use AUTO. I really want to run the fan at 3-6% during daytime hours though, does auto bring it down that low?
2) what about the max wattage? I imagine the max wattage has to be set high enough that it is sufficient for the higher power voltages


EXAMPLE: I want an SP20 to perform at 1100/550w from 7-11am and 5-7pm, 1300/700w from 11am-5pm, and 1500/950W from 7pm-7am. The entire time i want it to keep pretty quiet, no more than 8% fans in the daytime and <40% is acceptable for nighttime

-what is my starting voltage (if i do 0.625 will the power-mode take forever to reach 0.71V? if i set 0.7V, will the opposite happen trying to reach 0.63V?)
-what is my set voltage for each time frame (I have a rough idea, but not exact numbers - I'm guessing 0.63, 0.65, and 0.71 respectively)?
- whats my max wattage (190W to limit the unit to the desired ~950W total)

nighttime power is about 35% cheaper so i want to make use of it without having my daytime fans obnoxiously loud

Agreed; 2.6.10 is pretty cool, but please add a fan option to the schedule

did some digging into the SSH features, and found that this is the task initiated via cron (in the form of /usr/local/bin/change_voltage *value such as 620*)

Code:

m=$1
s=$(( $m - 5 ))
MODEL_ID=`cat /model_id`

if [ "$#" -ne 1 ]; then
    echo "Set ASIC max voltage and start mining. Set voltage 0 to stop mining."
    echo "USAGE: $0 <max voltage milli>"
else
        echo "Setting top voltage to $m, start voltage to $s"
        if [ "$m" == 0 ]; then
                /usr/local/bin/spond-manager stop
                echo 0 > /sys/devices/ocp.3/pwm_test_P9_31.12/duty
        else
                if [ "${MODEL_ID}" == "SP2x" ] ; then
                        sed -i "s/\(\s\S*\)\{5\}/ VS0:$s VS1:$s VS2:$s VS3:$s VMAX:$m/" /etc/mg_custom_mode
                else
                        sed -i "s/\(\s\S*\)\{3\}/ VST:$s VSB:$s VMAX:$m/" /etc/mg_custom_mode
                fi
                /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart
        fi
fi

effectively, it sets the maximum voltages for all 4 loops to what your setpoint is, and the start 5mv less when scheduling. As far as i can tell, this may not be ideal compared to instead setting max wattage. Presumably the code could possibly be re-written as:

Code:

m=$1
s=$(( $m - 5 ))
MODEL_ID=`cat /model_id`

if [ "$#" -ne 1 ]; then
    echo "Set ASIC max voltage and start mining. Set voltage 0 to stop mining."
    echo "USAGE: $0 <max voltage milli>"
else
        echo "Setting top voltage to $m, start voltage to $s"
        if [ "$m" == 0 ]; then
                /usr/local/bin/spond-manager stop
                echo 0 > /sys/devices/ocp.3/pwm_test_P9_31.12/duty
        else
                if [ "${MODEL_ID}" == "SP2x" ] ; then
                        sed -i "s/\(\s\S*\)\{5\}/ AC0:$s AC1:$s AC2:$s AC3:$s/" /etc/mg_custom_mode
                fi
                /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart
        fi
fi

presumably the above code would allow you to set the max wattage per loop in an SP20, measured in kw (ie: 150w/loop would be 0.150). Hopefully spondoolies can build a 2.6.11 firmware with the ability to implement more specific settings for each change period.

EDIT: using 2.6.10 and advanced voltage settings, i put in a setting to change the voltage down by about 200mv every day at a specific time, and that time came and went with zero actual changes. I set a new time 15 min later and rebooted the unit - still did not trigger. software time is correct.

[alh]

My recollection is that with the setting of timed "actions", the time specified must be in UTC. Of course if you live in Greenwich England, this won't matter. This is kinda a surprise, but not so much when consider that Linux is inside there.

[poolerMF]

how much cost shipping one SP20 Jackson  to Slovakia ?

[Guy Corem]

how much cost shipping one SP20 Jackson  to Slovakia ?

If you buy the nano farm (http://www.spondoolies-tech.com/products/sp20-nano-farm-batch-1), the shipping is free.
For one SP20 shipping to Slovakia, do a dummy purchase to let the shipping calculator give you the total.

[Marvell1]

about time for a price drop..

Yeah im holding out for a drop before I buy anything

[PatMan]

Just thought I'd drop by to congratulate Spondoolies-Tech on their superb customer support & efficient RMA process - truly excellent!

I lost a loop on one of my SP20E's, & after SPTech logged in remotely they quickly decided to RMA it after confirming the fault. I was sent details & info for shipping the unit back & as soon as I had sent them the tracking number they dispatched a replacement which I received yesterday (after a long & still ongoing argument with DHL - see below). Customer service like this is hard to find in the Bitcoin world & is the reason I will be using SPTech for my future mining hardware needs. Again, a big thank you to all SPTech staff - massive kudos  

DHL - different story  

They're still trying to charge me tax & import duty on the replacement unit, despite me sending them all the required documentation to prove that this was a replacement unit, the entire email conversation with SPTech & after SPTech kindly wrote to them to confirm what I had already explained to them on multiple occasions via email & phone conversations. Good luck with that DHL  

Peace  

Edit: I don't see the 2.6.9 or 2.6.10 firmware mentioned above on the manual upgrade button - has it been removed?

[philipma1957]

Just thought I'd drop by to congratulate Spondoolies-Tech on their superb customer support & efficient RMA process - truly excellent!

I lost a loop on one of my SP20E's, & after SPTech logged in remotely they quickly decided to RMA it after confirming the fault. I was sent details & info for shipping the unit back & as soon as I had sent them the tracking number they dispatched a replacement which I received yesterday (after a long & still ongoing argument with DHL - see below). Customer service like this is hard to find in the Bitcoin world & is the reason I will be using SPTech for my future mining hardware needs. Again, a big thank you to all SPTech staff - massive kudos  

DHL - different story  

They're still trying to charge me tax & import duty on the replacement unit, despite me sending them all the required documentation to prove that this was a replacement unit, the entire email conversation with SPTech & after SPTech kindly wrote to them to confirm what I had already explained to them on multiple occasions via email & phone conversations. Good luck with that DHL  

Peace  

Edit: I don't see the 2.6.9 or 2.6.10 firmware mentioned above on the manual upgrade button - has it been removed?

seems to be missing.  so should I roll my 2.6.9 back to 2.6.7

[PatMan]

Just thought I'd drop by to congratulate Spondoolies-Tech on their superb customer support & efficient RMA process - truly excellent!

I lost a loop on one of my SP20E's, & after SPTech logged in remotely they quickly decided to RMA it after confirming the fault. I was sent details & info for shipping the unit back & as soon as I had sent them the tracking number they dispatched a replacement which I received yesterday (after a long & still ongoing argument with DHL - see below). Customer service like this is hard to find in the Bitcoin world & is the reason I will be using SPTech for my future mining hardware needs. Again, a big thank you to all SPTech staff - massive kudos 

DHL - different story 

They're still trying to charge me tax & import duty on the replacement unit, despite me sending them all the required documentation to prove that this was a replacement unit, the entire email conversation with SPTech & after SPTech kindly wrote to them to confirm what I had already explained to them on multiple occasions via email & phone conversations. Good luck with that DHL 

Peace 

Edit: I don't see the 2.6.9 or 2.6.10 firmware mentioned above on the manual upgrade button - has it been removed?

seems to be missing.  so should I roll my 2.6.9 back to 2.6.7

If it's working OK - I'd leave it 

[klondike_bar]

My recollection is that with the setting of timed "actions", the time specified must be in UTC. Of course if you live in Greenwich England, this won't matter. This is kinda a surprise, but not so much when consider that Linux is inside there.

i changed the system time to local time though. I set another adjustment to occur during the night and it seems like that one happened correctly as expected, but unfortunately i wasnt awake to hear if the system changed its fan speeds drastically in the adjustment.

I see 2.6.12 is now available so am downloading it to see whats new. hopefully some further abilities are added to scheduling
EDIT: 2.6.12 is crap - voltage settings are all lost and cant be configured, so all loops are Off/null/disabled. I cant seem to input any settings to make it start mining. The fan keeps revving from 0-20 every 3-4 seconds.
EDIT 2: went to change back firmware, clicked manula selection, my only options are 1.5.8 and 1.5.10. The Sp20 now seems to think its an SP10 - what do i do?
EDIT 3: used SSH, typed "echo SP2x > /model_id; echo SP20 > /model_name;"  and was able to get the device to download the 2.6.12 again, this time operational

2.6.12: seems like theres a wifi function (requires dongle, presumably in the system's USB port). no visible changes or improvements to scheduling though. For that reason im curious to know how changes to the /etc/mg_custom/mode are implemented. Is a reboot required, or just restarting the minergate process?

seems like it could be easy to create a cron task that simply copies different mg_custom_mode(day) and mg_custom_mode(night) files to the actual mg_custom_mode and then re-initiates the miner. It would allow better fan control and precision tuning the voltages and wattage limits for each schedule, rather than just the max voltages

[klondike_bar]

my new suggestion for crontab control that implements a daytime mode from 7am-6pm on workdays to coincide with the local electricity rates:

00 07 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_day /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "daymode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart
00 18 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_night /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "nightmode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart

mg_custom_mode_day:    FAN:4 VS0:630 VS1:630 VS2:630 VS3:630 VMAX:660 AC0:165 AC1:165 AC2:165 AC3:160 DC_AMP:170
mg_custom_mode_night:  FAN:50 VS0:680 VS1:680 VS2:680 VS3:670 VMAX:710 AC0:230 AC1:230 AC2:230 AC3:220 DC_AMP:170


EDIT: tried it out, and realised that even though the miner is in EST, the crontab is based on UTC. I had to bump both times forward 5hrs (ie 12 and 23) to trigger at the correct times. System spun up the fans for a few seconds to implement the changes, then continued to mine with the new fan/voltage/wattage settings in place (no reboot required)

IMO this might be more useful for anyone who wants more complex scheduling.

update: changed 'echo' to 'logger' presumably this will properly write "daymode"/"nightmode" to the log files when the change occurs. SP-T support clarified a reboot isnt required, so the above commands should work fine. (it was suggested that changing ACx isnt necessary though, i guess because ideally it will be set to whatever the PSU limitations are, rather than desired power draw at each mode)

[Marvell1]

my new suggestion for crontab control that implements a daytime mode from 7am-6pm on workdays to coincide with the local electricity rates:

00 07 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_day /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "daymode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart
00 18 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_night /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "nightmode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart

mg_custom_mode_day:    FAN:4 VS0:630 VS1:630 VS2:630 VS3:630 VMAX:660 AC0:165 AC1:165 AC2:165 AC3:160 DC_AMP:170
mg_custom_mode_night:  FAN:50 VS0:680 VS1:680 VS2:680 VS3:670 VMAX:710 AC0:230 AC1:230 AC2:230 AC3:220 DC_AMP:170


EDIT: tried it out, and realised that even though the miner is in EST, the crontab is based on UTC. I had to bump both times forward 5hrs (ie 12 and 23) to trigger at the correct times. System spun up the fans for a few seconds to implement the changes, then continued to mine with the new fan/voltage/wattage settings in place (no reboot required)

IMO this might be more useful for anyone who wants more complex scheduling.

update: changed 'echo' to 'logger' presumably this will properly write "daymode"/"nightmode" to the log files when the change occurs. SP-T support clarified a reboot isnt required, so the above commands should work fine. (it was suggested that changing ACx isnt necessary though, i guess because ideally it will be set to whatever the PSU limitations are, rather than desired power draw at each mode)

this is neat , I need to modify my sp20s to use these settings , I dont have anything backed up though

[klondike_bar]

my new suggestion for crontab control that implements a daytime mode from 7am-6pm on workdays to coincide with the local electricity rates:

00 07 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_day /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "daymode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart
00 18 * * 1-5 cp -rf /etc/mg_custom_mode_night /etc/mg_custom_mode && logger "nightmode" && /usr/local/bin/spond-manager restart

mg_custom_mode_day:    FAN:4 VS0:630 VS1:630 VS2:630 VS3:630 VMAX:660 AC0:165 AC1:165 AC2:165 AC3:160 DC_AMP:170
mg_custom_mode_night:  FAN:50 VS0:680 VS1:680 VS2:680 VS3:670 VMAX:710 AC0:230 AC1:230 AC2:230 AC3:220 DC_AMP:170


EDIT: tried it out, and realised that even though the miner is in EST, the crontab is based on UTC. I had to bump both times forward 5hrs (ie 12 and 23) to trigger at the correct times. System spun up the fans for a few seconds to implement the changes, then continued to mine with the new fan/voltage/wattage settings in place (no reboot required)

IMO this might be more useful for anyone who wants more complex scheduling.

update: changed 'echo' to 'logger' presumably this will properly write "daymode"/"nightmode" to the log files when the change occurs. SP-T support clarified a reboot isnt required, so the above commands should work fine. (it was suggested that changing ACx isnt necessary though, i guess because ideally it will be set to whatever the PSU limitations are, rather than desired power draw at each mode)

this is neat , I need to modify my sp20s to use these settings , I dont have anything backed up though

not sure you need to back anything up. my process:
1) ssh in with root/root
2) "vi /etc/mg_custom_mode_day"
3) copy the above settings, then in the ssh vi editer press "i" (enters the insert mode) then right click (this is how to paste in ssh), then adjust as required.
4) press 'esc' (leave edit mode), type ":wq" (saves and quits)
5) repeat steps 2-4 but with "vi /etc/mg_custom_mode_night" and your nighttime settings
6) "crontab -e" (enters cron file)
7) below the pre-configured jobs, and above the "## voltage start" line (thats where the webUI scheduler puts its jobs), press enter to create a new line
copy the cron lines above, press "i" for insert mode, and paste with right-click. adjust as required (remember its UTC, and look up how to set cron times if you need help)
9) press esc to stop the insert mode, then type ":wq" to save and exit. the cronjobs will now be set, close the SSH

note: if you mess up inserting text, use ":q!" to quit without saving. re-open the file and try again.

what i need now is an easy way to copy these settings to multiple machines on the same network, and I am not 100% sure if the cronjobs will persist after a firmware update

[tvasbn]

finally i think i understood something in sidechains

http://gendal.me/2014/10/26/a-simple-explanation-of-bitcoin-sidechains/

[tvasbn]

i also think than one of sidechains creators is Satoshi

[Marvell1]

damn who is this guy lol




http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPONDOOLIES-SP20-JACKSON-BTC-Bitcoin-Miner-1-7-TH-s-IN-HAND-NOT-ANTMINER-S3-S5-/281588306968?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418ff89418


looks like 60 or so units of SP20 and they look well used.  I assume he bough them at the much higier $600- $800 rate.

His layout is terrible as well I don't understand why he did not go with a hot/cold aisle layout  :  the Sp20 is well suited to that type of layout

due to the vented front and enclosed case. 

 I would hate to see his power bill


https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.datacenter_efficiency_hotcold_aisles

[lulu2003]

Regarding the pinout, yes. The SP20 fan datasheet is available here

Regarding current rating - we checked again regarding the connector UL specification. In order to meet them, the maximal current allowed is 2.5A (not 3A as I wrote earlier). Also, 24AWG wire is required to meet this current rating.

thanks for the spec PDF. I was misleaded by the safety current which is 2.12A+/-10% and printed on the label of the fan.

[lulu2003]

I see 2.6.12 is now available so am downloading it to see whats new. hopefully some further abilities are added to scheduling
EDIT: 2.6.12 is crap - voltage settings are all lost and cant be configured, so all loops are Off/null/disabled. I cant seem to input any settings to make it start mining. The fan keeps revving from 0-20 every 3-4 seconds.
EDIT 2: went to change back firmware, clicked manula selection, my only options are 1.5.8 and 1.5.10. The Sp20 now seems to think its an SP10 - what do i do?
EDIT 3: used SSH, typed "echo SP2x > /model_id; echo SP20 > /model_name;"  and was able to get the device to download the 2.6.12 again, this time operational

2.6.12: seems like theres a wifi function (requires dongle, presumably in the system's USB port). no visible changes or improvements to scheduling though. For that reason im curious to know how changes to the /etc/mg_custom/mode are implemented. Is a reboot required, or just restarting the minergate process?

seems like it could be easy to create a cron task that simply copies different mg_custom_mode(day) and mg_custom_mode(night) files to the actual mg_custom_mode and then re-initiates the miner. It would allow better fan control and precision tuning the voltages and wattage limits for each schedule, rather than just the max voltages

a bit confusing...
is that custom day/night your mod or did it come with V2.6.12?