ANTMINER U3 Discussion and Support Thread

[TheRealSteve]

Have you found a suitable aftermarket PSU? Thank you for the specifications.

I just used an old LCD monitor adapter with the barrel connector from one of those 'universal adapter' cheapo things - comes with a bunch of different connectors.  Rather than shop for a PSU with a specific connector, I'd say look for a decent PSU (a desktop PSU tends to perform much better) - you can always wire up a different connector.

[Jake-R]

Do these use the same power input connector

To add to Bitmain's reply: it's a 5.5/2.5mm barrel jack.  The others are 5.5/2.1.

So in theory, this PSU would fit? Oddly, it is the same one I use for my Gridseed USB miners: http://www.amazon.com/Kastar-TV--Supper-Shipping-USA--18-Month-Warranty/dp/B003TUMDWG

[TheRealSteve]

In theory - not sure I'd quite trust that cheap of a supply...and the first review of a burnt-up unit isn't confidence-inspiring - but in theory.

[Jake-R]

I know, I read that review as well  But I own a couple of these already and they work great. Thank you for your help.

[kodan50]

Greetings!

 I've finally got the Antminer to run on my Raspberry Pi, but it keeps going zombie on CGMiner. The build that Bitmain offers doesn't have this issue on Windows; Is this version also available on Linux? My laptop will run them just fine, it's just bulky as all hell if I try to mine with them on my laptop, and wanted to avoid it if I can.

[movellan]

Yes, the metal base gets VERY hot on the v2's as well. I use a thermaltake  usb fan for the underside and it keeps it much cooler

Just picked up the two v2 units I have in front of my laptop that have been running all day. The bottom plate is cool enough to hold each in my hand comfortably. Running these at default specs and they consistently do 56gh+. BTW, anyone have ideas about stacking the v2 units as I've seen done with Gridseeds? Thought about using standoffs but doesn't seem like they would be stable. I've done a little experimenting and it looks like about 1½" spacing between gives enough room for proper cooling.

What is it about these units that causes such drastic end user experiences?  Of the 3 I have, all 3 are almost too hot too touch on the bottom when running.  Default specs I never see more than 40GH.  Did you have any problems getting them both to run at the same time?

Running 2 at a time seems to work OK.  Sometimes CGMiner will switch one or both units to a new AU3 number, but they keep on mining. Here's my setup:

1} Dell M4500 64-bit i7 Quad, 16gb, stand-alone DSL connection. CGMner runs OK, but with other mining hardware BFGMiner x64-seems to run faster and more stable. Looking forward to trying the v2's with BFG 5.20 when it becomes available.

2} Have used these Anker/Orico/Aitech 10-port aluminum hubs for 2 years with no problems. Having a power switch makes it easy to reset without unplugging the U3's  When a unit goes zombie, just shut down CGMiner, power off the hub, wait a few seconds, restart the hub and restart CGMiner.

http://www.amazon.com/Aitech-Adapter-backward-Compatible-aluminum/dp/B009NESU4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429186867&sr=8-1&keywords=aitech+10+port+usb+3.0+hub

3) Use this Supernight power supply to run both the V2 units and the hub. Meanwell brand seems to be the same unit. Some of these don't come with a thermal switch that cycles the fan, so I install one. It cuts down on the fan failures which is a problem with these; I have to replace the fan every six nonths or so. Anyone know of a quality ball-bearing replacement fan that will fit? The stock PS units that come with the v2's are not very stable and get too hot with normal use.

http://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer/dp/B009EIANT2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429186484&sr=8-4&keywords=12v+30a+power+supply

Will be trying 4 more U3's on another similar machine when I get things set up. Will post here how it goes.

Update as promised on running 4 v2 U3 units at once. Machine and setup are as above; running four U3's in the Anker hub, same PS. In a 24-hour period it's common to get at least 1 unit to go zombie. Reset is easy with the Anker hub; no unplug-plugin hassles. One unit seems to slow down to mid-40's GHS from an itnitial 56+. Will crack this one open and check the paste.

A note on the startup sequence of the Anker/Orico/Antec 10-port aluminum hub. Counting 1-to-10 from the plug end of the hub, these have a strange sequence loading ports when turned on. It goes 6-5-10-9-8-7-4-3-1-2. Plugging in the U3's in that order seems to help a lot with stable running.

Have been experimenting with stacking the units and will post some ideas as they are tested. Also plan on using a larger PS to run up to 10 units from one hub in the future. Wish LukeJr would hurry up and post BFGMiner 5.2 as I think the U3's would be quicker and more stable running under a 64-bit program.

[fishb0ne]

Many of these sell on eBay with a laptop-type power supply? Is that safe and OK to use?

[TheRealSteve]

Many of these sell on eBay with a laptop-type power supply? Is that safe and OK to use?

As long as they're rated for the power consumption they should be fine.  Figuring out if they're truly rated for it and not just claimed to be is usually the issue - read a few posts up for an example of a power supply I wouldn't particularly use, but the person asking has been happy with them.. make your own risk assessment

[fishb0ne]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.

[Mikestang]

Many of these sell on eBay with a laptop-type power supply? Is that safe and OK to use?

Read through the thread and you'll see that you shouldn't over clock with them or they melt.

[wlefever]

Yeah I can't get mine to show up on cgminer so its been a waste.  It worked "okay" at one point, but now it powers on just won't connect.

[Jake-R]

Yeah I can't get mine to show up on cgminer so its been a waste.  It worked "okay" at one point, but now it powers on just won't connect.

Do you have Version 1 (metal cover with air-holes) or Version 2 (wire-frame)?

[wlefever]

Yeah I can't get mine to show up on cgminer so its been a waste.  It worked "okay" at one point, but now it powers on just won't connect.

Do you have Version 1 (metal cover with air-holes) or Version 2 (wire-frame)?

Version 2 wire frame

[Jake-R]

Yeah I can't get mine to show up on cgminer so its been a waste.  It worked "okay" at one point, but now it powers on just won't connect.

Do you have Version 1 (metal cover with air-holes) or Version 2 (wire-frame)?

Version 2 wire frame

I currently have two of the Version 1's (solid metal with air-holes). They seem to stay connected but need to be reset every day or so. I hope yours is not broken for good, does it show up in Device Manager? We need BFGMiner support soon.

[wlefever]

Yeah I can't get mine to show up on cgminer so its been a waste.  It worked "okay" at one point, but now it powers on just won't connect.

Do you have Version 1 (metal cover with air-holes) or Version 2 (wire-frame)?

Version 2 wire frame

I currently have two of the Version 1's (solid metal with air-holes). They seem to stay connected but need to be reset every day or so. I hope yours is not broken for good, does it show up in Device Manager? We need BFGMiner support soon.

That was how this one ran when I first hooked it up.  Yeah it shows up I just can't seem to get cgminer to find it anymore...I kind of lost my patience with it, and set it aside so maybe i need to give it a few more tries. 

[hardfork1]

What do you think of these for lotto users?   Is this the best small asic for it?

Or would you suggest a different little miner for lotto?

[-ck]

What do you think of these for lotto users?   Is this the best small asic for it?

Or would you suggest a different little miner for lotto?

No, these are crap and unstable. They rarely run for more than a day before crapping out before you need to manually reset them.

[Mikestang]

What do you think of these for lotto users?   Is this the best small asic for it?

Or would you suggest a different little miner for lotto?

No, these are crap and unstable. They rarely run for more than a day before crapping out before you need to manually reset them.

Agree.  I have 2, had 3 at one point, they are not worth a shit.

Buy an S1 or S3; cheaper, faster, and rock-solid.

[Jake-R]

I found if I overclock the U3's they don't seem to go zombie. Normally, they would zombie-out after 48-72 hours. But when I add this to the start-up batch file for cgminer they run without failing: --au3-volt 850 --au3-freq 250

Very bizarre.

[Mikestang]

I've found there is no single answer to these units.  I have 2 currently, one of them doesn't respond to OCing at all, and always has about 2% error.  The other will OC up to about 58GH/s, but it won't hold it for long.