ANTMINER S3+ Discussion and Support Thread

[cdjbolton]

Has anyone noticed an issue with a S3+ where it slows down to ~10% of normal speed (50GH instead of 500GH) after running for a few hours?

I have a S3+ that sporadically does this, and need to restart cgminer to fix it.

The issue is probably either with cgminer, my mining pool (solo.ckpool.org), or PSU. I'm running two S3s on a decent 1000W gold PSU, so I don't think the power supply is the issue.

I'm also using the latest Nov 26 firmware.

The issue above has been caused by the latest firmware, I have around 20 machines and the only ones effected were the ones with this firmware S320141126

Revert back to this firmware S320141024 and everything should be ok, and just wait for another release, I was laughing with friends as bitmain are releasing firmware like microsoft release windows, they mess up a little part of the firmware every other release as with this release S320141013 you couldn't amend your pool details 

[kendog77]

Thanks, I'm going to switch back to the old firmware now. Hopefully that will solve the issue.

[jjiimm_64]

The issue above has been caused by the latest firmware, I have around 20 machines and the only ones effected were the ones with this firmware S320141126

Revert back to this firmware S320141024 and everything should be ok, and just wait for another release, I was laughing with friends as bitmain are releasing firmware like microsoft release windows, they mess up a little part of the firmware every other release as with this release S320141013 you couldn't amend your pool details 

I have a bunch of new S3's that appear to be dropping one blade... is this the same issue?

[cdjbolton]

The issue above has been caused by the latest firmware, I have around 20 machines and the only ones effected were the ones with this firmware S320141126

Revert back to this firmware S320141024 and everything should be ok, and just wait for another release, I was laughing with friends as bitmain are releasing firmware like microsoft release windows, they mess up a little part of the firmware every other release as with this release S320141013 you couldn't amend your pool details 

I have a bunch of new S3's that appear to be dropping one blade... is this the same issue?

Yes this is the same issue, Im very surprised this has not been noticed or mentioned by bitmain yet.

[jjiimm_64]

The issue above has been caused by the latest firmware, I have around 20 machines and the only ones effected were the ones with this firmware S320141126

Revert back to this firmware S320141024 and everything should be ok, and just wait for another release, I was laughing with friends as bitmain are releasing firmware like microsoft release windows, they mess up a little part of the firmware every other release as with this release S320141013 you couldn't amend your pool details 

I have a bunch of new S3's that appear to be dropping one blade... is this the same issue?

Yes this is the same issue, Im very surprised this has not been noticed or mentioned by bitmain yet.

Thanks... thats what I get for doing the bleeding edge.. i should know better.  I am still on firefox 21

[suchmoon]

I have an antminer S3 Batch 1 or 2 that is overheating, it runs 60 degrees Celcius on the one side and fan at 9000 RPM, fan running fast and loud. the room is 70F.

Should I take the miner apart and try some silicon paste? Why all of a sudden would this happen to my S3 miner? Very confused.

Thanks in advance!

60C is not that bad. What's the temp on the other side? Is the hot side hashing any slower or showing "x", "-" etc?

BTW 9000 rpm is bogus, max speed for that fan is I think 3000 rpm, but the fan sensors in S3 are notoriously unreliable. Maybe your temp sensor is acting up too.

[mrpark]

The weird thing though it how loud it was, I know something was suddenly different. I have a few of these, yes, temp sensors, controller board, Hash board. Seems like there are so many parts that will go bad at some point. At some point I guess I can take the case off and get reading with a temperature gun to see if its really hotter than that other side. Seems all my miners act up as soon as I am done the warranty too!

I have an antminer S3 Batch 1 or 2 that is overheating, it runs 60 degrees Celcius on the one side and fan at 9000 RPM, fan running fast and loud. the room is 70F.

Should I take the miner apart and try some silicon paste? Why all of a sudden would this happen to my S3 miner? Very confused.

Thanks in advance!

60C is not that bad. What's the temp on the other side? Is the hot side hashing any slower or showing "x", "-" etc?

BTW 9000 rpm is bogus, max speed for that fan is I think 3000 rpm, but the fan sensors in S3 are notoriously unreliable. Maybe your temp sensor is acting up too.

[daddyfatsax]

Good to see other people are having the issue with a blade dropping out. I just dropped the OC down on 2 of my units with the newest FW. We will see if that helps.

[jjiimm_64]

Good to see other people are having the issue with a blade dropping out. I just dropped the OC down on 2 of my units with the newest FW. We will see if that helps.

use the one from 1024.

[jjiimm_64]

I would like the bring up the discussion about downvolting again..  it doesn't appear to make a difference measured by the a killawatt at the wall when lowering the voltage.

the watts go down some when you lower the freq., but you should be able to get a better Gh/j with the voltage change... right?

[daddyfatsax]

Good to see other people are having the issue with a blade dropping out. I just dropped the OC down on 2 of my units with the newest FW. We will see if that helps.

use the one from 1024.

Just flashed it. Dropping the OC did not help.

edit: the old FW works fine. Nice job sending out another faulty FW Bitmain. 

[GigaBit]

A part on one of my S3's broke...

Well, didn't really break but let's say it does not do its intended job anymore.

I know, I tried its opposite side's wire and it's definitely the wire.

I know why, my own stupidity, don't ask but it happened  

It's the one of the two, 2 x 10 pin ribbon wires that connects the hashboards to the control board.

The ones that are over/under, as in:

xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx

I don't have a spare and I cannot for the life of me find a website that sells this... I just don't know the fancy name, if there is ever one.

No sense putting a picture, I'm sure a "few" miners know what I'm talking about.

Anyone know where to get one in North-America, hassle free or does this need to be special ordered from Bitmain?

They're not very co-operative, all I want is an invoice, I'll pay it then they can ship it, after 3 back and forth emails, still no payment request.

When they reply they talk to me like I'm a computer n00b; been a client of theirs for over a year now and still buying hardware.

Can someone help me find the wire I need?  I'm sure I'm not the only guy who's had one of those wires go bad...

There's also people who know their shit a lot more than me =D

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Looks like the name of the part is SPI Ribbon Wire.

[dogie]

[I don't monitor this thread so you'll have to play fetch to get me back but...] for anyone struggling with the newer firmware, roll back in the meantime. Engineers are looking at the problem.

[windpath]

A part on one of my S3's broke...

Well, didn't really break but let's say it does not do its intended job anymore.

I know, I tried its opposite side's wire and it's definitely the wire.

I know why, my own stupidity, don't ask but it happened  

It's the one of the two, 2 x 10 pin ribbon wires that connects the hashboards to the control board.

The ones that are over/under, as in:

xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx

I don't have a spare and I cannot for the life of me find a website that sells this... I just don't know the fancy name, if there is ever one.

No sense putting a picture, I'm sure a "few" miners know what I'm talking about.

Anyone know where to get one in North-America, hassle free or does this need to be special ordered from Bitmain?

They're not very co-operative, all I want is an invoice, I'll pay it then they can ship it, after 3 back and forth emails, still no payment request.

When they reply they talk to me like I'm a computer n00b; been a client of theirs for over a year now and still buying hardware.

Can someone help me find the wire I need?  I'm sure I'm not the only guy who's had one of those wires go bad...

There's also people who know their shit a lot more than me =D

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Looks like the name of the part is SPI Ribbon Wire.

Have not opened the S3 to look at the cables yet, but this is what you describe:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pcs-2mm-Pitch-2x10-Pin-20-Pin-20-Wire-IDC-Flat-Ribbon-Cable-Length-15CM-/170932131535

[GigaBit]

A part on one of my S3's broke...

Well, didn't really break but let's say it does not do its intended job anymore.

I know, I tried its opposite side's wire and it's definitely the wire.

I know why, my own stupidity, don't ask but it happened  

It's the one of the two, 2 x 10 pin ribbon wires that connects the hashboards to the control board.

The ones that are over/under, as in:

xxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx

I don't have a spare and I cannot for the life of me find a website that sells this... I just don't know the fancy name, if there is ever one.

No sense putting a picture, I'm sure a "few" miners know what I'm talking about.

Anyone know where to get one in North-America, hassle free or does this need to be special ordered from Bitmain?

They're not very co-operative, all I want is an invoice, I'll pay it then they can ship it, after 3 back and forth emails, still no payment request.

When they reply they talk to me like I'm a computer n00b; been a client of theirs for over a year now and still buying hardware.

Can someone help me find the wire I need?  I'm sure I'm not the only guy who's had one of those wires go bad...

There's also people who know their shit a lot more than me =D

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Looks like the name of the part is SPI Ribbon Wire.

Have not opened the S3 to look at the cables yet, but this is what you describe:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pcs-2mm-Pitch-2x10-Pin-20-Pin-20-Wire-IDC-Flat-Ribbon-Cable-Length-15CM-/170932131535

Ha!  You fucking rock!!

This could work, yes, it looks like them, different colors but mining's not supposed to be pretty anyways 

I'll look if I can get shorter ones but if all else fails, this is it right there.

It's that or go fuck myself I guess, eh? lol

Cheap price, free shipping, mind blown, day saved.  Those would perfect spares, if they do work.

That said, I would, however, still want Bitmain OEM parts on my Bitmain AntMiners... :/

If anything, I can always keep that elusive miner that makes it way in my "miner retirement" closet.

That's perfect, too bad I can't buy right there on eBay, I need that like yesterday, not in Mid January lol

I'll now be able to find a store near me to order a bunch and see what happens but at least now I have a target to hunt for.

[pekatete]

That said, I would, however, still want Bitmain OEM parts on my Bitmain AntMiners... :/

Mind what you ask for, else you'll get it!
I'd say not worth it getting bitmain parts (more relevant though not worth for bitmain!). They'll charge you a packet for shipping, as they'd rightly have to, and their prices are ridiculous to say the least.
A replacement S3 controller board, for example, is nothing short of $ 110 plus shipping (or you'll have to make an order for an S3 and they'll ship both together at no extra shipping cost).
At the end of the day, the parts bitmain use, aside from their custom chip, are OEM parts which you can get on the open market.

[jjiimm_64]

I would like the bring up the discussion about downvolting again..  it doesn't appear to make a difference measured by the a killawatt at the wall when lowering the voltage.

the watts go down some when you lower the freq., but you should be able to get a better Gh/j with the voltage change... right?

has anyone been able to lower the watts at the wall???

[pekatete]

I would like the bring up the discussion about downvolting again..  it doesn't appear to make a difference measured by the a killawatt at the wall when lowering the voltage.

the watts go down some when you lower the freq., but you should be able to get a better Gh/j with the voltage change... right?

has anyone been able to lower the watts at the wall???

Have you got a killawatt and have you measured / monitored? I'd hazard to say thats your answer; but bitmain (or someone else) may have other empirical evidence / knowledge.

[Swoosher76]

Hi All,

If this has already been discussed please forgive the double post, but in a brief search I did not find it mentioned yet.

I have been having odd issues with the latest S3+ firmware (antMiner_S320141126.bin) that my miner will just seemingly randomly start slowing down in its mining rate until it completely drops to zero.  Not overclocked, running off a good 620 watt antec power supply.  It never did this until the firmware update and since I rolled it back to the old one it has not done it since...  Going on 48+ hours not since the roll back and no issues.  It was happening about twice a day with the (antMiner_S320141126.bin) firmware.

Anyone else have similar issues?

*** After More Searching I found my answer ***

[jjiimm_64]

I would like the bring up the discussion about downvolting again..  it doesn't appear to make a difference measured by the a killawatt at the wall when lowering the voltage.

the watts go down some when you lower the freq., but you should be able to get a better Gh/j with the voltage change... right?

has anyone been able to lower the watts at the wall???

Have you got a killawatt and have you measured / monitored? I'd hazard to say thats your answer; but bitmain (or someone else) may have other empirical evidence / knowledge.

Yes I do, reference the post you quoted!