Imagine mining Bitcoin in a typical U.S. home, without any electrical upgrades. Travis Bitckle, a miner based in the United States, has made this scenario a reality by introducing a single-board Antminer S19 jPro that operates on a standard American 120v power supply, as reported by ungovernablemisfits.
The significance of this innovation cannot be overstated, particularly for American miners who have faced challenges due to the requirement of a 240v electrical outlet and device limitations. The mastermind behind the initial concept is Zack Bombsta of Pivotal Pleb Tech, who developed a jailbreaking circuit board called the “Loki Board.” This board enables miners to utilize any power supply, bypassing the restrictions imposed by stock supplies.
Most mining rigs in the U.S. are designed for 240v, which is not commonly available in American households. Travis’s innovative setup eliminates the need for this requirement, utilizing a standard 120v power outlet and an APW3++ power supply from an older Antminer. Additionally, the rig optimizes a 240v donor machine by removing one of its hash boards for this 120v configuration.
Performance results
The rig’s single hash board, originally from a 92Th machine, generates 37Th on its own, representing a 20% increase in hash production. This effectively places the rig on par with a 111Th machine, defying expectations for a setup resembling Frankenstein’s monster.
Travis also addresses the issue of noise commonly associated with home mining. He replaced the stock fans with an AC Infinity 6″ inline fan, significantly reducing the noise level. Additionally, a WiFi bridge was incorporated, eliminating the need for an Ethernet cable and making the setup more convenient for home use.
The total cost of this setup is approximately $500, with the potential for cost reduction if salvaging older machines for parts. This invention could be the equalizing force that U.S. home miners have been eagerly anticipating, enabling them to contribute to the world of decentralized finance without requiring specialized electrical configurations.
