Topic: Black Arrow 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $0.49/GH/s - page 21. (Read 787016 times)

   In the last few days there have been increasing reports of X3 units that have failed during hashing.

    We have now located this issue: It has been introduced by a part that we have used in our latest shipped batch (shipped between 20 Oct to 13 Nov). All miners affected by this problem have a barcode sticker (picture will be posted here:http://www.blackarro...y_hashboard.jpg. We are currently sending individual emails to all customers that we believe that are affected. If you have not received an email but are concerned that your miner is affected, please open it and check if your hashboard has such sticker. If your miner is affected, please stop using it immediately. If you do not stop using your miner there is a very high possibility that one or more hashboards will burn. We are now testing new hashboards in which we believe that we have solved the problem. We will send new hashboards to all customers as soon as tests are conclusive. Alternatively we can make arrangements to host your miner in our partner's datacenter in China that charges an all-inclusive fee.

    We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience.

    Technical details: On the latest batch of miners we started to use a different mosfet because of higher efficiency and better sourcing availability. However, to achieve this efficiency this mosfet lacks a diode that protects it from short circuiting the 12V with GND in case there's a wrong message received from the controller. A wrong message can only be caused by the noise in the circuit or by a faulty controller. We have encountered this issue back in May but we have been working with Vishay (the manufacturer) to fix it. Initially, when we found the issue, we wanted to return the chips but Vishay declined to take them back claiming that they are considered safe to be used in consumer electronics and Sony is using them in PS4. Upon applying the changes in our design based on their advice and after testing more than 20 miners we believed that the problem has been solved and started manufacturing miners with these chips. However, it turns out that the problem is still there and in some unknown cases it happens and the mosfet burns, causing a short circuit which heats up the board and sometimes melts the PCIE connector.

Date added: 12 Nov 2014 Prospero X3 issues

we are offering hosting into our partner's datacenter in China.

There is a high probability that your units are defective. I wouldn't sell them on eBay, because you'll be liable after they go up in smoke.

    blackarrow, on 14 Nov 2014 - 11:39 AM, said:

LOL. Nearly a year after  I paid, I got X-3 delivered today.

Despite writing to BA in June asking to change the delivery address, those plonkers still delivered it to my old work address.

I don't even fucking live in UK anymore! It seems they can't do anything right!

Selling both units on ebay if someone is interested.

    In the last few days there have been increasing reports of X3 units that have failed during hashing.

    We have now located this issue: It has been introduced by a part that we have used in our latest shipped batch (shipped between 20 Oct to 13 Nov). All miners affected by this problem have a barcode sticker (picture will be posted here:http://www.blackarro...y_hashboard.jpg. We are currently sending individual emails to all customers that we believe that are affected. If you have not received an email but are concerned that your miner is affected, please open it and check if your hashboard has such sticker. If your miner is affected, please stop using it immediately. If you do not stop using your miner there is a very high possibility that one or more hashboards will burn. We are now testing new hashboards in which we believe that we have solved the problem. We will send new hashboards to all customers as soon as tests are conclusive. Alternatively we can make arrangements to host your miner in our partner's datacenter in China that charges an all-inclusive fee.

    We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience.

    Technical details: On the latest batch of miners we started to use a different mosfet because of higher efficiency and better sourcing availability. However, to achieve this efficiency this mosfet lacks a diode that protects it from short circuiting the 12V with GND in case there's a wrong message received from the controller. A wrong message can only be caused by the noise in the circuit or by a faulty controller. We have encountered this issue back in May but we have been working with Vishay (the manufacturer) to fix it. Initially, when we found the issue, we wanted to return the chips but Vishay declined to take them back claiming that they are considered safe to be used in consumer electronics and Sony is using them in PS4. Upon applying the changes in our design based on their advice and after testing more than 20 miners we believed that the problem has been solved and started manufacturing miners with these chips. However, it turns out that the problem is still there and in some unknown cases it happens and the mosfet burns, causing a short circuit which heats up the board and sometimes melts the PCIE connector.

Dear ********

We do understand that situation may seem grim, however Mining equipment was never done to produce large amounts of Fiat or profit, but as a tool for Bitcoin enthusiasts, the device still serves it's purpose and can miner bitcoins, that is it's original purpose.

Also before buying any equipment, you must get familiar with product you are investing to, as we do not sell out of the shelf products. The purchase is classified as investment in to development of new products. As any investment it involves risk.

However, if you experienced issues with our products we still provide RMA. Unfortunately development of miners are complex process and things not always go as planned, which we apologize for from our side. However we do not refuse to deliver product, or repair it as per agreement during purchase.

We apologize for inconvenience caused.

Regards Alexey A.

Did anyone recieve an X1.5?
What will happen to the custumers who bought compensation psu's for the x1's?

Open them up at the top.  Remove the fans.  Lift the metal tab slightly and pull the hash boards out one at a time (Obviously unplugged from the wall).  Insert one hash board at a time and power up each time.  See if one of the hash boards cause the problem.  You can then RMA the hash board that causes the miner to stop working.  And mine with the others in the meantime. 

Just thought I'd let everyone know, I have received two X3's. One unit has a fault as I turned it on with power supply so that's me 1 T/h down already before I even begin. I did not receive any compensation they said they were going to give me. I just hope the others don't catch fire.

Did you order from minersource or blackarrow? Since minersource is also busy shipping orders even after they promise refunds..

They said they put me on refund queue but yesterday 2 X3 show up without warning. Cost $250 for customs clearance. Wish they warn me first so I can get cheaper tax rate at customs. Hope this units won't blow up like others.