Antminer S9: Am I Better Off Using a Step Up Transformer or 2 PSUs?

ccgllc

copper member

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Math doesn't care what you believe.

Quote from: munchies859 on February 16, 2018, 06:43:11 PM

I do have a dryer outlet like the one I've linked to below that isn't in use since my dryer only requires 110v and is plugged into a normal outlet. That was by first thought, but I cannot find the right combination of cords or adaptors that can make it work. When I was googling around for an answer I found one guy who said it's impossible for some reason, but who knows if that is correct. I don't want to jerry rig something though by splicing wires myself, be it from this outlet or from my breaker. Saving a little money isn't worth burning my house down or zapping myself.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ngHbefakL._SL1500_.jpg

This is a pretty straight forward plug - two hots on the top and a bottom ground I believe. I think modern ones have a 4 prong double ground, but I digress.

If you are not comfortable making a plug for your Antminer, please do NOT attempt to do so. Find a buddy who is, or go another route. FYI - they can likely find the plugs they will need at Home Depot/Lowes/Menards/etc.

(Moderator's note: This post was edited by frodocooper to fix broken quote formatting.)

munchies859

jr. member

Activity: 42

Merit: 3

Quote from: ccgllc on February 16, 2018, 02:44:04 PM

Using the two APW3++'s you have as your described will be just fine - so long as they are, as you indicated, on separate circuits.

Rigging a power cord for your electric dryer outlet, if not in use, might be easier - since its unlikely your going to find 2 separate circuit 110V outlets close to each other. You would just need a male 30amp dryer plug on one end, 12 gauge (yellow coated) wire for the run, and whatever plug you need for your APW3++ on the other end. Then you could use a single APW3++ to run it.

Note a step-up transformer is not magic - its going to pull all twice the 220V amperage on the 110V input side, plus waste a bit of power doing it. e.g. Blown breaker.

I do have a dryer outlet like the one I've linked to below that isn't in use since my dryer only requires 110v and is plugged into a normal outlet. That was by first thought, but I cannot find the right combination of cords or adaptors that can make it work. When I was googling around for an answer I found one guy who said it's impossible for some reason, but who knows if that is correct. I don't want to jerry rig something though by splicing wires myself, be it from this outlet or from my breaker. Saving a little money isn't worth burning my house down or zapping myself.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71ngHbefakL._SL1500_.jpg

Quote

To be 100% clear though, having a single S9 in the house is torturous (as long it is not in the basement).
The sound that this machine makes is simply incredible and not in a good way.

It's gonna be in the basement. I already have an L3+ down there as well as a furnace that is cranking away all winter making noise.

ccgllc

copper member

Activity: 658

Merit: 101

Math doesn't care what you believe.

Using the two APW3++'s you have as your described will be just fine - so long as they are, as you indicated, on separate circuits.

Rigging a power cord for your electric dryer outlet, if not in use, might be easier - since its unlikely your going to find 2 separate circuit 110V outlets close to each other. You would just need a male 30amp dryer plug on one end, 12 gauge (yellow coated) wire for the run, and whatever plug you need for your APW3++ on the other end. Then you could use a single APW3++ to run it.

Note a step-up transformer is not magic - its going to pull all twice the 220V amperage on the 110V input side, plus waste a bit of power doing it. e.g. Blown breaker.

MinerMEDIC

member

Activity: 166

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EET/NASA intern 2013 Bitmain/MicroBT/IPC cert

US houses have 220/240 at the breaker box where it's bifurcated to run different sections of the house. An outlet might not be as difficult as you imagine as mentioned maybe hiding right behind your dryer. You'll still need a new outlet/adaptor the pins are arranged quite differently.

Biodom

legendary

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Quote from: munchies859 on February 16, 2018, 12:22:57 AM

I'm looking to set up an S9 in my house with only normal (for the US anyway) 110v outlets.

The house does not have the dryer and/or oven hookups?
They are 220/240V.
A simpler solution, maybe, if you are renting by yourself.
I suggest to check the box outside, if you have an access to it, just do it carefully.

To be 100% clear though, having a single S9 in the house is torturous (as long it is not in the basement).
The sound that this machine makes is simply incredible and not in a good way.

munchies859

jr. member

Activity: 42

Merit: 3

Quote

last I read those don't work on 110/120 volt

You mean the APW3++? I have one powering my L3+, and it works fine for that. The issue is that they max out at 1200W with 110v, and the S9 draws a little more than that while the L3+ only uses 800W. Two of them should have more than enough power, but my concern is what would happen having two attached to one S9.

philipma1957

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Quote from: munchies859 on February 16, 2018, 12:22:57 AM

I'm looking to set up an S9 in my house with only normal (for the US anyway) 110v outlets. I rent the house, so getting a 220v outlet put in isn't a realistic option. Right now, I currently have two APW3++ Bitmain power supplies. My question is if I am better off selling one APW3++ and buying a 2000W step up transformer like the one I've linked to below, of if I should use one APW3++ to power two of the hash boards and the other to power the third hash board and the controller, each on separate 15 amp circuits? If I went with the step up transformer, it would be on a dedicated 15 amp circuit. Would I risk damaging the miner by using two power supplies as long as each hash board only is attached to one power supply? Also, how much efficiency would I lose by using a step up transformer if I went that route? I tried googling for an answer about how people set these machines up with 110v outlets, but all I could find was people asking about using a single power supply or using two weaker power supplies that put out a lot less watts than an APW3++. Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.amazon.com/Goldsource-STU-2000-Voltage-Transformer-Converter/dp/B0022U4J12/ref=pd_day0_23_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0022U4J12&pd_rd_r=9VTW2PHBAZPD9XYAYWGT&pd_rd_w=wpxq6&pd_rd_wg=Dt8k2&psc=1&refRID=9VTW2PHBAZPD9XYAYWGT

last I read those don't work on 110/120 volt

munchies859

jr. member

Activity: 42

Merit: 3

I'm looking to set up an S9 in my house with only normal (for the US anyway) 110v outlets. I rent the house, so getting a 220v outlet put in isn't a realistic option. Right now, I currently have two APW3++ Bitmain power supplies. My question is if I am better off selling one APW3++ and buying a 2000W step up transformer like the one I've linked to below, of if I should use one APW3++ to power two of the hash boards and the other to power the third hash board and the controller, each on separate 15 amp circuits? If I went with the step up transformer, it would be on a dedicated 15 amp circuit. Would I risk damaging the miner by using two power supplies as long as each hash board only is attached to one power supply? Also, how much efficiency would I lose by using a step up transformer if I went that route? I tried googling for an answer about how people set these machines up with 110v outlets, but all I could find was people asking about using a single power supply or using two weaker power supplies that put out a lot less watts than an APW3++. Any advice is appreciated.

https://www.amazon.com/Goldsource-STU-2000-Voltage-Transformer-Converter/dp/B0022U4J12/ref=pd_day0_23_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0022U4J12&pd_rd_r=9VTW2PHBAZPD9XYAYWGT&pd_rd_w=wpxq6&pd_rd_wg=Dt8k2&psc=1&refRID=9VTW2PHBAZPD9XYAYWGT

Topic: Antminer S9: Am I Better Off Using a Step Up Transformer or 2 PSUs? (Read 209 times)