The Bitmain Antminer L3+ is the Scrypt-algorithm equivalent of the Antminer S9 — a defining piece of cryptocurrency mining history. Released in 2017, the L3+ delivered 504 MH/s of Scrypt hashpower, primarily used for mining Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE). Built on Bitmain’s BM1485 ASIC chip, the L3+ was the dominant Scrypt miner for years and established Bitmain’s presence beyond SHA-256 mining.
With a relatively modest 800W power consumption and 4 hashboards packed with 288 total chips, the L3+ was remarkably efficient for its era. Its compact form factor and lower heat output compared to SHA-256 miners made it one of the more home-friendly ASIC miners available. At approximately 70 dB, it was also quieter than contemporary Bitcoin miners.
In 2026, the L3+ is no longer competitive for Litecoin mining profitability, but it has found a second life in the Bitcoin ecosystem through D-Central’s BitChimney project — a chimney-style space heater conversion specifically designed for the L3+ platform. The L3+ also remains popular as a learning tool, a Dogecoin lottery miner, and a low-power heater for small spaces. D-Central provides full repair services and space heater conversion for the L3+ platform.
Antminer L3+ Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bitmain |
| Model | Antminer L3+ |
| Release Date | 2017 |
| Algorithm | Scrypt |
| Hashrate | 504 MH/s (±5%) |
| Power Consumption | 800W (±5%) |
| Efficiency | 1.587 J/MH |
| Input Voltage | 11.6–13.2V DC |
| Dimensions | 352 × 130 × 187.5 mm |
| Weight | 6.5 kg |
| Noise Level | ~70 dB |
| Operating Temperature | 0–40°C |
| Cooling | 2 × high-speed fans |
| Network Connection | Ethernet (RJ45) |
| ASIC Chip | BM1485 |
| Chips per Hashboard | 72 |
| Number of Hashboards | 4 |
| Total Chip Count | 288 |
| Power Supply | APW3++ (sold separately) |
Performance Analysis
The L3+ mines the Scrypt algorithm, used by Litecoin and Dogecoin, so direct efficiency comparisons with SHA-256 miners are not applicable. Within the Scrypt mining landscape, the L3+ has been surpassed by newer hardware like the Antminer L7 (9,500 MH/s at 3,425W), which delivers nearly 19 times the hashrate at roughly 5 times the efficiency per megahash.
However, the L3+ has unique advantages: its low total power draw (800W) and relatively compact dimensions make it practical for home environments where a 3,000W+ machine is not feasible. The 800W power draw is comparable to a small space heater, making the L3+ a natural candidate for dual-purpose heating.
Daily and Monthly Power Costs
| Electricity Rate | Daily Power Cost | Monthly Power Cost | Viability |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.05/kWh | $0.96 | $29 | Low electricity cost — viable as a space heater mining DOGE/LTC |
| $0.08/kWh | $1.54 | $46 | Marginal for pure mining — excellent as a BitChimney space heater |
| $0.10/kWh | $1.92 | $58 | Unprofitable for pure mining — use as a heater to offset costs |
| $0.12/kWh | $2.30 | $69 | Unprofitable — heater conversion recommended to justify power draw |
Heat Output
The L3+ produces approximately 2,730 BTU/h of heat (800W × 3.412 BTU/W). This is a modest heat output — roughly equivalent to a small personal space heater. D-Central’s BitChimney conversion channels this heat efficiently upward through a chimney-style enclosure, making the L3+ an elegant heating solution for small rooms, workshops, or home offices.
Noise Characteristics
At approximately 70 dB, the L3+ is noticeably quieter than most Bitcoin ASIC miners. This lower noise floor makes it more suitable for home environments, though it is still audible in a quiet room. Fan replacements can further reduce noise for space heater applications.
Best Use Cases in 2026
BitChimney Space Heater: D-Central’s signature BitChimney conversion turns the L3+ into a chimney-style space heater — a unique and functional piece of Bitcoin culture that heats your space while mining Litecoin or Dogecoin. This is the L3+’s highest-value use case in 2026.
Low-Power Home Mining: At just 800W, the L3+ is one of the lowest-power ASIC miners available. For miners on standard 15A household circuits who cannot support 3,000W+ machines, the L3+ offers a way to participate in mining without electrical upgrades.
Dogecoin Mining: With merged mining on the Scrypt algorithm, the L3+ simultaneously mines both Litecoin and Dogecoin. For Dogecoin enthusiasts, this provides a low-cost way to accumulate DOGE.
Learning Platform: The L3+’s 4-hashboard design provides excellent hands-on experience for learning ASIC repair and maintenance. Its lower power requirements also make it safer for beginners.
Common Issues & Repair
Common L3+ failure modes include:
- Hashboard failures: BM1485 chip failures can cause individual hashboards to drop offline or produce reduced hashrate. The 4-hashboard design means losing one board reduces total hashrate by 25%.
- Fan failures: Worn fan bearings cause noise and reduced airflow. Left unaddressed, overheating can damage hashboards.
- Connector oxidation: The power connectors between PSU and hashboards can develop oxide buildup over years of operation, causing intermittent power delivery.
- Control board issues: Ethernet port failures and firmware corruption can prevent the L3+ from connecting to mining pools.
D-Central offers professional Antminer L3+ Repair services from our Canadian workshop. We service hashboards, control boards, fans, and connectors. See our ASIC Repair Cost Estimator for pricing.
D-Central Services for the Antminer L3+
- Repair: Full hashboard, control board, and fan repair — Antminer L3+ Repair
- BitChimney Conversion: Chimney-style space heater build — BitChimney Guide
- Space Heater Options: Browse all models — Bitcoin Space Heaters
- Replacement Parts: Fans, hashboards, cables — Shop Parts
- Repair Cost Estimate: ASIC Repair Cost Estimator
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Antminer L3+ still profitable in 2026?
For pure Scrypt mining, the L3+ is marginally profitable only with very cheap electricity (under $0.05/kWh). At standard rates, mining revenue does not cover electricity costs. However, as a BitChimney space heater, the L3+ converts electricity to heat and crypto simultaneously, making the effective cost of mining near zero during heating season.
How much electricity does the Antminer L3+ use per day?
The L3+ consumes approximately 800W continuously, translating to 19.2 kWh per day or about 576 kWh per month. At $0.10/kWh, that is $1.92/day or $58/month — significantly less than most Bitcoin miners.
Can the Antminer L3+ be used as a space heater?
Yes — the L3+ is one of the best ASIC miners for space heater conversion. Its low power draw (800W), modest noise (70 dB), and compact size make it ideal for the BitChimney chimney-style heater conversion that D-Central pioneered.
What coins can the Antminer L3+ mine?
The L3+ mines any Scrypt-algorithm cryptocurrency. The primary coins are Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE), which can be mined simultaneously through merged mining on most pools.
How does the L3+ compare to the Antminer L7?
The Antminer L7 delivers 9,500 MH/s at 3,425W — roughly 19x the hashrate of the L3+ at about 4.3x the power consumption. The L7 is dramatically more efficient and profitable. However, the L3+ costs a fraction of the price on the used market and draws far less power, making it suitable for low-power home setups and space heater conversions where the L7 would be overkill.
