GekkoScience has a new stickminer that does 300+GH

[jeyzeus]

Hi guys,

Would like to ask if it's ok to use a raspberry pi running bitcoin/lightning node, and connect the USB miners (with bitcoin merch USB hub) to it?
or is it recommended to have a separate raspberry pi for the miners?

idk about any official recommendations but i compiled cgminer on the latest build/image of mynode. I've been running it on there for 3 weeks now with no issues but i did need to disable tor. I also needed to install tmux [don't recall if it was already installed] to properly exit cgminer while keeping it running in the background.

note - i haven't actually spun up the lightning node yet locally but I should do it soon. Still need to set up BTC Pay. I just enabled the electrum server so RPC explorer and mempool are working and those are also running with no issues. RAM usage was at around 30-40% on an 8GB Pi 4 if I recall correctly. I don't think it's been over 50% but I guess if it does then you might run into issues with a 4GB Pi. Running taproot [bitcoin core 22] and have been able to locate a tx i sent to myself with the new taproot address type so it's pretty cool to be able to do that thru a GUI + mine and have that controlled thru the same device. (shoutout to the futurebit guys for the inspiration on that lol.)

i wasn't able to get it working at all with umbrel. cgminer compiled successfully on the umbrel image but the USB port never identified any miner or hub. i haven't tried on the latest version yet though.

[KingTin]

Hi guys,

Would like to ask if it's ok to use a raspberry pi running bitcoin/lightning node, and connect the USB miners (with bitcoin merch USB hub) to it?
or is it recommended to have a separate raspberry pi for the miners?

idk about any official recommendations but i compiled cgminer on the latest build/image of mynode. I've been running it on there for 3 weeks now with no issues but i did need to disable tor. I also needed to install tmux [don't recall if it was already installed] to properly exit cgminer while keeping it running in the background.

note - i haven't actually spun up the lightning node yet locally but I should do it soon. Still need to set up BTC Pay. I just enabled the electrum server so RPC explorer and mempool are working and those are also running with no issues. RAM usage was at around 30-40% on an 8GB Pi 4 if I recall correctly. I don't think it's been over 50% but I guess if it does then you might run into issues with a 4GB Pi. Running taproot [bitcoin core 22] and have been able to locate a tx i sent to myself with the new taproot address type so it's pretty cool to be able to do that thru a GUI + mine and have that controlled thru the same device. (shoutout to the futurebit guys for the inspiration on that lol.)

i wasn't able to get it working at all with umbrel. cgminer compiled successfully on the umbrel image but the USB port never identified any miner or hub. i haven't tried on the latest version yet though.

Thanks! losing tor access would be pretty significant if I plan to run lightning imo.
Guess one more raspberry pi specifically for the USB sticks is better.
Do experienced miners recommend getting the btc payout directly to your own node?

[kano]

Mining through tor is probably one of the worst possible ideas you could do with mining.

Unless you have no concern about losing a block of course due to the massive laency - but heck it's only 1/3 million $, who cares if you lose one

[jeyzeus]

Thanks! losing tor access would be pretty significant if I plan to run lightning imo.

i'm actually lying. i had to disable tor for the set up, but after the chain was synced and after updating to the latest version i was able to turn it back on and it's been mining since.

Mining through tor is probably one of the worst possible ideas you could do with mining.

Unless you have no concern about losing a block of course due to the massive laency - but heck it's only 1/3 million $, who cares if you lose one

when you run mynode, i think bitcoin core or the lightning node connects to the internet through tor but i don't think the mining goes through it. i don't actually know how to check that though.

[werweisswarum]

hi guys,
 wich core voltage should i set to run over 500MHz ?

[reddawn99]

Hello,

I previously had 2 USB newpacs using cgminer (4.11.x) that were successful in mining against the local wallet solo using the command line:

cgminer.exe -o http://127.0.0.1:8536  -u xxxxxx  -p xxxxx  --gekko-newpac-freq 400 --btc-address DDZ5f7VSWAHbLo7koRAC4RVo867atRsxxx

I've downloaded the new cgminer (4.12.0) and I have 1 compacF device.  I used the zadig to ensure the proper drivers were loaded and tried to mine to my local wallet using the following command:

cgminer.exe -o http://127.0.0.1:8332  -u xxxxxxx  -p xxxxxxx  --gekko-compacf-freq 400 --gekko-start-freq 300 --gekko-tune-up 85 --suggest-diff 442  --gekko-compacf-detect  --btc-address DDZ5f7VSWAHbLo7koRAC4RVo867atRsxxx

I keep getting the following response:

 [2021-11-25 07:06:59.927] No Stratum, GBT or Solo support in pool 0 http://127.0.0.1:8332 unable to use

Does anyone know why I can't solo mine to my local wallet even though it worked in the previous version?

Thank you,

[Biffa]

Did you change the port on your local wallet?

In the first example you are using port 8536
In the second example you are using port 8332

Also if you updated your local wallet to a later version of bitcoin then I think they broke local mining and cgminer code needs to be modified to make it work. Not sure how long it will take for kano to implement the changes necessary, or even if he thinks it is necessary, but if you did update your wallet then if you can roll back you might want to try that. Whether you can roll back or not depends on which version you updated your wallet to I think.

The changes happened starting with version 0.20.0 of bitcoin, something to do with the coinbase flags code I believe, there is a home grown patch that makes the coinbase flags optional in the source code of cgminer that someone did earlier in the year but I'm not sure if its been vetted or put on the task list for the next release yet.

[Otomaze]

Hi ! I Would need a Quick advice. I have received my Compac F and i'm already working with 2 Newpacs at 300Mhz. But it seems (tbh i'm sure about that) that my USB hub is not powered enough to run all my sticks decently.
I Saw This hub : https://a.aliexpress.com/_mORbqlo
It Would fit with both 2 Newpacs and Compac F ?

[gt_addict]

They would fit but its inly rated for 2.1A per port. So the CompacFs wouldnt be able to run full speed

[Otomaze]

Ok, si which hub Can I buy to run all of them at full speed?

[BvG1982]

Hello,

I previously had 2 USB newpacs using cgminer (4.11.x) that were successful in mining against the local wallet solo using the command line:

cgminer.exe -o http://127.0.0.1:8536  -u xxxxxx  -p xxxxx  --gekko-newpac-freq 400 --btc-address DDZ5f7VSWAHbLo7koRAC4RVo867atRsxxx

I've downloaded the new cgminer (4.12.0) and I have 1 compacF device.  I used the zadig to ensure the proper drivers were loaded and tried to mine to my local wallet using the following command:

cgminer.exe -o http://127.0.0.1:8332  -u xxxxxxx  -p xxxxxxx  --gekko-compacf-freq 400 --gekko-start-freq 300 --gekko-tune-up 85 --suggest-diff 442  --gekko-compacf-detect  --btc-address DDZ5f7VSWAHbLo7koRAC4RVo867atRsxxx

I keep getting the following response:

 [2021-11-25 07:06:59.927] No Stratum, GBT or Solo support in pool 0 http://127.0.0.1:8332 unable to use

Does anyone know why I can't solo mine to my local wallet even though it worked in the previous version?

Thank you,

I've got the same kind of issues. I'm also solo mining (not BTC) on a local wallet, it works with no problem for my gekko newpacs with cg miner 4.11, but with my compacf and cg miner 4.12 i can't get it to work. It looks like solo mining on a local wallet isn't supported in 4.12, would be great if it could be implemented.

Ok, si which hub Can I buy to run all of them at full speed?

Search for the gekkoscience hub, it can do 6A spread over 2 ports.

[moderator's note: consecutive posts merged]

[gt_addict]

Ok, si which hub Can I buy to run all of them at full speed?

Gekkoscience hub is the only one anyone here would recommend. Im running 6x CompacFs at 520m for 2Th.

[Otomaze]

Ok thanks ! I'll wait for stock on bitshopper.de then...

[VanLife4Me]

Does anyone have/use a script to monitor cgminer and send out alert emails if it seems to be down or not functioning correctly? As OCD as I am checking Kano's site and ssh-ing into my Pi each day to make sure all is well seems like the long way around this wall.

I found this one but it seems very old and I'm concerned it might not work or worse yet hose up my now very stable mining rig.

Code:

https://github.com/romdr/cgminer-monitor

Thanks in advance for any help of direction you can provide.

[acoleman]

Why not put you a loop in the script that cycles between pools?  that way if the cgminer crashes or loses connection then it will auto resume.

Then put that script in the rc.local so it runs at start up?  that way as long as power is on, with cables connected, and internet access you are just about plug and forget.

[VanLife4Me]

Why not put you a loop in the script that cycles between pools?  that way if the cgminer crashes or loses connection then it will auto resume.

Then put that script in the rc.local so it runs at start up?  that way as long as power is on, with cables connected, and internet access you are just about plug and forget.

@acoleman Makes a lot of sense. I've been wondering about connecting to more than one pool. Was trying to be loyal since Kano helped me get up and running in the first place. What other pools have the same kind of solid reputation?

Also would you mind providing a sample of what that script looks like?

[kano]

Why not put you a loop in the script that cycles between pools?  that way if the cgminer crashes or loses connection then it will auto resume.
...

"Cycling" the pools makes no difference unless the problem is your internet - in which case you should find it can't connect to any pools.

When you restart cgminer it will simply connect to whatever pool is available and supplying work, in order of the list supplied.
If the 1st one wont respond, it will connect to the 2nd one etc.

All (reputable) standalone miners have a crontab entry checking the API every few minutes that restarts cgminer when it isn't mining.

Edit: also there are apps that will alert you if your hash rate drops.

[acoleman]

I'm not on a solo pool (I have more than just these units) and the pool sometimes has issues on its end.  So I have it setup to cycle between the pool endpoints (with different domains / dns).

But to Kano's point, I could specify multiple pools in the command and let it cycle.

[VanLife4Me]

Why not put you a loop in the script that cycles between pools?  that way if the cgminer crashes or loses connection then it will auto resume.
...

All (reputable) standalone miners have a crontab entry checking the API every few minutes that restarts cgminer when it isn't mining.

Edit: also there are apps that will alert you if your hash rate drops.

So, to make sure I understand. I need to add a crontab entry to check the API? Any chance of getting some sample code or a link to an explainer so I can get that done on my Raspberry Pi?

Also, any suggestions of apps to monitor the hash rate?

Thanks for helping an old guy learn new tricks. Much 'predicated.

[Biffa]

Should probably move the discussion to the kanopool thread here

But there are a couple of mobile apps that you can use:

Apple App:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1344360.0
(enable search for iPhone Apps)

Android App:
CKPool Status (Kano)
read in the thread here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=789369.msg11091187#msg11091187

There is another Android app that I use:
Checkpool
Its not just for kanopool but for many different pools, but it works well enough.