Innosilicon T1 Maintenance & Repair Guide

The Innosilicon T1 Miner is a top-performing, energy-efficient ASIC miner designed for Bitcoin mining, boasting an impressive 16 TH/s hash rate while consuming just 1480 W of power. However, as with any mining equipment, it may experience issues during operation that require maintenance or repair. D-Central’s Maintenance Guide aims to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to troubleshoot and resolve common T1 Miner problems, ensuring optimum performance and longevity.

The T1 Miner comprises four hashboards, each containing 63 ASIC chips, connected to a control board for communication and power supply management. Two fans provide cooling and ventilation for the miner. The hashboards, as the core components, perform the hashing algorithm necessary to generate valid blocks and earn rewards. Thus, maintaining their functionality is crucial.

The Innosilicon T1 Maintenance Guide is designed to deliver comprehensive information and step-by-step instructions for maintaining, repairing, and optimizing the T1 Miner’s performance. We aim to help users extend their miner’s lifespan, guarantee stable operation, and minimize hardware-related downtime.

Connecting the Innosilicon T1 to the Network and Controller

The Innosilicon T1 Miner, also known as DragonMint T1 or DragonMint 16T, is a powerful SHA-256 ASIC miner capable of producing up to 16 TH/s hash rate while consuming 1480 W of power. To fully utilize this miner, it must be connected to a network and a controller for configuration and performance monitoring. This guide outlines the two-step process for network configuration and miner controller setup.

Network Configuration

1. Connect the T1 Miner to a network using an Ethernet cable, ensuring it has internet access and can communicate with other devices. The network should have a router or switch capable of assigning an IP address to the miner, either static or dynamic (DHCP), depending on your network settings.
2. Insert one end of the Ethernet cable into the miner’s Ethernet port and the other end into an available port on your router or switch.
3. Power on the miner by connecting the power cord and turning on the switch located on the miner’s back.
4. Allow approximately 5 minutes for the miner to boot up and obtain an IP address from the network.
5. Identify the miner’s IP address using a network scanner tool, a serial port tool, or by accessing the default IP address (192.168.1.254) via a web browser.
6. Utilize the IP address to access the miner’s web interface and configure its settings.

Miner Controller Setup

1. Set up a miner controller to manage and monitor your T1 Miner using either the built-in web interface or third-party software tools like Mother of Dragons.
2. Access the web interface through a web browser by entering the miner’s IP address. Through the web interface, you can modify network settings, mining pool settings, fan speed, and temperature settings, as well as check the status of each hash board, chip, and other statistics.
3. Alternatively, use third-party software tools like Mother of Dragons, a Python script that automatically detects new miners on your network and configures them according to your preferences. These tools also enable you to change settings, monitor miner status and statistics, and manage firmware updates, reboots, or resets.

In summary, connecting the Innosilicon T1 Miner to the network and controller involves:

1. Connecting the miner to a suitable power source and network with a stable internet connection.
2. Accessing the miner’s web-based interface or using third-party software tools to configure mining pool information and other settings.
3. Ensuring proper cooling and safety precautions are followed to maintain optimal performance and prevent overheating.
4. Monitoring the miner’s performance, hash rate, and other vital statistics through the web interface or mining pool dashboard.

Operating Innosilicon T1

To power on the Innosilicon T1 Miner, follow these steps:

1. Connect the miner to a suitable power supply unit (PSU), such as a 1600W unit with 10 6-pin PCIe connectors.
2. Connect the miner to a network cable with internet access.
3. Press the power button on the control board to turn on the miner. It will automatically start mining and join the configured pool in the web interface.

To power off the miner safely:

1. Press the power button on the control board or use the web interface to remotely power off the miner.
2. Wait for the miner to shut down safely. Do not unplug the power cable directly, as this may damage the miner or cause data loss.

Monitoring Performance and Troubleshooting

Monitor the Innosilicon T1 Miner’s performance and status through the web interface or software like ASIC Hub. Access the web interface by entering the miner’s IP address in a browser. Check the hash rate, temperature, fan speed, hardware errors, firmware version, pool settings, network settings, and system logs. Adjust settings or upgrade the firmware as needed.

ASIC Hub is the software compatible with Linux, Mac, Raspberry Pi, or Windows machines. It allows remote monitoring and managing multiple Innosilicon ASICs through the minerstat dashboard. With ASIC Hub, you can change pool settings, overclock or underclock the miner, reboot or reset the miner, and check the status and statistics.

If you encounter issues with the Innosilicon T1, such as low hash rate, broken chain, high temperature, or hardware errors, refer to the Innosilicon T1 Hash Board Repair User Manual for troubleshooting and maintenance guidance. The manual provides detailed instructions on using various tools and software to test, diagnose, and repair the hash board of the Innosilicon T1. Additionally, you can contact D-Central’s customer service for technical support or warranty service.

By properly powering on and off the miner, monitoring its performance, and promptly addressing any issues, you can ensure that your Innosilicon T1 Miner operates efficiently and maintains a consistent hash rate. Proper maintenance and troubleshooting will help prolong the miner’s lifespan and maximize your mining rewards.

Safety Precautions

When working with electronic devices and components, such as ASIC miners like the Innosilicon T1, it is crucial to follow safety precautions to prevent injury, damage, or loss. Observe the following safety measures to ensure a safe working environment:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear appropriate PPE, such as safety glasses and gloves, to protect against potential hazards. Use an anti-static wrist strap or other ESD-safe clothing when handling sensitive electronic components to prevent electrostatic discharge.

Proper Handling of Components

Handle all components, including the hashboard and chips, with care to avoid damage. Never touch the miner or its components with wet hands or in damp conditions. Hold components by their edges, avoiding contact with connector pins and other sensitive areas.

ESD Protection

Work in an ESD-safe environment, using ESD-safe tools and surfaces. Use anti-static bags and containers to store and transport electronic components. Keep your work area clean and free of any materials that can generate static electricity, such as plastic bags and foam packaging.

Proper Ventilation and Workspace

Ensure your work area is well-ventilated and free from dust, dirt, and debris to prevent overheating and contamination of the miner and its components. Maintain a comfortable and safe temperature in your workspace to protect both the equipment and yourself. Keep your workspace organized, with all necessary tools and equipment easily accessible and ready for use.

By following these safety precautions, you can minimize the risk of injury, damage to the miner, and potential downtime, ensuring a safe and efficient maintenance process for your Innosilicon T1 miner.

Preparation and Maintenance Guidelines

When repairing the hash board of an Innosilicon T1 miner, it’s essential to prepare the necessary tools, equipment, and software, as well as set up the test environment and connect the miner to a computer. Follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth maintenance process:

Preparation Requirements for Repair Platform, Tools, and Equipment

• Create a clean, ESD-safe workspace with adequate lighting and ventilation.
• Gather all necessary tools and equipment, including a serial board, data cable, TF card, jumper cap, oscilloscope, and multimeter.
• Use a sturdy, flat surface for the repair platform, preferably an ESD-safe mat or workstation.
• Keep all components and tools organized for easy access during the maintenance process.

Software Requirements: Normal.bin and repair.bin

• Download and install the Normal.bin and repair.bin software files required for testing and repairing the hashboard.
• Familiarize yourself with the software functionalities and user interface to ensure proper usage during the maintenance process.
• Ensure the software is up-to-date and compatible with your Innosilicon T1 miner’s firmware.

Test Environment Setup and Connection to Computer

• Set up a test environment for the hashboard, providing sufficient space for disassembly, testing, and reassembly.
• Connect the control board to your computer using the appropriate data cable and serial board.
• Ensure the TF card is inserted correctly and has the necessary software files loaded.
• Use the jumper cap to enable the test mode on the control board if required.
• Set up the oscilloscope and multimeter for measuring signals and voltages during testing.

By following these preparation and maintenance guidelines, you can ensure a smooth and efficient process for maintaining and repairing your Innosilicon T1 miner. Proper preparation will not only save time but also minimize the risk of further damage to the miner during the maintenance process.

Tools and Equipment

When repairing electronic devices and components like ASIC miners and hash boards, it’s essential to have the right tools and equipment. Some common tools you may need include a soldering iron for attaching and detaching electronic components, a multimeter for measuring electrical properties, and an oscilloscope for visualizing electrical signals. Additionally, you’ll need flux and solder wire for soldering, thermal adhesive for attaching heat sinks, screwdrivers and pliers for assembly and disassembly, test fixtures and DEBUG connections for testing and debugging, and a serial board, data cable, TF card, and jumper cap for connecting your miner to a computer and running maintenance software. Equipped with these tools and equipment, you can efficiently and effectively maintain and repair your Innosilicon T1 miner, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

Hashboard Layout and Test Points

The Innosilicon T1 hash board is the core component that houses ASIC chips responsible for mining cryptocurrencies. The hash board has a specific layout and test points that aid in identifying and troubleshooting issues. It features a rectangular shape with two rows of chips on each side, totaling 63 chips, and a control board connecting to the power supply and network cable. The board operates on 34 voltage domains, with an average voltage range of 0.40 – 0.43V, essential for optimal performance and stability. Test points on the hash board allow for measuring signals and voltages during maintenance and troubleshooting, with each point labeled to identify the specific signal or voltage.

To measure these signals and voltages, use an oscilloscope and multimeter, following the manufacturer’s guidelines and hash board diagram. Oscilloscopes visualize and analyze time-varying signals at test points, while multimeters measure voltage, current, or resistance values. By using these tools, you can diagnose and address any issues with the hash board effectively.

Positioning Error

Positioning error refers to the process of identifying and locating faulty chips or components on a hash board that may cause problems such as broken chains, low hash rates, or hardware errors. Identifying positioning errors can help determine the cause and location of the problem for appropriate fixes. The process involves the following steps:

Using Normal Software for Hash Board Testing and Error Identification

Normal software (Normal.bin) tests the hash board’s function, prints out test results, and identifies errors or abnormalities. To use it, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for loading the software onto the control board, powering on the miner, and running the test to check the hash board’s performance.

Interpreting Test Results and Locating Faulty Chips or Components

Analyze the test results from the Normal software to identify issues such as faulty ASIC chips, power supply problems, or damaged components. Consult the hash board diagram and test point information to pinpoint the location of the faulty chips or components. You may use an oscilloscope or a multimeter to measure signals or voltages and compare them with normal waveforms or values.

Using Repair Software to Fix Errors or Reset Chips

Repair software (repair.bin) is designed to help fix errors identified by the Normal software or reset malfunctioning chips. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to load the Repair software onto the control board, power on the miner, and run the repair process to address the identified issues. After the repair process, run the Normal software test again to ensure the errors have been resolved and the hash board is functioning correctly.

Routine Maintenance Process

Routine maintenance is essential for checking, testing, repairing, and improving the hash board of Innosilicon T1 miners. This process helps prevent issues such as broken chains, low hash rates, or hardware errors, and extends the lifespan and performance of the hash board. The routine maintenance process includes the following steps:

Visual Inspection

Regularly examine the hash board and its components for visible signs of damage, wear, or dirt, such as cracks, burns, corrosion, loose or missing screws or wires, or dust. Clean, repair, or replace affected parts as needed.

Impedance Testing

Measure the resistance or continuity of the hash board’s circuits with a multimeter to check for short or open circuits that may affect functionality or performance. Identify and fix any abnormal impedance values.

Voltage Domain Testing

Measure the voltage of each voltage domain on the hash board with a multimeter, and compare it with the normal voltage range (0.40 – 0.43V). Adjust or replace the voltage regulator module (VRM) if abnormal values are found.

Chip Detection with DEBUG Connection

Connect the hash board to a test fixture and computer with a DEBUG cable and run software to detect and communicate with each chip on the board. Check for any missing or faulty chips that may cause problems and re-solder or replace them as necessary.

Faulty Chip Identification and Re-soldering

Identify and fix malfunctioning chips on the hash board by measuring and comparing their signals with an oscilloscope or using normal or repair software to test and adjust their frequency or voltage. Re-solder faulty chips and attach heat sinks with thermal adhesive to prevent overheating.

Board Testing and Cooling

Test the hash board after repairing it and ensure it cools down before reassembling it into the miner. Use normal software to check for any errors or abnormalities in function or performance, and measure chip temperatures to ensure they are within the normal range (60 – 80°C). Repeat previous steps if necessary, or let the hash board cool down before reassembling if everything is normal.

Record Keeping and Feedback

Keep track of the maintenance process details, such as date and time, hash board serial number and model, problems and solutions, tools and equipment used, test results and data, and feedback and suggestions for improvement. Share these records with colleagues or supervisors for feedback and improvement.

Miner Assembly and Aging

Reassemble the miner, reconnect cables, and reinstall the hash board. Power on the miner, check its status and performance, and run it for at least 24 hours to test its stability and reliability. Address any errors or abnormalities during the aging process and fix them if necessary. Regularly repeat the maintenance process to keep the hash board in good condition and extend its lifespan and performance.

Common Failure Types

Impedance and voltage domain imbalances, lack of chips, broken chains, non-operation, low hash rates, and specific chip failures are common issues that can affect the performance and functionality of Innosilicon T1 hash boards. These problems can arise from factors such as manufacturing defects, improper operation, environmental conditions, or aging. Proper maintenance and repair can help resolve these issues and ensure optimal miner performance.

Impedance Imbalance and Voltage Domain Imbalance

Impedance imbalance and voltage domain imbalance can lead to instability and reduced performance. Causes may include poor soldering, damaged components, manufacturing defects, faulty voltage regulators, and dirty or corroded components. To repair these issues, measure the impedance or voltage levels, identify the source of the problem, and take corrective actions like re-soldering, adjusting voltage regulators, or replacing components.

Lack of Chips and Broken Chain

Missing or malfunctioning chips can result in reduced hash rates, broken chains, or other performance issues. Similarly, broken chains occur when a connection between chips is severed or compromised, leading to performance issues. Repair involves identifying and replacing the faulty chips or fixing the broken connection through soldering or component replacement.

Non-operation and Low Hash Rate

Non-operation occurs when the hash board or miner is not functioning at all, potentially caused by power supply problems, component failures, or software errors. Low hash rate issues may arise from damaged chips, poor soldering, incorrect chip frequency, or high temperatures. Diagnosing and fixing the root cause is necessary to address these issues.

Specific Chip Failure

A specific chip failure can cause low hash rates, hardware errors, or broken chains. Causes may include damaged chips, poor soldering, or incorrect chip frequency. Repair involves identifying the problematic chip and re-soldering, replacing, or resetting it as necessary.

Miner Assembly and Aging

After addressing the issues affecting the hash board, it is essential to reassemble the miner and test its stability and reliability over time. This process involves reconnecting the power and network cables, reinstalling the hash board, and powering on the miner. Monitor the miner’s status and performance through the web interface or mining pool for at least 24 hours. Address any errors or abnormalities that arise during this period.

Regular maintenance and inspection of the hash board are crucial to ensure its optimal performance and longevity. By addressing any impedance or voltage imbalances, chip issues, broken chains, non-operation, low hash rates, and specific chip failures, you can maintain your miner’s efficiency and extend its lifespan. Remember to clean the board and components and improve the cooling system as needed to prevent future issues.

Maintenance Methods

Hash board maintenance methods for Innosilicon T1 are essential for addressing issues and ensuring optimal functionality and performance. Here are common maintenance methods for resolving problems and restoring the hash board’s performance:

Removal and Replacement of Faulty Chips or Components

To remove and replace faulty chips or components, follow these steps:

1. Identify the faulty chips or components using diagnostic tools like software, oscilloscope, or multimeter.
2. Carefully desolder the faulty components using a soldering iron and proper soldering techniques.
3. Clean the area where the faulty component was removed, ensuring there is no residual solder or debris.
4. Align the new component correctly and solder it into place, following proper soldering practices.
5. Test the hash board again to ensure the issue has been resolved and the replaced components are functioning correctly.

Cleaning and Reapplication of Thermal Paste or Adhesive

To clean and reapply thermal paste or adhesive, follow these steps:

1. Remove the hash board from the miner and disassemble the cooling solution (e.g., heatsinks) if necessary.
2. Clean the surface of the chips and the cooling solution with isopropyl alcohol or an appropriate cleaning solution, removing old thermal paste or adhesive.
3. Apply a thin layer of fresh thermal paste or adhesive to the chips, following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific product.
4. Reattach the cooling solution to the hash board, ensuring proper contact between the chips and the heatsinks for effective heat transfer.

Reassembly and Reinstallation of Hash Board

Once all repairs, cleaning, and maintenance have been completed, follow these steps for reassembly and reinstallation:

1. Carefully reassemble the hash board and cooling solution, ensuring all connections are secure and proper contact is maintained.
2. Reinstall the hash board into the miner, connecting all necessary cables and components.
3. Power on the miner and monitor its performance to ensure the repairs and maintenance have been successful and the miner is functioning optimally.

Regularly applying these maintenance methods can help extend the lifespan and performance of your Innosilicon T1 hash board, ensuring it remains efficient and reliable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining and repairing the hash board of your Innosilicon T1 miner is essential for optimal performance. The key steps are to identify faulty chips or components and replace them with proper soldering techniques, clean and reapply thermal paste or adhesive, and reassemble and reinstall the hash board after repairs. If you encounter any issues during maintenance or repair, don’t hesitate to contact experienced technicians like those at D-Central, who can provide comprehensive support for ASIC mining equipment. With our help, you’ll gain a better understanding of how to properly maintain your miners so that they remain efficient and reliable in the long run.