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AvalonMiner 1246 Maintenance & Repair Guide

Table of Contents

Welcome to the comprehensive maintenance guide for the AvalonMiner 1246, a cutting-edge Bitcoin mining device from Canaan. This powerful and reliable piece of hardware utilizes the SHA-256 algorithm, making it an excellent choice for cryptocurrency miners seeking to optimize their profits. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to keep your AvalonMiner 1246 running at peak performance, ensuring that you get the most out of your investment.

The AvalonMiner 1246 boasts a range of impressive features that set it apart from its competitors. The unit comes equipped with four cooling fans, providing added stability and ensuring that your miner stays cool even during the most intensive mining sessions.

One of the key advantages of the AvalonMiner 1246 is its integrated power supply within the enclosure. This design simplifies both deployment and maintenance, making it easier for users to manage their mining operations. Furthermore, the device supports an Ethernet interface, allowing it to work seamlessly with multiple mining pools for increased flexibility.

To provide you with peace of mind, Canaan offers a 360-day warranty on the AvalonMiner 1246. This warranty ensures that you can trust in the reliability and quality of your investment.

In the following sections of this maintenance guide, we will explore various aspects of the AvalonMiner 1246, including setup, operation, cleaning, and troubleshooting. By following the recommendations provided in this guide, you can ensure that your AvalonMiner 1246 continues to deliver top-notch performance and remains a valuable asset in your cryptocurrency mining endeavors.

Preparation and Maintenance Guidelines

Adhering to proper preparation and maintenance guidelines is critical for the longevity and optimal performance of your AvalonMiner 1246. To maximize the efficiency, effectiveness, and lifespan of your miner, it is essential to establish a suitable repair platform equipped with the necessary tools and equipment before commencing any maintenance or repair work.

A well-prepared workspace should include a clean, static-free environment to prevent damage to sensitive electronic components. Additionally, consider having an ESD wrist strap, a multimeter, a soldering iron, and precision screwdrivers readily available for any required repairs or adjustments.

Regular maintenance plays a crucial role in preventing issues like dust buildup, overheating, and other potential problems that may arise from normal wear and tear. It is highly recommended to follow a routine maintenance schedule and adhere to the recommended procedures detailed in the AvalonMiner 1246 Maintenance Guide. By doing so, you can ensure that your miner continues to operate efficiently, effectively, and reliably, maximizing its potential returns and extending its overall lifespan.

Preparation Requirements for Repair Platform, Tools, and Equipment

To ensure efficient and effective maintenance and repair of your AvalonMiner 1246, it is essential to prepare a well-equipped repair platform, gather the necessary tools, and have the required equipment at hand. The following is a comprehensive guide to help you set up an optimal repair environment:

  1. Repair Platform: Choose a clean, dry, and well-lit workbench or table with sufficient space to accommodate the miner and its components. Make sure you have access to a grounded power outlet and a reliable internet connection to test the miner after completing repairs.
  2. Tools: Assemble a set of essential tools, including screwdrivers, pliers, tweezers, a multimeter, a soldering iron, solder wire, flux, and a heat gun. Additionally, it is crucial to use an anti-static wrist strap to protect sensitive electronic components from electrostatic discharge. To be well-prepared for various repair scenarios, have spare parts such as fans, cables, hash boards, and power supply units readily available.
  3. Equipment: Equip yourself with a computer or laptop that has the AvalonMiner Controller software installed, which will aid in diagnosing and resolving issues with your miner. You will also need an ethernet cable to connect the miner to the controller. For a thorough inspection of hash boards, consider having a microscope or magnifying glass available to identify any damage or defects.

By ensuring that these items are prepared before commencing repair work, you can efficiently and effectively address any issues with your AvalonMiner 1246.

A well-prepared repair platform, complemented by an assortment of specialized tools and equipment, is crucial for the effective maintenance and repair of mining machinery. In addition to a clean, organized, and adequately lit workspace, it is essential to implement necessary safety measures such as fire extinguishers and personal protective equipment to minimize potential hazards. A comprehensive set of diagnostic and repair tools, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, soldering equipment, and hand tools, is indispensable for troubleshooting and repairing mining machinery with precision and accuracy.

Preventive Maintenance Tips for Canaan AvalonMiner 1246

To ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your Canaan AvalonMiner 1246, it is essential to follow preventive maintenance practices. Here is a comprehensive list of tips to help you maintain your AvalonMiner 1246 effectively:

  • Environment: Place the miner in a cool, dry environment with a temperature range of -5°C to 35°C and a humidity range of 5% to 95%. Keep the miner away from heat sources, direct sunlight, or water sources to prevent overheating or moisture-related damage.
  • Cleaning: Regularly remove dust and dirt from the miner using a soft brush, compressed air, or a vacuum cleaner. Avoid using water or any liquid to clean the miner, as it may cause damage to sensitive electronic components.
  • Component Inspection: Periodically inspect the power supply, cables, fans, and hash boards for signs of wear or malfunction. Replace any damaged or faulty parts with original ones from Canaan to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
  • Operation and Modifications: Adhere to the operating instructions and user manual to prevent errors or accidents. Refrain from overclocking, modifying, or disassembling the miner without authorization from Canaan, as doing so may void the warranty or cause damage to the device.
  • Software and Monitoring: Utilize the latest software and management platform provided by Canaan to monitor the miner’s conditions. This will enable you to adjust the fan speed and identify potential network attacks and vulnerabilities proactively.

By following these preventive maintenance tips, you can maximize the efficiency, effectiveness, and lifespan of your Canaan AvalonMiner 1246, ensuring a worthwhile investment in your cryptocurrency mining endeavours.

Restoring Factory Settings

Restoring the factory settings of your AvalonMiner 1246 can help resolve common issues or errors by resetting the miner’s configuration, network settings, and firmware to their default values. Follow these comprehensive steps to restore factory settings:

  1. Power Off: Turn off the miner and disconnect the power cable to ensure safety during the process.
  2. Reset Button: Locate the reset button on the back of the miner, near the ethernet port.
  3. Press and Hold: Press and hold the reset button for 5 seconds, then release it. This initiates the factory reset process.
  4. Power On: Reconnect the power cable and turn the miner back on.
  5. Automatic Reboot: Allow approximately 4 minutes for the miner to restore factory settings and reboot automatically. During this time, the miner will reset its configuration, network settings, and firmware to their default state.

Please note that restoring factory settings will result in the loss of any custom settings or data you have configured on your miner. It is recommended to back up your information before performing a factory reset. If you have any questions or require assistance, contact Canaan’s after-sales service for support.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively restore factory settings for your AvalonMiner 1246, resolving common issues and errors, and returning the device to its original state.

Firmware Updates

Batch Upgrades Using FMS

FMS, a software and management platform from Canaan, enables you to monitor and manage multiple AvalonMiners simultaneously. To use FMS for batch upgrades, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the latest version of FMS on your computer or laptop, available from Canaan’s website.
  2. Connect your AvalonMiners to the same network as your computer or laptop using an ethernet cable or a wireless router.
  3. Launch FMS and scan the network for your AvalonMiners. The FMS interface displays their IP addresses, hashrates, temperatures, fan speeds, and other information.
  4. Select the AvalonMiners you wish to upgrade and click the “Upgrade” button. You can choose to upgrade them individually or in batches.
  5. Choose the appropriate firmware file for the upgrade, downloadable from Canaan’s website. Ensure the firmware file matches your AvalonMiner model and version.
  6. Wait for the upgrade process to complete, which may take a few minutes depending on the number of AvalonMiners and the firmware file size.
  7. After the upgrade, check the status of your AvalonMiners on FMS or log in to their web interfaces to verify their firmware versions.

Monitoring Firmware Versions

Regularly monitoring your firmware versions is crucial to ensuring optimal and secure operation of your AvalonMiners. You can monitor firmware versions using FMS or by logging in to your AvalonMiners’ web interfaces:

  1. On FMS, view the firmware version of each AvalonMiner on the main interface. You can also sort them by firmware version or filter them by model and version.
  2. On the web interface, check the firmware version of your AvalonMiner on the status page. Additionally, review the release notes and changelog of each firmware version on Canaan’s website.
  3. If you discover that your firmware version is outdated or has issues, upgrade it using FMS or download the firmware file from Canaan’s website and manually flash it onto your AvalonMiner.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage firmware updates for your AvalonMiner 1246. Firmware updates are vital for enhancing the performance, efficiency, and security of your AvalonMiners.

LED Status Indicators

Understanding LED Status Sequences

The LED status indicator, located on the miner’s front next to the ethernet port, displays the miner’s working status through different colors and sequences.

LED colors and their meanings:

  • Green: The miner is working normally with no errors or issues.
  • Red: The miner has encountered an error or issue requiring attention, such as overheating, network failure, hash board failure, or firmware corruption.
  • Blue: The miner is booting up, upgrading firmware, or restoring factory settings.
  • Yellow: The miner is in idle mode and not mining.

LED sequences:

  • The LED indicator displays various color sequences to provide more detailed information about the miner’s status. For example:A green LED flashing once every two seconds indicates the miner is mining normally.
  • A red LED flashing twice every two seconds signals a network failure.
  • A blue LED flashing four times every two seconds signifies a firmware upgrade.

Troubleshooting Based on LED Status

When facing a problem with your AvalonMiner 1246, use the LED status indicator to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

  1. Identify the color and sequence of the LED status indicator, and consult Canaan’s website or user manual to understand its meaning. This information will help you determine the problem and the necessary steps to fix it.
  2. Example scenarios:
  • If the LED status indicator displays a red LED flashing once every two seconds, the miner is overheating. Check the miner’s temperature and environment to ensure they are within the recommended range, and verify the fan speed and airflow. You may need to lower the miner’s frequency or voltage, or move it to a cooler location.
  • If the LED status indicator shows a blue LED flashing once every two seconds, the miner is booting up. Wait a few minutes for the booting process to complete and the LED status indicator to turn green. If the booting process takes too long or fails, check your network connection or power supply, upgrade your firmware, or restore factory settings.

By understanding and utilizing LED status indicators for your AvalonMiner 1246, you can effectively monitor and manage your mining operations.

Overview of AvalonMiner 1246 Components

The AvalonMiner 1246 is a powerful and efficient Bitcoin ASIC miner that utilizes the SHA-256 algorithm to mine cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and others. Boasting a hashrate of 90 TH/s and a power consumption of 3420 W, the AvalonMiner 1246 is among the top miners in the market. This comprehensive overview examines the key components that make up the AvalonMiner 1246 and contribute to its mining capabilities.

  1. The chassis: Serving as a protective metal housing for the miner’s components, the chassis features an integrated design with the power supply and supports both vertical and horizontal placement. Its unique reinforcement design enhances stability and durability.
  2. The power supply: This essential component converts AC power from a wall outlet to DC power for the miner. With a rated output of 3420 W and a voltage range of 176-264 VAC, the power supply also offers overcurrent, overvoltage, and short circuit protection features.
  3. The hashboards: Containing the ASIC chips responsible for hashing operations, the AvalonMiner 1246 is equipped with three hash boards, each containing four modules. These modules house 24 ASIC chips each, totaling 288 ASIC chips per miner. Canaan’s A3200 technology, featuring built-in AI chip technology, powers the ASIC chips to optimize performance and efficiency.
  4. The fans: Providing necessary cooling and airflow, the AvalonMiner 1246 includes four fans, two on each side of the chassis. With a size of 12038 mm and a speed of up to 6000 RPM, these fans automatically adjust their speed according to the miner’s temperature.
  5. The controller: Acting as the central control and monitoring unit, the controller comes equipped with an ethernet port for network connection, a micro USB port for firmware upgrades or factory resets, and an LED status indicator to display the miner’s working status. Additionally, the controller features a web interface for configuring and managing the miner.

By understanding the essential components that comprise the AvalonMiner 1246, you gain insight into its high-performance and high-efficiency capabilities in mining cryptocurrencies.

AvalonMiner 1246 Hashboard Structure

The hash board is crucial to the AvalonMiner 1246’s mining capabilities, executing hashing operations for cryptocurrencies using the SHA-256 algorithm. This in-depth analysis explores the hash board’s structure and its importance in the miner’s performance.

The AvalonMiner 1246 consists of three hash boards, each housing 120 ASIC chips for a total of 360 chips per unit. These chips employ Canaan’s A3200 technology and integrate an AI chip to optimize performance and efficiency by analyzing hashrate fluctuations, adjusting fan speed, and detecting potential network attacks and vulnerabilities. The hash boards connect to the main control board through flat cables, which oversees miner control, monitoring, and network communication.

Heat dissipation and cooling are achieved by securing the hash boards to the chassis with screws and attaching heat sinks on both sides. Moreover, the chassis features four fans that ensure adequate cooling and airflow.

By understanding the AvalonMiner 1246’s hash board structure and function, you can appreciate the advanced technology and design contributing to its cryptocurrency mining prowess.

ASIC chips are organized into groups connected in series, with multiple chips connected in parallel within each group. These chips utilize four key signals—CK (Clock), C (Clock Transmit), R (Reset), and D (Data)—for communication and synchronization. The power supply circuit, which includes voltage regulators, capacitors, and other components, ensures stable and efficient power delivery to the ASIC chips and other hash board components. Multiple voltage rails—Vcore, VTOP, and VDDIO—supply power to different parts of the ASIC chips.

A communication interface connects the ASIC chips to the Management Module (MM) board, enabling streamlined management of network and mining pool configurations, and firmware updates, as well as monitoring and maintaining the overall device performance and status.

By examining the structure and significance of the AvalonMiner 1246’s hash board, it becomes clear how innovative technology and design contribute to the miner’s exceptional cryptocurrency mining capabilities. The integration of advanced ASIC chips, an efficient power supply circuit, and an effective communication interface all work together to optimize the AvalonMiner 1246’s mining performance. Additionally, the built-in AI chip and effective heat dissipation and cooling mechanisms further enhance the miner’s efficiency, reliability, and overall performance, making it a powerful tool for cryptocurrency mining.

The Signal Direction of 1246 Chips

The Avalon Miner 1246, part of the A12 series, features a hash board designed with 1246 ASIC chips. These chips are organized into groups that are connected in series, and each chip plays a crucial role in the overall operation of the mining hardware. Understanding the signal direction of these 1246 chips is vital for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair tasks.

In the Avalon Miner 1246 hash board, each ASIC chip has four key signals: CK (Clock), C (Clock Transmit), R (Reset), and D (Data). These signals are responsible for the proper functioning and communication between the chips and the entire system. Here’s an overview of each signal and its role in the signal transmission of the 1246 chips:

  1. CK (Clock): The CK signal serves as the working clock for the chip. It operates at a frequency of 25MHz, maintaining the timing for the chip’s operations and coordinating data processing. The CK signal is crucial to ensure that the ASIC chip can perform mining calculations efficiently and accurately.
  2. C (Clock Transmit): The C signal is responsible for transmitting the clock signal between chips. It operates at a frequency of 5MHz, and its primary purpose is to synchronize the operations and data processing of all chips in the system. This synchronization allows the Avalon Miner 1246 to function as a cohesive unit, maximizing its overall mining performance.
  3. R (Reset): The R (Reset) signal serves as a reset pin for the ASIC chip. This signal is used to initialize and reset the chip when necessary, ensuring that it operates correctly and reliably. The reset signal is essential for maintaining the stability of the mining hardware and preventing errors or malfunctions during operation.
  4. D (Data): The D signal is responsible for transmitting data between chips. This signal carries the mining data and any additional information required for processing. Proper transmission of the D signal ensures efficient communication between the ASIC chips, enabling the entire system to work together and produce the desired mining results.

The signal transmission direction of the 1246 chips is essential to understand when troubleshooting or repairing Avalon Miner 1246 hash boards. Each group of chips consists of multiple parallel ASIC chips, with the signals connected in series. The series connection allows for the smooth flow of information and coordination between the chips, optimizing the overall performance of the mining hardware.

Troubleshooting Common AvalonMiner 1246 Failures

The AvalonMiner 1246 is a high-performance cryptocurrency mining device, but it can occasionally experience issues that impact its efficiency and profitability. This comprehensive guide will help you troubleshoot common AvalonMiner 1246 failures and ensure optimal operation.

Hashing Boards Not Being Detected

This issue may arise if the hash boards are not properly connected to the main control board, power supply, or network. Follow these troubleshooting steps:

  1. Check the network cable connections to the miner and the router or switch.
  2. Ensure flat cables are securely connected between the hash boards and the main control board.
  3. Verify power cables are firmly attached to the hash boards and power supply.
  4. Restart the miner and inspect the web interface or FMS software for hash board detection.
  5. If the issue persists, swap hash boards or flat cables with working ones to identify faulty components.
  6. Contact D-Central for repair or replacement of faulty parts.

Low Hashrate

A low hashrate can result from overheating, overclocking, insufficient power, or faulty chips. To address this problem:

  1. Monitor temperature and fan speed via the web interface or FMS software, ensuring they are within normal ranges.
  2. Check the mining site’s ambient temperature and ventilation for appropriate conditions.
  3. Verify frequency and voltage levels are set according to Canaan’s recommendations.
  4. Ensure the power supply provides adequate power and is not overloaded or damaged.
  5. Examine ASIC status for each chip on FMS software, ensuring they are working and not marked as “X” or “E.”
  6. Adjust or replace any abnormal conditions or faulty components.
  7. Restore factory settings or upgrade firmware if necessary.

Fan Failure

Fan failure can occur if fans are blocked, damaged, or malfunctioning. To troubleshoot:

  1. Check for dust, debris, or foreign objects obstructing fans or airflow, cleaning if necessary.
  2. Inspect for noise, vibration, or abnormal movement from fans, replacing them if needed.
  3. Look for error messages or alerts on FMS software related to fan failure, following any provided instructions.
  4. Verify fan cables and connectors for damage or loose connections, fixing them if needed.
  5. Swap fans with working ones to identify faulty components.
  6. Contact Canaan’s after-sales service for repair or replacement of faulty fans.

Abnormal Temperature

Abnormal temperature may be due to underpowering, overclocking, overcooling, or faulty sensors. To resolve this issue:

  1. Check for error messages or alerts on FMS software regarding temperature abnormalities, following any instructions provided.
  2. Inspect temperature sensors and connectors for damage or loose connections, fixing if necessary.
  3. Examine heat sinks and airflow for dust, debris, or foreign objects, cleaning if needed.
  4. Look for noise, vibration, or abnormal movement from fans, replacing them if necessary.
  5. Check for damage or malfunction in the power supply, replacing if needed.
  6. Assess the mining site’s ambient temperature and ventilation, adjusting as necessary.
  7. Review frequency and voltage levels on FMS software, adjusting if needed.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively troubleshoot common AvalonMiner 1246 failures, improving your mining efficiency and profitability.

Conclusion

Overall, this guide has provided an in-depth look at how to troubleshoot AvalonMiner 1246 failures. By following these steps, you can effectively identify and address common issues like low hashrate, fan failure, and abnormal temperature. With proper maintenance of your miner, you’ll be able to increase its efficiency and profitability while continuing to enjoy the rewards of cryptocurrency mining. If all else fails or if a more serious issue arises with your miner that requires professional attention, contact Canaan’s after-sales service for assistance.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as any form of advice.

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