This article talks about the ideal mining rig operating conditions and offers cleaning instructions for Antminer L3+ miners. To guarantee stable hashing performance and a longer miner lifespan, you must know how to perform preventative maintenance.
The first section offers advice on how to operate a miner on a daily basis, and the last section offers a list of suggested tools. We list some of the supplies you might require in the second section, which is devoted to cleaning. In order to conclude, we provide some fundamental advice for troubleshooting the Antminer L3+ as well as information on how to contact the creator or other miners for support or repairs.
Table of Contents
Antminer L3+ Daily Operation Tips
An Antminer L3+ miner needs to be monitored at least every couple hours.
What are the things to watch out for when using Antminer L3+?
- Antminer L3+ machine’s average hashing speed is within 5-10% of the stated specs
- Antminer L3+ miner’s chip temperature is preferably between 70°-80°C (158°-176°F) to preserve the ASICs
- The ambient (room) temperature is 10°-30°C (50°-86°F) for optimal hashing
- The PCB (hash/control board) temperature is less than ~ 90°C (194°F), and all three hash boards do not differ more than 10°C (~20°F) from one another
- Antminer L3+ pool latency is low, and your submitted hashing speed matches the kernel log
- The electricity supply of Antminer L3+ is stable and cables are not damaged
- The Antminer L3+ machine fans and the room ventilation is not obstructed
You must conduct troubleshooting if any of the issues listed in these bullet points arise. Moving the machine to improve airflow or performing a lengthy reset (turning the machine off for two minutes) can occasionally be helpful. Sometimes it’s necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. The article’s sections on repairs and troubleshooting are expanded upon at the end.
Here is more detailed information regarding Antminer L3+ running conditions:
Visual Checks for Antminer L3+
Before installation or after repairs, give the Antminer L3+ miner a visual inspection.
- Inspect for dents or damage
- Gently shake and listen for Antminer L3+ loose screws, heat sinks, or other components
- Check that no scraps are lodged in the fans, and they are complete, and run in the correct direction
- Feel for loose cables, and check that Antminer L3+ copper bars are not tilted or squished
- If you need to touch the electronics, wear antistatic gloves
- See that no warning lights come on when it is plugged in
- Double-check that your Antminer L3+ mining pool settings and IP are correct
Fans of Antminer L3+
It is recommended to use the same brand that the miner’s original manufacturer used when replacing the cooling fans on your Antminer L3+ miner. Some miners decide to replace their old fans with better models to reduce noise or enhance equipment cooling. They should be aware, though, that doing so might result in less efficient and less power-useful operations. Do not switch a high speed fan out for a lower speed one to prevent overheating.
Ventilation and Humidity of Antminer L3+
Mining equipment like the Antminer L3+ can get warm. The addition of room fans and/or outside ventilation can enhance a mining space’s capacity to dissipate heat. Bugs won’t get into your mining room if you install a dust screen or mesh on an intake vent. Using a wind cover or hood on an outlet vent, it is possible to maintain the correct airflow by preventing backdraft. Just keep in mind to check and maintain the Antminer L3+ ventilation systems on a regular basis. Additionally, make sure that no snow or rain is entering through your ventilation.
To prevent warm air from recirculating into the cooler air intake area, mining farms can also install negative pressure fans and separate hot and cold aisles. Some farms are shaped like cathedrals, which forces hot air up and through roof vents and draws cool air up through the sides of the building. As an alternative, it is possible to draw cooling air directly through the mining containers from one side to the other.
Due to its high operating costs, air conditioning is typically not cost-effective. Some miners choose to use water curtains instead, despite the fact that they are not failsafe systems. They may evaporate a lot of water and clog filters with dust and other particles. A water curtain’s presence may also make it more humid.
An Antminer L3+ miner may corrode, leaving pitting and bubbling on the metal surfaces, in an environment with high humidity. Optimal humidity is below 65%. Dehumidifiers or air recirculation can be used to solve this problem. Additionally, it is not advised to operate equipment close to the ocean because the salty air can damage hash boards.
Noise of Antminer L3+
Antminer L3+ mining equipment is noisy, with a sound pressure level of about 70 dB. The good news is that bitcoin miners are amazingly inventive and resourceful when it comes to coming up with solutions to noise issues.
For example, a miner silencer box could be constructed from metal, wood, or even an ice chest. Pay attention to the machine’s temperature when testing a new miner box and make any necessary adjustments to prevent overheating. Rockwool is a soundproof, fireproof insulation material that could be used to quiet down a mining box or room.
Lastly, wear ear protection around running Protect your hearing by using Antminer L3+ equipment.
Immersion
Immersion fluid can be used to cool Antminer L3+ miners, reduce noise, and keep the equipment clean as an alternative to operating on air. Immersion may also increase a rig’s lifespan. Despite being submerged, some miners connected the heating systems for their homes and swimming pools!
Due to potential costs, demands, and voiding of warranties, not everyone would benefit from this kind of solution. Because water evaporates quickly in hot climates, immersion systems use a lot of water to dissipate heat into a cooling chamber. Additionally, immersion fluids, especially mineral oil, can exacerbate corrosion. Sulfur, bubble patterns, and inadequate electrical grounding have all been connected in studies to damage.
Canaan, a manufacturer of mining machinery for the Antminer L3+, is the only business that creates specialized immersion cooling systems and units.
Fire Safety
Use non-flammable products close to your machine to lower the possibility of a fire. A fire extinguisher should always be kept nearby, and adequate ventilation should be provided. To prevent dust buildup that could ignite, you should clean your Antminer L3+ miner frequently. How to clean your Antminer L3+ miner is covered in the next section.
In your setup, use fireproof network and electrical cables. Check cables for damage frequently, and replace them if necessary. You can also use an infrared thermometer to check that the temperature of the circuit breaker, cables, and power distribution unit (PDU) connectors are never heated past 70°C (158°F). Additionally, pay attention to the reliability of your electricity supply.
Electricity Checks
Before beginning a mining operation, make sure the appropriate electrical setup is in place. You will need to do your own research based on the model(s) you wish to run, and may need to hire an electrician to get started. A power supply must also be about 20% more powerful than the miner’s specified power consumption.
On a daily basis you can use a multimeter to check that the voltage of the For stability and to avoid burned cables, PDU sockets are typically within the range of 220V plus 10%. Verify that none of your three-phase ammeters deviate by more than 15% as well. Contact an electrician if the voltage appears unusual.
Check for electrical leaks coming from miners on a regular basis as well. Your miner’s power supply unit (PSU) may not be properly grounded, which could harm the equipment if you experience shocks when you touch it.
Avert power surges and blackouts because they can harm equipment. You can achieve this by either installing surge protectors or by taking extra precaution and turning off your machines during storms. Additionally, rather than turning off your devices quickly, you should do so gradually. The final step is to check that none of your power outlets are hot, corroded, or loose.
Network
To isolate your Antminer L3+ miners, use a static IP address and a router. This guarantees a fast, secure network. Many people use a VPN and/or TOR to further obfuscate their communications, but this can increase latency. Because hash rate shares can change, your daily earnings could go down. Slow networks or a pool connection with a high latency can also contribute to these issues. By pinging the mining pool from the miner’s network diagnostics interface, you can quickly determine the speed of your Antminer L3 line. Ask your mining pool for different stratum addresses, or if your speed is still too slow, change mining pools.
Over, Underclocking, and Autotuning
The fan speed in Antminer L3+ miners is changed automatically. For instance, the RPM of fans will rise if a machine is running hot. When it gets too hot or cold, some mining equipment even shuts down to avoid damage. Manufacturers caution against overriding a miner’s settings with third-party firmware mainly due to these stock fan speed and shutoff features.
On some Antminer L3+ devices, the miner configuration setup offers a variety of power mode options. The manufacturer’s under- and overclocking firmware modifies the miner’s overall voltage. On the other hand, using third-party firmware from businesses like Braiins, VNISH, and others, it is possible to autotune chips with more complex settings, like lowering the voltage to a specific chain of chips.
Autotuning, in the opinion of many miners, is especially beneficial for older machines that are unable to handle the unstable Antminer L3+ or for home mining. However, users should be aware that warranties will be null and void after using alternative firmware, that faulty power supplies can damage chips, and that software can introduce viruses or steal some of your hash. Additionally not free and potentially security vulnerable, third-party firmware.
Additionally, air overclocking will eventually lead to chip burnout, which can be very costly. But overclocking in immersion fluid ought to be acceptable as long as chip temperatures stay low. As a result, always conduct your own research into Antminer L3+ firmware before using it. And, it is wise for your own peace of mind to use an electricity usage monitor, to double-check that the miner’s electrical draw at the wall plug matches what a firmware’s UI specifies.
Farms may also use third-party miner management software. As an illustration, the Foreman.mn system can assist with accounting, automate mining processes, reduce miner errors, and more.
Summary of Tools for Miner Operation
In summary, here is a list of some of the suggested tools discussed in this section that you may find useful for your Antminer L3+ mining operation, though you do not necessarily need everything on this list:
- Anti-static gloves
- Ear protection
- A sound/decibel meter
- Soundproofing material is optional
- Storm shelters, dust filters, miner safety gear, etc. are examples of ventilation equipment.
- Room fans and/or dehumidifiers
- An infrared thermometer, or a room thermometer
- A fire extinguisher and alarm
- Extra cables and miner fans specific to your model
- Installation of a PDU may be needed
- A multimeter, and maybe an ammeter
- A network cable and a router
- An electricity usage monitor/meter
- A computer to view the network, and your miner’s admin and kernel log
- Voltage enhancing firmware from the manufacturer, or from a third-party is optional
Cleaning Your Miner
Your Antminer L3+ miner needs regular cleaning. As a result, the chance of heat and fire is decreased, and efficiency and hash rate are raised. Maintaining the machine’s cleanliness will increase its lifespan and protect the microchips and other parts.
If you want to keep the air quality high, try cleaning your Antminer L3+ miner once a month, or more frequently if necessary. You’ll be able to tell when it’s required if you can see visible lint or if your typical daily mining speed decreases by more than 5%.
The best way to clean an Antminer L3+ miner is to use a high pressure air compressor with air gun in interval bursts. The fan blades, chassis, and hash boards will all have any accumulated dust cleaned off by doing this. The acceptable air pressure range is 0.7 MPa plus or minus 0.05 MPa.
With the exception of humid environments, where it is difficult to remove dust with just compressed air, you usually do not need to disassemble the machine for routine monthly cleanings. In which case you can take out the hash boards and dismount the fans, and then gently brush them off with a dry antistatic brush.
It is not advised for miners to use vacuums on their mining machinery because they have the potential to suck up or loosen components. It is also not advised to use canned compressed air because it contains water, which could cause a machine to short out or harm its parts.
The mining area must be kept clean as well. Try to regularly sweep and dust the surfaces near your mining area.
How to Deep Clean An Antminer L3+ Miner
Depending on the quality of the air in your working environment, your Antminer L3+ miner may occasionally require a thorough cleaning. This might occur once or twice a year. At mining farms and repair centres, ultrasonic cleaning machines for electronics are often used. Further, immersion units and the cleanup of solder or other leftovers from Antminer L3+ miners both benefit greatly from the use of flux-filled ultrasonic baths.
For home miners, hash and control boards can be manually rinsed with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Because salts and minerals that could harm your machine and cause short-circuits can be left behind, it is not recommended to use water to clean miners. Don’t forget to clean your machine with 99% isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any residue if it were to unintentionally get wet with water from the rain or other liquids.
Summary of Tools for Cleaning Your Antminer L3+ Miner
In conclusion, for the monthly clean of your Antminer L3+ miner we recommend the following tools:
- A high pressure air compressor with an air gun; the air pressure range should be 0.7 ±0.05 MPa
- Antistatic gloves
- An antistatic soft brush
- A vacuum cleaner for the surrounding area, and dusting rags
- And remember to clean out your room ventilation filters/mesh, if used
Furthermore, an ultrasonic machine can help to deep clean your in particular if you use immersion, Antminer L3+ miner. Or, here is a list of the equipment required to manually deep clean a bitcoin ASIC miner like in the video above:
- Tools: a small dry antistatic brush and q-tips to remove stubborn dust, a a plastic bath tub and cup for the bath, a net or strainer, a drying line and wire, cloths, and safety gloves.
- Substances: 99% isopropyl alcohol, The fan grill needs to be cleaned with vinegar, the outer case only with Never Dull polish, and the fan hub with WD40.
- Parts: replacement cables and/or fans may be needed which suit your ASIC model.
When cleaning the Antminer L3+, be careful not to use harsh brushes or excessive force in order to preserve the parts of the rig!
