NerdAxe Complete Setup Guide — BM1366 Open-Source Solo Miner

What Is the NerdAxe?

The NerdAxe is where open-source Bitcoin mining gets real. Built around the BM1366 ASIC chip — the same 5nm silicon that powers Bitmain’s industrial-grade Antminer S19 XP — the NerdAxe delivers approximately 500 GH/s of SHA-256 hashrate while drawing a mere 12 watts. That is genuine ASIC mining performance from a device that runs on a 5V barrel jack and costs about a dollar a month in electricity.

If you own a NerdMiner, you already know the thrill of solo mining — watching hashes tick by, knowing that any one of them could unlock a full Bitcoin block reward. But the NerdMiner, running on an ESP32 microcontroller, hashes at roughly 55 KH/s. The NerdAxe runs a real BM1366 ASIC and hashes at ~500 GH/s. That is nearly 9 million times more hashpower. The NerdAxe is the bridge between educational mining and genuine ASIC mining — your first real step into hardware that can actually submit meaningful shares to the Bitcoin network.

The NerdAxe comes in two variants. The Full Kit is a complete, ready-to-mine package with the ASIC board, Lilygo NerdMiner color screen, heatsink, fan, and enclosure. The Expansion Kit is the ASIC board only, designed for existing NerdMiner owners who want to upgrade their screen and housing with real hashing power. Both run AxeOS — the same open-source firmware that powers the Bitaxe family — configurable through a clean web portal from any browser on your network.

D-Central Technologies has been embedded in the open-source mining ecosystem since day one. We are a pioneer in the Bitaxe ecosystem, creator of the original Bitaxe Mesh Stand, and one of the first companies to stock and support every variant of the NerdAxe, NerdMiner, NerdNOS, and NerdQAxe lineup. When you buy from D-Central, you are buying from Bitcoin Mining Hackers who know this hardware because we live it.

This guide covers everything: unboxing, assembly, WiFi configuration, pool setup, overclocking, and troubleshooting — for both kit variants. No prior mining experience required. Let’s get your NerdAxe hashing.

Technical Specifications

Before we get into the build, here is what you are working with. The NerdAxe packs real ASIC mining hardware into a compact, low-power, home-friendly package.

Choosing Your Kit — Expansion vs Full

The NerdAxe ships in two configurations, each targeting a different miner. Choosing the right one saves you money and gets you hashing faster.

If you already own a NerdMiner and want to upgrade from 55 KH/s to 500 GH/s without buying duplicate components, the Expansion Kit is the economical choice. You keep your existing NerdMiner screen and housing and slot in the NerdAxe ASIC board.

If you are new to the NerdMiner ecosystem or want a clean, all-in-one setup, the Full Kit gives you everything in one box. Unbox, plug in power, configure WiFi, and you are mining.

What’s in the Box

Full Kit Contents

When your NerdAxe Full Kit arrives from D-Central, here is what you should find inside:

• NerdAxe ASIC board — The main PCB with the BM1366 ASIC chip and ESP32 controller
• Lilygo NerdMiner color screen — Pre-connected display showing hashrate, temperature, and mining stats
• Heatsink — Aluminum heatsink for the BM1366 chip
• Cooling fan — Small fan for active thermal management
• Enclosure/housing — Protective case that holds all components together
• Thermal pad — For proper heat transfer between ASIC chip and heatsink

Expansion Kit Contents

The Expansion Kit is deliberately minimal:

• NerdAxe ASIC board — The BM1366 ASIC board designed to connect to your existing NerdMiner
• Heatsink + thermal pad — For the BM1366 chip
• Connection cable — To interface the ASIC board with your existing NerdMiner screen

If anything is missing or appears damaged during shipping, contact D-Central support immediately. We stand behind every unit we sell.

Before You Begin

Full Kit Prerequisites

Expansion Kit Prerequisites

A quick note on Bitcoin wallet addresses: You need a valid Bitcoin address to receive mining rewards. This should be an address you fully control — from a hardware wallet like a Coldcard or Trezor, or a self-custody software wallet like Sparrow, Electrum, or BlueWallet. Do not use an exchange deposit address for solo mining payouts. If you find a block, you want that 3.125 BTC reward in a wallet where you hold the keys. Not your keys, not your coins.

Full Kit Setup — Step by Step

The NerdAxe Full Kit is designed to go from box to mining in about 15 minutes. No soldering, no specialized tools, no command-line gymnastics. Just assembly, power, and configuration.

Step 1 — Unbox and Inspect

1. Open the package carefully and lay out all components on a clean, dry surface.
2. Verify all parts are present — ASIC board, Lilygo screen, heatsink, fan, enclosure, thermal pad. Refer to the Full Kit Contents section above.
3. Inspect the ASIC board for any visible damage — bent pins, cracked components, or loose solder joints. The BM1366 chip is the largest square component on the board.
4. Handle the board by its edges — avoid touching the ASIC chip surface or component pins directly. Static discharge can damage sensitive electronics.

Step 2 — Attach Heatsink and Fan

Proper thermal management is non-negotiable. The BM1366 is a 5nm ASIC chip running at high clock speeds — without a heatsink, it will throttle or shut down to protect itself.

1. Locate the BM1366 ASIC chip on the NerdAxe board — it is the largest square component, typically in the center of the PCB.
2. Prepare the thermal pad — Peel the protective film from both sides. The pad should be sized to cover the chip surface. If oversized, trim with scissors to match the chip dimensions.
3. Place the thermal pad directly on top of the ASIC chip. Center it carefully. The thermal pad fills microscopic gaps between the chip and heatsink for efficient heat transfer.
4. Press the heatsink down firmly and evenly onto the thermal pad. The heatsink should sit flush with no wobble. If it has mounting screws, tighten them in a cross pattern (opposite corners first) to distribute pressure evenly.
5. Connect the cooling fan — Plug the fan connector into the fan header on the ASIC board. Route the fan cable so it does not obstruct the heatsink airflow or sit near the ASIC chip.
6. Position the fan so it blows air across the heatsink fins, not away from them. Most fans have an airflow direction arrow on the housing.

Step 3 — Assemble the Enclosure

1. Connect the Lilygo NerdMiner screen to the NerdAxe board using the provided connector. The screen displays real-time hashrate, temperature, and mining status.
2. Seat the assembled board (with heatsink and fan) into the enclosure. Align the barrel jack port with the enclosure opening.
3. Close the enclosure according to the housing design — snap-fit, screws, or friction-fit depending on the revision.
4. Verify the fan has clearance — air intake and exhaust should not be blocked by the enclosure walls.

Step 4 — Connect Power

The NerdAxe draws power through its 5V 2.1mm barrel jack — this is the same barrel jack connector used by Bitaxe devices.

1. Plug the 2.1mm barrel connector from your 5V power supply into the NerdAxe’s barrel jack port.
2. Plug the power supply into a wall outlet or a power strip with surge protection.
3. The NerdAxe will power on immediately — there is no power button.

Step 5 — First Boot and WiFi Access Point

When power connects, the NerdAxe boots immediately. Here is what happens:

1. The fan spins up — you should hear a faint whir. This confirms power is reaching the board.
2. The Lilygo screen lights up (Full Kit), showing the AxeOS boot sequence and firmware version.
3. If no WiFi network is saved, AxeOS creates its own WiFi access point so you can configure it.

If the fan does not spin or the screen stays dark, disconnect power immediately and verify your power supply is 5V (not 12V) and that the barrel connector is fully seated.

Step 6 — Connect to AxeOS WiFi

1. On your phone, laptop, or tablet, open your WiFi settings.
2. Look for a network named “AxeOS” or “NerdAxe_XXXX” (where XXXX is a unique identifier).
3. Connect to this network. No password is required on initial setup (some firmware versions may use “password” or “12345678” as default — check AxeOS documentation if prompted).
4. Your device may show a “no internet” warning — this is normal. You are connected directly to the NerdAxe, not to the internet.

After connecting, open your web browser and navigate to the AxeOS configuration portal:

http://192.168.4.1

This is the default IP address the NerdAxe assigns itself in access point mode. The AxeOS dashboard should load, showing the main configuration interface.

Step 7 — Configure Your WiFi Network

1. In the AxeOS dashboard, navigate to the WiFi / Network settings section.
2. Enter your WiFi network name (SSID) exactly as it appears — this is case-sensitive.
3. Enter your WiFi password.
4. Click Save and the NerdAxe will reboot.

After rebooting, the NerdAxe connects to your home WiFi network and stops broadcasting its own access point. To access the AxeOS dashboard from this point, you need to find the NerdAxe’s IP address on your home network:

• Check your router’s admin page — Look for a device named “AxeOS,” “NerdAxe,” or “ESP32” in the connected devices list.
• Try the mDNS hostname — Some firmware versions support mDNS. Try navigating to:

http://nerdaxe.local

• Use a network scanner — Apps like Fing (iOS/Android) or Advanced IP Scanner (Windows) will show all devices on your network.

Once you have the IP address, bookmark it. You will use it regularly to check on your miner.

Step 8 — Configure Mining Pool

With the NerdAxe on your home network, navigate to the AxeOS dashboard and set up your mining pool. See the Pool Configuration section below for detailed pool settings.

Step 9 — Start Mining

After saving your pool configuration and Bitcoin address, the NerdAxe reboots and begins mining automatically. The Lilygo screen (Full Kit) will show your live hashrate, temperature, and share count. Within a few minutes, you should see shares being accepted on both the AxeOS dashboard and your pool’s web dashboard.

Congratulations — your NerdAxe is now contributing real ASIC hashrate to the Bitcoin network. Every hash counts.

Expansion Kit Setup — Step by Step

The Expansion Kit is for miners who already own a NerdMiner and want to upgrade to real ASIC power. This involves connecting the NerdAxe board to your existing NerdMiner hardware and flashing AxeOS firmware.

Step 1 — Prepare Your Existing NerdMiner

1. Power off your NerdMiner by disconnecting its power source.
2. Open the NerdMiner housing and carefully remove the Lilygo T-Display board.
3. Note the current firmware — if you are running NerdMiner firmware, you will need to flash AxeOS. If the NerdMiner was already running AxeOS, you can skip the firmware step.

Step 2 — Connect the NerdAxe ASIC Board

1. Unpack the NerdAxe Expansion Kit — you should have the ASIC board, heatsink, thermal pad, and connection cable.
2. Attach the heatsink to the BM1366 chip using the thermal pad, following the same process described in Step 2 of the Full Kit setup.
3. Connect the NerdAxe board to the Lilygo T-Display using the provided connection cable. Match the connector orientation — it should seat firmly without forcing.
4. Reassemble into the housing — the NerdAxe board adds height, so verify everything fits. Some NerdMiner housings may need modification to accommodate the additional ASIC board.

Step 3 — Flash AxeOS Firmware

If your NerdMiner is currently running NerdMiner firmware (not AxeOS), you need to flash AxeOS to control the BM1366 ASIC chip. The NerdMiner firmware does not know how to drive the ASIC hardware.

1. Connect the Lilygo board to your computer via USB cable.
2. Open Chrome or Edge — you need a browser that supports WebSerial for web-based flashing.
3. Navigate to the AxeOS web flasher — check the NerdAxe or ESP-Miner project page for the current flash tool URL.
4. Select the correct firmware build for the NerdAxe (BM1366 variant). Do not flash a Bitaxe Supra or Gamma firmware — those are for different hardware.
5. Click Connect, select the serial port for your Lilygo device, and flash the firmware.
6. Wait for the flash to complete — do not disconnect the USB cable during flashing. The process typically takes 1–2 minutes.
7. Disconnect USB after flashing is confirmed successful.

Step 4 — Power On and Configure

1. Connect your 5V / 6A power supply to the NerdAxe’s barrel jack.
2. The NerdAxe boots into AxeOS and creates a WiFi access point.
3. Follow Steps 6 through 9 from the Full Kit setup to configure WiFi, set up your pool, enter your Bitcoin address, and start mining.

The Expansion Kit mining experience is identical to the Full Kit once AxeOS is running. Same firmware, same dashboard, same 500 GH/s of ASIC hashpower.

Pool Configuration

The NerdAxe communicates with a mining pool using the Stratum protocol. Even for solo mining, you connect to a pool server that handles communication with the Bitcoin network on your behalf. Here are the recommended pools for NerdAxe miners.

Solo Mining Pools (Recommended)

Solo mining is the natural choice for the NerdAxe. Your ~500 GH/s is a tiny fraction of the network hashrate, so pooled mining payouts would be measured in fractions of satoshis per day. Solo mining gives you a real shot — however small — at the full 3.125 BTC block reward. Every hash is a lottery ticket.

Pool Mining Options

If you prefer steady (tiny) payouts over the solo lottery approach, these pools accept NerdAxe-level hashrate:

Entering Pool Settings in AxeOS

In the AxeOS dashboard, navigate to the Mining / Stratum configuration section. Enter the pool URL, port, and your worker name (Bitcoin address for solo pools). Some AxeOS versions use separate fields for URL and port; others want the full Stratum address in a single field. Enter accordingly.

For the Worker Name / Username field in solo mining, paste your Bitcoin wallet address. Use a bc1 (native SegWit) address for the lowest transaction fees. You can append a worker identifier: bc1qyouraddresshere.mynerdaxe — this helps identify the device on pool dashboards if you run multiple miners.

Double-check the address character by character. Click Save and the NerdAxe will reboot and start mining.

Monitoring via AxeOS Dashboard

Once your NerdAxe is mining, the AxeOS dashboard is your control center. Access it anytime by navigating to the NerdAxe’s IP address in your browser.

Key Dashboard Metrics

• Hashrate — Displayed in GH/s. At stock settings, expect ~500 GH/s. Natural fluctuations are normal — judge by the 10–30 minute average, not second-to-second readings.
• Temperature — ASIC chip temperature in Celsius. Keep below 65 °C for long-term reliability.
• Fan Speed — RPM or percentage. Adjusts automatically based on temperature.
• Shares Accepted — Valid shares submitted to the pool. Should be steadily increasing.
• Shares Rejected — Shares the pool rejected (stale or hardware errors). Under 2% rejection rate is normal.
• Best Difficulty — The highest-difficulty share your NerdAxe has found. Your personal record — your closest brush with finding a block.
• Uptime — Time since last reboot. Longer uptime equals more stable operation.
• Core Voltage & Frequency — Confirms your current clock and voltage settings.
• Power Consumption — Estimated wattage. At ~12W, your monthly electricity cost is roughly $1.00–$1.75.

Lilygo Screen Display (Full Kit)

If you have the Full Kit, the Lilygo NerdMiner color screen provides at-a-glance mining stats without opening a browser. The display typically shows hashrate, temperature, shares found, and connection status. This is particularly satisfying as a desk display — watching real ASIC hashrate tick by in real time.

Remote Monitoring via Pool Dashboard

You can check your NerdAxe’s status from anywhere — not just your home network — by visiting your pool’s web dashboard. For Public Pool:

https://web.public-pool.io/#/app/bc1q...youraddress

Replace bc1q…youraddress with your actual Bitcoin address. The dashboard shows connected workers, total hashrate, share history, and best difficulty shares found. No login required — your Bitcoin address is your identifier.

Overclocking & Tuning

The NerdAxe is fully capable at stock settings, but the open-source spirit of this hardware means you have complete control over performance parameters. Overclocking increases your hashrate — more lottery tickets per second — at the cost of higher power consumption and heat.

Understanding Frequency and Voltage

Two settings control the NerdAxe’s performance:

• Core Frequency (MHz) — Clock speed of the BM1366 ASIC. Higher frequency means more hashes per second but more heat and power draw. Stock is typically around 485–500 MHz.
• Core Voltage (mV) — Electrical potential supplied to the ASIC core. Higher voltage provides stability at higher frequencies but increases power and heat. Stock is typically around 1150–1200 mV.

These settings are interdependent. Increasing frequency without increasing voltage eventually causes errors and crashes. Think of voltage as the foundation — you need a stronger foundation to build higher.

Safe Overclocking Steps

1. Run stock for 30+ minutes — Establish your baseline hashrate, power draw, and temperature. Write these numbers down.
2. Increase frequency by 25 MHz — In the AxeOS tuning section, bump from (e.g.) 500 MHz to 525 MHz. Save and reboot.
3. Monitor for 15–30 minutes — Watch hashrate stability, temperature, and rejected share rate. If the hashrate is stable, temp is under 65 °C, and rejections are below 2%, the overclock is stable.
4. Repeat with another 25 MHz — Continue stepping up until you see instability: crashes, rejected shares, temps above 70 °C, or declining hashrate (thermal throttling).
5. If unstable, increase voltage by 10–20 mV — This gives the ASIC more electrical headroom at the higher frequency.
6. Find your sweet spot — The ideal overclock runs stably 24/7 with acceptable temps. Most NerdAxe units land in the 525–600 MHz range, yielding 525–625 GH/s.
7. Back off one step — Once you find the stability edge, drop frequency 25 MHz for a safety margin against ambient temperature changes.

Temperature Ranges

Remember that ambient room temperature directly impacts your NerdAxe temps. A stable overclock in winter might overheat in a warm summer room. Set your overclock for the warmest conditions you expect.

Troubleshooting

Most NerdAxe issues have straightforward solutions. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

WiFi Connection Issues

Symptoms: The NerdAxe keeps broadcasting its own access point, or drops WiFi connection frequently.

Solutions:

1. Verify SSID and password — Reconnect to the NerdAxe’s AP (192.168.4.1) and check saved WiFi credentials. SSIDs are case-sensitive.
2. Confirm 2.4 GHz — The NerdAxe does not support 5 GHz WiFi. Disable band steering or create a dedicated 2.4 GHz SSID.
3. Check special characters — Characters like ‘ ” & # $ in your SSID or password can cause issues. Try a simpler password temporarily.
4. Move closer to the router during initial setup, then relocate to the permanent position.
5. Check router client limits — Ensure you have not hit the maximum connected device cap.
6. Factory reset — Reset AxeOS to defaults via the web interface or by holding the boot button during power-on (check AxeOS documentation for your firmware version).

No Hashrate or Zero Hash

Symptoms: The AxeOS dashboard shows 0 GH/s or the hashrate never starts.

Solutions:

1. Verify power supply — The BM1366 needs adequate amperage. If using a weak PSU (under 4A), the ASIC chip may not initialize. Use a 5V / 6A supply.
2. Check heatsink contact — A poorly seated heatsink can cause the ASIC to overheat instantly on boot and shut down before reaching stable hashrate.
3. Verify firmware — If you are using the Expansion Kit, ensure you flashed the correct AxeOS build for the BM1366. Wrong firmware will not drive the ASIC.
4. Check the fan — If the fan is not spinning, the ASIC may be thermally throttling to zero. Verify the fan connector is plugged in.
5. Power cycle — Unplug the barrel jack, wait 10 seconds, reconnect. Some boot issues resolve with a clean restart.
6. Update firmware — Older AxeOS versions may have initialization bugs. Flash the latest release from the project’s GitHub.

High Temperature

Symptoms: ASIC temperature consistently above 65 °C or spiking above 70 °C.

Solutions:

1. Check heatsink contact — Remove the heatsink and verify the thermal pad makes full, even contact with the ASIC chip. Replace the thermal pad if shifted or degraded.
2. Improve airflow — Move the NerdAxe to a more open location. Avoid enclosed shelves or cabinets. Point a desk fan at it if needed.
3. Reduce ambient temperature — Air conditioning, moving away from heat sources, or relocating to a cooler room.
4. Reduce overclock — Lower core frequency by 25–50 MHz. This is the most effective immediate fix.
5. Check the fan — Ensure it is spinning and not obstructed. If the fan motor has failed, contact D-Central for replacement options.

Firmware Issues

Symptoms: NerdAxe boots but behaves erratically, shows corrupted dashboard, or will not flash new firmware.

Solutions:

1. Full firmware erase and reflash — Use the web-based ESP flasher tool to perform a complete erase before flashing. This clears any corrupted settings.
2. Try a different USB cable (Expansion Kit) — Some USB cables are charge-only and do not carry data. Use a cable that supports data transfer.
3. Try a different USB port — Front panel USB ports sometimes have issues. Use a rear motherboard port directly.
4. Install serial drivers — If your computer does not detect the Lilygo board, you may need to install CH340 or CP210x USB-to-serial drivers.
5. Check browser compatibility — WebSerial flashing requires Chrome or Edge. Firefox and Safari do not support WebSerial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Upgrade Path — Where to Go from Here

The NerdAxe is a powerful entry point into real ASIC solo mining, but the open-source mining ecosystem goes much further. Here is the natural upgrade path as your mining ambitions grow:

Each step up multiplies your lottery tickets. The setup process is essentially the same for all of these devices — AxeOS firmware, web dashboard, Stratum pool configuration. What you learn setting up your NerdAxe applies directly to every open-source miner in the lineup.

And if you want to go beyond open-source solo miners into serious hashrate, D-Central’s Bitcoin Space Heaters convert full-size ASIC power into room heating — mining and comfort combined. Or browse the full open-source miner catalog to find your next device.

Next Steps

Your NerdAxe is online and hashing. You have crossed the threshold from educational mining to genuine ASIC participation in the Bitcoin network. Here is where to go from here:

• Join the community — The NerdAxe and Bitaxe community is active on Twitter/X, Discord, and Reddit. Share your setup, compare best difficulty scores, and celebrate block wins. Follow @DCentralTech on X for news and product launches.
• Experiment with overclocking — Now that your NerdAxe is stable at stock, revisit the Overclocking section to push for more hashrate.
• Keep firmware updated — Follow the AxeOS project on GitHub for new releases. Firmware updates bring performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features.
• Scale your fleet — One NerdAxe often leads to several. More devices means more hashrate, more lottery tickets, more decentralization. Each runs independently on your network.
• Explore the lineup — Check out the Bitaxe Gamma and Bitaxe GT for higher hashrate, or the NerdQAxe for quad-chip power.
• Read the Bitaxe Hub — D-Central’s Bitaxe Hub is the definitive resource for all things open-source mining — model comparisons, guides, firmware tutorials, and community block win tracking.
• Consider a Space Heater — D-Central’s Bitcoin Space Heaters combine full-size ASIC hashrate with home heating. Mining and warmth in one unit.

Solo mining is a long game. Your NerdAxe — running a real BM1366 ASIC chip at 500 GH/s — is computing SHA-256 hashes around the clock. Each one is a ticket in the Bitcoin block reward lottery. Most days will pass quietly. But one day, your little NerdAxe might find the hash that unlocks a full block reward. Until then, you are part of something bigger: a global network of individuals running their own miners, keeping Bitcoin decentralized, and proving that you do not need a data center to participate in securing the most important monetary network ever built.

Every hash counts. Happy hashing.

— The D-Central Technologies Team
Bitcoin Mining Hackers since 2016