GekkoScience BM1384 Project Development Discussion

[sobe-it]

The short answer is "no". The longer answer involves quoting the first post of this thread (I'll leave finding the other times this question has been answered thoroughly as an exercise for the reader):

The primary goal is to build a simple board which would be USB-connected to a controller, and capable of adjusting both core voltages and clock speeds using cgminer flags... and be a decen Jalapeno-formfactor home desk miner ... with a 4-port USB hub and a Pi or something as the controller, and you have an "S1 Upgrade Kit"

Since the goal has always been to create boards which will run as quiet desk miners, a secondary purpose being four of them will mount on an S1 chassis, no we will not be making it compatible with the S1 controller because that either makes it unnecessarily complex (having two completely separate means of interface) or makes it useless for its primary purpose (specifically, being a simple and flexible miner on its own merits) by tethering it to very special-purpose hardware not everyone has.

Understandable from every point of view, I haven't read every post sorry. Well I believe more people have pi's anyways, if not they are easily accessible. The ras pi 2 (model b) has 4 ports so no need for a hub. Just got one the other day.

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[sidehack]

With hubs you could tie who knows how many boards to a single controller, and it's not just limited to a Pi but anything with USB connectivity that'll run cgminer.

[sobe-it]

I know but it would be cool if it would mount to the s3/s5 bracket, simple and all neat/tucked away. I will look into it next time i power cycle my set up.

[alh]

One significant item to remember. The Raspberry Pi (any model) would be lucky to support a single stick miner of any vintage. The Pi USB ports aren't meant to supply enough current for a stick miner much less multiple ones. Besides the power supply issues, there isn't sufficient spacing between Raspberry Pi USB ports, even if the stick miners drew 200Ma (i.e. 1Watt).

Anyone planning to use a Raspberry Pi will need a USB Hub, myself included. While the 4 ports on the newer Raspberry Pi's are great, they aren't there to supply 600Ma/port.

[sidehack]

For sticks, but he's talking about the TypeZero boards which will certainly not be USB-powered.

Even if you could get a single stick worth of current out of the Pi's USB ports, since they take power from a stupid micro cable (I really have trouble understanding why the designer would use the literal worst socket) you'd be drawing double current and you'd smoke your power-in.

[aarons6]

One significant item to remember. The Raspberry Pi (any model) would be lucky to support a single stick miner of any vintage. The Pi USB ports aren't meant to supply enough current for a stick miner much less multiple ones. Besides the power supply issues, there isn't sufficient spacing between Raspberry Pi USB ports, even if the stick miners drew 200Ma (i.e. 1Watt).

Anyone planning to use a Raspberry Pi will need a USB Hub, myself included. While the 4 ports on the newer Raspberry Pi's are great, they aren't there to supply 600Ma/port.

seems people have already gotten past this.
http://hackaday.com/2015/04/06/more-power-for-raspberry-pi-usb-ports/

[sidehack]

Ah, Hackaday - the internet's premiere source of information for all things Arduino and Internet of Things.

Also the hack on that page only described how to change power limits on one model of Pi, not address older versions with hardware limits and not how to keep any of it from catching on fire due to overdrawing. If you wired power to the header instead of the mini jack you might get away with it. Also the problem of port spacing allowing only one stick still stands.

But yeah. For sticks, just get a not-crappy hub. Even a pretty crappy hub can be made to work well (as evidenced by my $9 11-port powering 5 sticks and a Pi).

[philipma1957]

Ah, Hackaday - the internet's premiere source of information for all things Arduino and Internet of Things.

Also the hack on that page only described how to change power limits on one model of Pi, not address older versions with hardware limits and not how to keep any of it from catching on fire due to overdrawing. If you wired power to the header instead of the mini jack you might get away with it. Also the problem of port spacing allowing only one stick still stands.

But yeah. For sticks, just get a not-crappy hub. Even a pretty crappy hub can be made to work well (as evidenced by my $9 11-port powering 5 sticks and a Pi).

Yeah that link will get you to melt the power input port or wire.

Frankly I love the rasp pi but it has its limits ie use a powered hub.

My guess is  7 -10  sticks will run on the older pi model b with 0 issues.

The upper stick limit will be found on all rasp pi's.

hey if you have a good hub .

the hub will power the pi and run sticks.  I am pretty sure this hub will power a rasp pi  and plug into the same rasp pi allowing up to 7-10 sticks .



 I also think
not so sure this would run the rasp pi and 40 plus sticks.

[aarons6]

Ah, Hackaday - the internet's premiere source of information for all things Arduino and Internet of Things.

Also the hack on that page only described how to change power limits on one model of Pi, not address older versions with hardware limits and not how to keep any of it from catching on fire due to overdrawing. If you wired power to the header instead of the mini jack you might get away with it. Also the problem of port spacing allowing only one stick still stands.

But yeah. For sticks, just get a not-crappy hub. Even a pretty crappy hub can be made to work well (as evidenced by my $9 11-port powering 5 sticks and a Pi).

well i dunno if what i want to do will work or not, but i plan on copying that thread with the solar/battery setup..
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1077811.0

i was looking at getting this combo deal.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MTF70AC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A52XPOA358B2U

it has 2 amps out, the battery takes 1 amp to charge and also outputs 2 amps.. i might need 2 of them for a full days use.
then i plan on making something like this. to switch between the panels and the 2 batteries.


then run 2 of the usb miners off a pi b+

[sidehack]

So, update.

I just got final prices from Bitmain on chips. We're organizing a two-part order, 1200 chips for me and 800 for the guy in Germany. With 1200 chips I can use 1000 as intended earlier for Compacs and Amitas (probably 600 and 200, respectively) and have 200 chips left which will allow me to do a full set of 4 of both 18-chip (half S1) and 30-chip (Prisma) boards for testing.

The portion I'll need to put up for chips and shipping is about 16.6BTC using current values. I'll be shifting funds into the 1BURGER address for now. Being as I'll be all over three states until Thursday I don't expect to take care of final business and submit payment until the end of the week. I don't want to lean on y'all for footing any of that bill, but the way things have been going, I'd probably get lynched if I didn't at least alert folks to the opportunity.

[cavaliersrus]

sorry to hear about the loss man be careful out there on the road man.

sounds like some good things are about to come from chip manufacture and cant wait to hear more info about it

[philipma1957]

So, update.

I just got final prices from Bitmain on chips. We're organizing a two-part order, 1200 chips for me and 800 for the guy in Germany. With 1200 chips I can use 1000 as intended earlier for Compacs and Amitas (probably 600 and 200, respectively) and have 200 chips left which will allow me to do a full set of 4 of both 18-chip (half S1) and 30-chip (Prisma) boards for testing.

The portion I'll need to put up for chips and shipping is about 16.6BTC using current values. I'll be shifting funds into the 1BURGER address for now. Being as I'll be all over three states until Thursday I don't expect to take care of final business and submit payment until the end of the week. I don't want to lean on y'all for footing any of that bill, but the way things have been going, I'd probably get lynched if I didn't at least alert folks to the opportunity.

pm sent.

[TheRealSteve]

First, sorry for your loss 

I don't want to lean on y'all for footing any of that bill, but the way things have been going, I'd probably get lynched if I didn't at least alert folks to the opportunity.

If it's taken as just donations or if it's offset to the cost of the final product(s), that shouldn't be a problem.  Pre-orders in general suck, but traditionally these are for highly theoretical products or (in the past) based on supplies that are on shaky grounds.  Neither should apply here.  You know I'm in for several of the sticks anyway.

[philipma1957]

First, sorry for your loss  

I don't want to lean on y'all for footing any of that bill, but the way things have been going, I'd probably get lynched if I didn't at least alert folks to the opportunity.

If it's taken as just donations or if it's offset to the cost of the final product(s), that shouldn't be a problem.  Pre-orders in general suck, but traditionally these are for highly theoretical products or (in the past) based on supplies that are on shaky grounds.  Neither should apply here.  You know I'm in for several of the sticks anyway.

I pm'd a pledge for support.  

I would be looking to buy sticks and 18 chip boards down the road. I don't mind leaving some funds in sidehack's hands.

[cavaliersrus]

im in for a 2 usb sticks and future antminer s1 upgrade boards

[philipma1957]

and the new usb stick meter came to me today photos posted



https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1086011.msg11624387#msg11624387


it looks like the stick I have can do freq 175 at 9.5 gh and 2.94 watts at worst that is 0.3094 watts a gh.

maybe does 9.65 gh  which is 2.94/9.65 = 0.3046 watts a gh

 I am using poolside gh and cgminer gh

so the gh varies from 9.50 to 9.65  watts needed for that is 2.94 which is amazing

[sidehack]

At freq 175 it should converge to 9.63GH

Regarding folks chipping in, I'd just as soon not take large chunks of coin from anyone, especially not if it's considered prepayment for sticks. Even though we have what appears to be a functional proto stick independently tested, I still don't have the final version PCBs in hand yet, let alone tested. I dunno. Maybe I should be confident enough in the prototypes? The only reason I'm buying the chips now instead of after I have tested final versions is because I gathered from Bitmain communications that chip availability was limited and needed to be taken care of soon.

Granted there's more evidence of the product than most people who take in money for Bitcoin gear ever provide, but I learned very well from my last boss the dangers of selling things which don't actually exist.

[Biodom]

OK, guys, be nice to a pi/usb hubs noob  :

1. Powered USB hub. What voltage the adapter should provide? 12v?
like this (expensive)
http://www.amazon.com/Charging-Adapter-Included-VL812-B2-Chipset/dp/B00EYXZI4M
or like this is OK (more slots for less price):
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Adapter-Control-Switches-HB-U14P/dp/B00HL7Z46K

2. OK, I need pi: I see B+ anywhere between $25 and $35 (are chinese Ok-cheaper $25, or kgilly for $30?-both at Amazon)
Is 512 mb RAM OK?

3. what else would be needed as far as hardware and software is concerned? I have windows 8 pc and dual boot mac (with windows 7)
I would assume that that it would be helpful for pi/usb hubs/cg miner noobs like myself if someone gives an answer, which would also help with ordering.

[Ikron]

1. I know that the anker hub is a more popular choice because it allows a higher current consumption thanks to its usb 3.0 design (up to 900 ma for standard specification)
I don't know which USB protocol version the protocol converter on the stick miner runs on but usb 3.0 hubs dont like running usb 1.1 devices if it is connected to a usb 2.0 host. Luckily you can force the pi to run at usb 1.1
2. For mining, RAM is not significant here
3. I personally run the pi myself for mining. You should be able to use your Mac for operating with the pi. At first run your pi to enable ssh and use your mac for remote access.
A fair warning that the pi USB can only handle so much traffic before packets start getting messed up. I would advise only run one hub with a few miners to start with.  

[quakefiend420]

First, sorry for your loss  

I don't want to lean on y'all for footing any of that bill, but the way things have been going, I'd probably get lynched if I didn't at least alert folks to the opportunity.

If it's taken as just donations or if it's offset to the cost of the final product(s), that shouldn't be a problem.  Pre-orders in general suck, but traditionally these are for highly theoretical products or (in the past) based on supplies that are on shaky grounds.  Neither should apply here.  You know I'm in for several of the sticks anyway.

I pm'd a pledge for support.  

I would be looking to buy sticks and 18 chip boards down the road. I don't mind leaving some funds in sidehack's hands.

Same here.  sidehack, PM me with details.