#Bitcoin #Mining hashboard repairs have advanced significantly over the past decade. Today, most repair shops can handle both simple tasks like fan or control board replacements and complex ones like replacing ASIC chips. The most challenging part remains the initial diagnostics, which require specialized tools.
Previously, technicians relied on basic chip polling tests to detect signal issues. Now, tools like the #STASIC hashboard tester can perform simulation hash tests, eliminating the need to test in the miner after an initial polling test.
While testers such as the Arc, PicoBT, and generic ones perform basic polling tests, using a variety of tools is beneficial as they can yield different results. Our goal is to save time on repairs. With a tester capable of performing simulation hash tests, we save 10-20 minutes per board compared to loading it into a miner.
Using the #STASIC hashboard tester and a proper lab PSU, we diagnose #Antminer S21 hashboards as follows:
- START TEST (Chip Polling - Signal Test) ~ (10-18 amp)
- TEMP TEST (Temperature Sensor Test) ~ (10-18 amp)
- TEST READY CHIP (Initialization ASIC Chip Test) ~ (15-18 amp)
- HASH TEST (Short-term Hash Mining Test) ~ (30-85 amp)
Chip Polling (Start Test Mode) - 15V Required PSU Amps: 10~18
This basic test checks for proper signal passage of the RX, CHK, and other signals going through the ASIC chip. Most competing testers do the same thing.
Temperature Senor Testing - 15V Required Amps: 10~18
Checks temp sensors on the hashboard.
Individual S21 ASIC Chip Temperature Check - 15V 10~18A
Next, lets check to make sure the temp is working on each S21 ASIC chip.
S21 ASIC Voltage Readings - 15V 15~18A
Make sure voltage readings are correct.
If certain chips are showing issues, you'll see some chips get lower or higher voltages. Zero voltage chips would be a place to start further investigation.
S21 ASIC Chip Initialization - 15V 15~18A
This test provides an initialization check on each chip in preparation for a mining hash. Think of it as a boot up process to get it into a "Ready State" by checking the readiness of the logical core of the chip.
S21 Hash Test Simulation - 15V 15~85A
The STASIC tester's unique function of simulating a hash test without the need to having the board in the miner. This is equivalent to the PT2 test of the Bitmain testers, but you don't need to have it in the miner. Saves a good 10-20 minutes per board not having to load it into a miner and finding out it's still not working from a basic 100% polling test pass.
One caveat with some of these tests is having a proper supply as some tests require up to 85 amp draw like the hash test function. Surprisingly there aren't many 50+ Amp lab PSU's on the market sold here in the USA. Even if you don't have such a powerful PSU, the other tests would be suffice as well.
Purchase one today and get extra 20-20 pin connector cable from us! We're the distributor for the STASIC tester here in the US region.
