I guess it is okay if you are willing to tinker with it.
I would prefer to be able to use the newest model 2 as I own one as it is . So it would be zero cost and is more powerful then this little toy one.
As for bitmaintech s-7 controllers are being bricked due to people not understanding the instructions. of starting the gear up.
I have had 3 or 4 people say they turn everything off. plug in all the hash boards turn the psu's on thus all the hashboards are running they then take a hot pcie cable and plug it in the controller since instructions state to make sure hash boards are turned on first.
This has fried quite a few controllers as the pcie plug can spark into the controller since it is live.
https://www.bitmaintech.com/productDetail.htm?pid=000201511170341298180m44675v0613
3. Separate power supply to control board: there is one additional 6pin PCI-e connector on the IO board which must be connected to the PSU to get power. If you use different PSU for hash boards and control board, please make sure to power the hash boards first and the control board only after the hash boards have been powered. When using differnt PSU and you want to power off the miner, be sure to disconnect all the PSU from power.
above is why they hot plug the controller's
Topic: News of a mini RasPi for 5$ How could this change bitcoin mining? - page 2. (Read 2951 times)
November 28, 2015, 12:00:12 AM
November 27, 2015, 11:13:29 PM
For those in the US, I read from the rPi site that MagPi will be your end in 2 weeks (actually 3 weeks from printing as sent by ship)!
Now for the tinkerers who'd rather end up with a $30+ PiZERO contraption of a bitcoin mining rig controller, here's some inspiration .... this guy is working on a daughter board that adds wifi .... though for CNC https://openhardwarecoza.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/raspberry-pi-zero-grbl-all-in-one-cnc-controller/
For those that follow each new Pi release you know for the first 2-3 months they are sold way above value.Now for the tinkerers who'd rather end up with a $30+ PiZERO contraption of a bitcoin mining rig controller, here's some inspiration .... this guy is working on a daughter board that adds wifi .... though for CNC https://openhardwarecoza.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/raspberry-pi-zero-grbl-all-in-one-cnc-controller/
So waiting three weeks and buying one in a magazine for $16 is well worth it.
Thank you for the heads up of the possible wait on the December issue in the US.
For use as a mining controller it makes sense, just add a cheap wifi adapter
but for Kodi and many other uses it just is too expensive with the additional addons.
Too bad it's not a stripped down Pi2. But fun none the less.
November 27, 2015, 09:21:36 PM
For those in the US, I read from the rPi site that MagPi will be your end in 2 weeks (actually 3 weeks from printing as sent by ship)!
Now for the tinkerers who'd rather end up with a $30+ PiZERO contraption of a bitcoin mining rig controller, here's some inspiration .... this guy is working on a daughter board that adds wifi .... though for CNC https://openhardwarecoza.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/raspberry-pi-zero-grbl-all-in-one-cnc-controller/
Now for the tinkerers who'd rather end up with a $30+ PiZERO contraption of a bitcoin mining rig controller, here's some inspiration .... this guy is working on a daughter board that adds wifi .... though for CNC https://openhardwarecoza.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/raspberry-pi-zero-grbl-all-in-one-cnc-controller/
November 27, 2015, 08:01:21 PM
How many of these would you need to mine a mbtc of bitcoin?
Since they don't take up too much electricity then I am guessing they wouldn't give off much heat. So right that is a plus for them in my books.
I think this is what started the pi wallet as well. Let know if I am wrong about that.
Since they don't take up too much electricity then I am guessing they wouldn't give off much heat. So right that is a plus for them in my books.
I think this is what started the pi wallet as well. Let know if I am wrong about that.
November 27, 2015, 07:55:42 PM
They're available for free with the December issue of MagPi magazine which if you're in the US
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
Magpi not in B&N nearby, but there is a whole shelf of gun mags
...Tejas...unless you over pay on Ebay. I will keep checking my B&N and nearby for the issue. To me it's worth paying a little more
for it now but not off of Ebay. Plus I can enjoy the read on the toilet.
November 27, 2015, 07:09:15 PM
They're available for free with the December issue of MagPi magazine which if you're in the US
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
Magpi not in B&N nearby, but there is a whole shelf of gun mags
...Tejas... 
November 27, 2015, 06:30:42 PM
They're available for free with the December issue of MagPi magazine which if you're in the US
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
That is possibly one of the most genius ideas of selling a magazine in today's wold. I read most of my magazines on a e-reader. Just cheap and love when new months auto-download to it.
That is not that bad of a price either. Most places in stock are doing bundles with other gear... so raises their profit. Cant wait till I truly can get a 5 dollar RPI.
November 27, 2015, 05:02:31 PM
They're available for free with the December issue of MagPi magazine which if you're in the US
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
you can find at Barnes&Noble. Unfortunately my store only had October issue in. The magazine retails for $15.99.
November 27, 2015, 04:38:34 PM
Great little device for tinkering, learning and honestly for $5.00 this is brilliant, it is cheap enough to bring into low funded schools for students to experiment with.
November 27, 2015, 03:59:18 PM
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-zero/
Would sure make for cheaper Controller replacement costs?
Not only could Bitmain use these, maybe, in their miners but it just made running USB miners even cheaper. Hopefully it has enough processing power to run the OS and cgminer ~
Would sure make for cheaper Controller replacement costs?
Not only could Bitmain use these, maybe, in their miners but it just made running USB miners even cheaper. Hopefully it has enough processing power to run the OS and cgminer ~
this will have ZERO impact , or almost ZERO with mining, only controllers will be maybe with 10$ cheaper
It will have a bigger impact on some maker/project communities. A 5 dollar RPI to control someones project is pretty nice and hard to beat.
You are right that it will have likely no impact on miners as far as capability. It will be more for those that enjoy tinkering testing it as a controller.
November 27, 2015, 03:50:37 PM
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-zero/
Would sure make for cheaper Controller replacement costs?
Not only could Bitmain use these, maybe, in their miners but it just made running USB miners even cheaper. Hopefully it has enough processing power to run the OS and cgminer ~
Would sure make for cheaper Controller replacement costs?
Not only could Bitmain use these, maybe, in their miners but it just made running USB miners even cheaper. Hopefully it has enough processing power to run the OS and cgminer ~
this will have ZERO impact , or almost ZERO with mining, only controllers will be maybe with 10$ cheaper
November 27, 2015, 02:41:46 PM
Quote
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
From the spec sheet. Does anyone know if you can set data transmission to run through through the GPIO headers on previous models? Obviously that would be the cheapest solution if used with a dedicated controller board on a miner.
The header can be used to add a Wi-Fi shield. That bumps the cost up to model B prices, hence why use it?
I think the reason would be for fun, or space. Buying a RPI B/B+ would be easier and they are not expensive.
I do think there are multiple things such as usb to Ethernet you could get cheap and add on to RPI zero. But one thing to keep in mind is it seems most places with a RPI zero turned it into a kit with cheap accessories.... so you might even be spending more then a RPI B currently.
For most users who just want a turnkey, sure. For people who want to tinker a bit, i think this is great. I'm mostly thinking that it would not be hard for them to make a batch that has a Ethernet port on it. If a company request to buy a batch of 1000+ that come with a Ethernet port then it would not really drive up the price. Then they could be resold at 5-7$ at profit still.
November 27, 2015, 01:30:17 PM
Quote
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
From the spec sheet. Does anyone know if you can set data transmission to run through through the GPIO headers on previous models? Obviously that would be the cheapest solution if used with a dedicated controller board on a miner.
The header can be used to add a Wi-Fi shield. That bumps the cost up to model B prices, hence why use it?
I think the reason would be for fun, or space. Buying a RPI B/B+ would be easier and they are not expensive.
I do think there are multiple things such as usb to Ethernet you could get cheap and add on to RPI zero. But one thing to keep in mind is it seems most places with a RPI zero turned it into a kit with cheap accessories.... so you might even be spending more then a RPI B currently.
November 27, 2015, 01:22:26 PM
Quote
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
From the spec sheet. Does anyone know if you can set data transmission to run through through the GPIO headers on previous models? Obviously that would be the cheapest solution if used with a dedicated controller board on a miner.
The header can be used to add a Wi-Fi shield. That bumps the cost up to model B prices, hence why use it?
November 27, 2015, 01:07:22 PM
Quote
Micro-USB sockets for data and power
From the spec sheet. Does anyone know if you can set data transmission to run through through the GPIO headers on previous models? Obviously that would be the cheapest solution if used with a dedicated controller board on a miner.
November 27, 2015, 11:52:05 AM
Why couldn't you use a cheap adapter like this: http://amzn.com/B00AKXE59E for ethernet? If purchased in bulk for hardware application, surely you could get pricing <$1.
I wonder if there is a mini HDMI-to-USB adapter (if that is even possible). HDMI port is useless for mining, otherwise.
AS far as micro usb to Ethernet-it does not make much sense to me because there are only two micro USB ports there with one dedicated to Power as far as I understand (maybe it cannot do data?), which leaves just one micro USB available for data. I assume you would want to connect micro USB (m) to USB (f) adapter there, then hook up a usb hub, THEN connect a usb to ethernet adapter to that hub. I am not sure that this concoction would work, but it might, however all these adapters would reduce the appeal (since raspberry pi B+ could be had for $19.99 with all connectors already present). However, that tiny thing looks appealing just for trying it out.
November 27, 2015, 10:33:37 AM
Why couldn't you use a cheap adapter like this: http://amzn.com/B00AKXE59E for ethernet? If purchased in bulk for hardware application, surely you could get pricing <$1.
November 27, 2015, 04:27:45 AM
No Ethernet = no effect as nobody building Bitcoin miners is likely to bother even looking at it.
November 26, 2015, 03:44:06 PM
The only thing I can think of that would work is the BTCGarden miners. They utilized the RPi GPIO pins which could easily be soldered onto the PiZero, but to connect to the internet you would need a router with USB to internet built in. Of course there may be a couple other miners that work with GPIO but can't think of them right now. Mind you, I'm only talking about limiting the PiZero to operate in a strictly controller function without adding other shields or adapters to reach a pool.
November 26, 2015, 03:43:06 PM
I think this will have zero impact on the choice of SBC (Single Board Computer) that is used for any mining gear by Bitmain, or anybody else. The cost of the SBC is such a small part of it, that this just wouldn't register.
As I read it, it roughly a Raspberry B-, with a different form factor and reduced ports. The CPU and memory infrastructure look to be straight out of the Raspberry Pi "B series". Even the existing Raspberry Pi B+ costs $20 at MicroCenter to the retail customer. That's got plenty of ports and Ethernet, and would make way more sense.
Yes I think the Pi Zero is a cute and interesting device, but it's impact on the Bitcoin universe will be negligible at best.
As I read it, it roughly a Raspberry B-, with a different form factor and reduced ports. The CPU and memory infrastructure look to be straight out of the Raspberry Pi "B series". Even the existing Raspberry Pi B+ costs $20 at MicroCenter to the retail customer. That's got plenty of ports and Ethernet, and would make way more sense.
Yes I think the Pi Zero is a cute and interesting device, but it's impact on the Bitcoin universe will be negligible at best.
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