[Bounty] GekkoScience Compac F miner stops hashing

[GekkoMiner9]

I have bought a GekkoScience Compac F USB miner (200-350 GH/s) and I want to try solo-mining. I know my chances are extremely slim, but I like learning mining.

I installed cgminer from this repository: https://github.com/wareck/cgminer-gekko. However, when I leave it mining for a few minutes, it slowly declines in hashrate until it completely reaches zero. I think it has to do with overheating, because I tried touching it, and I almost got my finger burned; it's extremely hot. I use a Y cable (2 male, 1 female) to connect it to my computer, because it needs more power than the USB port can provide.

I was wondering if there's a way to go around this problem. I don't want to unplug and plug it throughout the day. Maybe could I somehow program it to use less resources or have less frequency? I don't care falling from 200 GH/s to 2. I just want to have it working. (I tried lowering its frequency using the --gekko-compac-freq and  --gekko-compacf-freq flags, but none seemed to work; at some point, it just stopped working again.)

I'm sending 15000 sats to the person who can help me make it working.  

[Nexus9090]

Buy a fan for it. They don't run well just with passive cooling.

Until you have a fan on it, limit the clock rate to 400Mhz ~=200GH/s.

Once you have a good cooling fan for it you can probably clock it up to about 545Mhz. don't be tempted to over-clock it unless you're going to bolt on a much bigger heatsink with good thermal compound.

Also, you might want to change the repo you got CGMiner from to the officially supported source, downloads from elsewhere might contain undesireable features.

Kano's github is the only officially supported source:-

https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer/


Also, this table is quite useful for power consumption and hash rates Vs clock rate

[GekkoMiner9]

OK, I cloned that repository, but I'm running into the same problem as before. Also, I didn't mention that setting frequency with --gekko-compacf-freq <value> does not actually change the frequency. The frequency remains the default one (200). I wouldn't rather buy a fan at the moment. I would like to have it working without a fan, even if that means I should lower the frequency, I have no problem with that.

[BitMaxz]

OK, I cloned that repository, but I'm running into the same problem as before. Also, I didn't mention that setting frequency with --gekko-compacf-freq <value> does not actually change the frequency. The frequency remains the default one (200). I wouldn't rather buy a fan at the moment. I would like to have it working without a fan, even if that means I should lower the frequency, I have no problem with that.

How exactly did you use this command I mean what file did you edit to put this command?
Is that through the bat file?
It might not work if you have a cgminer.conf edit that file and put that command on that file and try again.

You have a similar case here https://github.com/wareck/cgminer-gekko/issues/21 and here https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5329485.0 but for kano.is cgminer you need to edit the gekko.conf

If it still doesn't work, try the onboard voltage to adjust it to a lower voltage; it should look like a screw. Counterclockwise to drop voltage or clockwise to increase voltage.

[GekkoMiner9]

How exactly did you use this command I mean what file did you edit to put this command?

I used this to try setting frequency to 100:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100

I also tried the same with --gekko-compac-freq 100 instead. Nothing, it stayed the same, 200. Then, I wrote a config file, like in the github issue you shared. I let cgminer create the default by pressing 'W', and then I changed this line:

Code:

"gekko-compacf-freq": "200",

To:

Code:

"gekko-compacf-freq": "100",

Still, I run "./cgminer" and encounter the same issue. I haven't tried changing gekko.conf in kano's files. I'm trying to lower the voltage by counterclockwise switch, and see how this goes. I also don't have bat files, I'm in Linux Mint.

Edit: This is a screenshot of what I'm getting right now. As you can see, it stills tries to push it to 200 frequency for some reason, even though it tries to drop it (see where it says "200->190"): https://ibb.co/RGSf1fQw.

[Nexus9090]

OK, I cloned that repository, but I'm running into the same problem as before. Also, I didn't mention that setting frequency with --gekko-compacf-freq <value> does not actually change the frequency. The frequency remains the default one (200). I wouldn't rather buy a fan at the moment. I would like to have it working without a fan, even if that means I should lower the frequency, I have no problem with that.

If you're going to run it without a fan, you'll need to upgrade the heatsink and thermal compound. The stock heatsink isn't good enough for just passive cooling

I typically use a start command like this, it uses the tune algorithm to ramp up the clock rate to the target frequency

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u YOURBTCADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 545 --gekko-start-freq 400 --gekko-mine2 --gekko-tune2 60 --suggest-diff 1000 

In terms of core voltage setting you want to have it around 1.45V its very sensitive. 0.025V is the difference between it working reliably or not.

Depending on the silicon you've got you might get away with turning down a fraction but I've only ever found the BM1397 to run reliably at 1.45-1.55V


Edit:
addiitonal, I have vague recollections that the BM1397 doesnt run well at clocks below 300Mhz. Cant recall the exact thread, but I'm sure you'll find it on here somewhere.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

We should add that you do not need to use a heatsink mounted fan. Just need a little bit of air movement so a small (and cheap) USB powered personal fan works dandy.

[GekkoMiner9]

So, just to be sure I understand both of you... You're telling me that at least some air movement is necessary for the device to reliably provide a steady hashrate, no matter what that is. Is that correct? Again, I have no problem letting it hashing at 10 GH/s, if that can mitigate the air trouble. Is it possible to retain a steady hashrate of something like 10 GH/s, with just the stock heatsink it comes with?

If you're going to run it without a fan, you'll need to upgrade the heatsink and thermal compound. The stock heatsink isn't good enough for just passive cooling

Upgrade it into what, if not a fan?

[Nexus9090]

So, just to be sure I understand both of you... You're telling me that at least some air movement is necessary for the device to reliably provide a steady hashrate, no matter what that is. Is that correct? Again, I have no problem letting it hashing at 10 GH/s, if that can mitigate the air trouble. Is it possible to retain a steady hashrate of something like 10 GH/s, with just the stock heatsink it comes with?

If you're going to run it without a fan, you'll need to upgrade the heatsink and thermal compound. The stock heatsink isn't good enough for just passive cooling

Upgrade it into what, if not a fan?

By upgrade the heatsink, I mean you'll need a much bigger heatsink with lots more area. 2 or 3 times the size of the stock one. Unfortunately that option requires a little engineering as there's no easy way to do it.

Its far easier to add a fan, as @NotFuzzyWarm said even if its a simple USB powered fan.

You can see the one's that are made to fit here:-
https://bitcoinmerch.com/products/bitcoin-merch-gekkoscience-newpac-usb-fan-upgrade

But you could easily add something else like:-
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Rotation-Personal-Compatible-Outputs/dp/B0CX1R8G6N/

Finally, You can't clock the device too slowly, they won't work reliably when clocked below 300Mhz

[btcnbegun]

Step 1:

Try using the following format in your command:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100

Values to be used 50,75,100,150

If there isn't a mining activity, try running it with the -n flag.


Step 2:

Run cgminer with verbose output:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100 -d 0 --verbose

There is an additional or optional step which will be provided in the next post if the above 2 doesn't solve the declining hashing activity.

[Nexus9090]

Step 1:

Try using the following format in your command:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100

Values to be used 50,75,100,150

If there isn't a mining activity, try running it with the -n flag.


Step 2:

Run cgminer with verbose output:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100 -d 0 --verbose

There is an additional or optional step which will be provided in the next post if the above 2 doesn't solve the declining hashing activity.

Sorry but this wont work reliably, the compac F generally wont hash reliably with clockrates lower than 300Mhz

[btcnbegun]

Step 1:

Try using the following format in your command:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100

Values to be used 50,75,100,150

If there isn't a mining activity, try running it with the -n flag.


Step 2:

Run cgminer with verbose output:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100 -d 0 --verbose

There is an additional or optional step which will be provided in the next post if the above 2 doesn't solve the declining hashing activity.

Sorry but this wont work reliably, the compac F generally wont hash reliably with clockrates lower than 300Mhz

This is the all the thing which worked. That's why he left unpaid.

[GekkoMiner9]

I put a little fan above it, and it works. Thanks to Nexus9090 and NotFuzzyWarm. I don't know which one to pay for, because both of you helped me resolve this, so I'll just pay Nexus if the block 907436 ends with 0-7, and NotFuzzyWarm if it ends with 8-F.

[GekkoMiner9]

Block 907436 ends with 'E', and so NotFuzzyWarm wins. Please drop an address here or via PM.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

It's in my sig as   3NtFuzyWREGoDHWeMczeJzxFZpiLAFJXYr
Thanks

[Knight Hider]

Block 907436 ends with 'E', and so NotFuzzyWarm wins. Please drop an address here or via PM.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=289817

Compac F is designed for overclocking, not underclocking. Without active cooling it won't last long.

[GekkoMiner9]

It's in my sig as   3NtFuzyWREGoDHWeMczeJzxFZpiLAFJXYr
Thanks

Money sent.

It still amazes me how I can send money to anyone via the Internet, with absolutely no permission, and anonymously. Bitcoin is a liberating technology.

[Nexus9090]

It's in my sig as   3NtFuzyWREGoDHWeMczeJzxFZpiLAFJXYr
Thanks

Congrats!

[Nexus9090]

It's in my sig as   3NtFuzyWREGoDHWeMczeJzxFZpiLAFJXYr
Thanks

Money sent.

It still amazes me how I can send money to anyone via the Internet, with absolutely no permission, and anonymously. Bitcoin is a liberating technology.

You're welcome to send me some as well if you like 

3MbtxahpbkC1fGhvcWR7Ja38u8cwN9wzY8

Glad you're up and running now anyway, its amazing how much difference a little air cooling can have.

Good luck finding a block, remember me when you do 

[btcnbegun]

Step 1:

Try using the following format in your command:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100

Values to be used 50,75,100,150

If there isn't a mining activity, try running it with the -n flag.


Step 2:

Run cgminer with verbose output:

Code:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:3333 -u ADDRESS -p x --gekko-compacf-freq 100 -d 0 --verbose

There is an additional or optional step which will be provided in the next post if the above 2 doesn't solve the declining hashing activity.

I'm running this cgminer for quite some time. I'm sure that this additional step is required in the future.