Ethereum: Higher Cost Running Antminer S9 with APW3++ when Running at 220v
As the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, many miners are looking to upgrade their rigs to stay ahead of the competition. One of the most popular mining rigs on the market is the Antminer S9, and one of its key components is the Advanced Power Washing (APW) unit that enhances its performance.
However, when running Antminer S9s with an Advanced Power Washing (APW)++ unit at 220v, a common issue arises: increased operating costs. In this article, we’ll delve into the details behind why running your Antminer S9 at 220v can be more expensive than running them at 110v.
Understanding APW and its requirements
The APW is an advanced power washing system designed to optimize electricity efficiency for mining rigs like the Antminer S9. It’s essentially a smart load management system that adjusts the output of your mining rig based on factors such as voltage, current, and temperature.
The APW++ unit is specifically designed for high-performance applications like mining. It features advanced algorithms that take into account various parameters to optimize power consumption and energy efficiency. In our experience, running an Antminer S9 at 220v requires the use of the APW++ unit.
Why higher voltage leads to increased operating costs
When you run your Antminer S9s with the APW++ unit at 220v, several factors contribute to higher operating costs:
- Increased current draw
: At 220v, the current drawn by each Antminer S9 is significantly higher than what’s required for a 110v setup. This increased current draw translates to more energy consumption and higher electricity bills.
- Higher power factor correction (PFC) requirements: The APW++ unit requires a higher PFC rating at 220v, which means it needs to handle higher voltages and currents. This increases the cost of the module due to the added complexity and increased component costs.
- More advanced power electronics: Higher voltage also necessitates more advanced power electronics like IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) and high-voltage switches, which come with higher costs.
Comparison of 110v vs 220v settings
To give you a better understanding of the differences between running your Antminer S9 at 110v or 220v, let’s take a look at some rough estimates:
- Running an Antminer S9 at 110v:
+ Electricity cost: $0.05 per hour
+ Energy consumption: approximately 100-150Wh (depending on the number of units and usage patterns)
+ APW++ unit power consumption: around 20-30% of the total energy consumption, due to higher current draw at 110v
- Running an Antminer S9 at 220v:
+ Electricity cost: $0.10 per hour (due to increased electricity bills for higher current draw)
+ Energy consumption: approximately 150-200Wh (depending on the number of units and usage patterns)
+ APW++ unit power consumption: around 40-50% of the total energy consumption, due to even higher current draw at 220v
Conclusion
In conclusion, running your Antminer S9s with an Advanced Power Washing (APW)++ unit at 220v can indeed increase operating costs compared to a 110v setup. While the APW++ unit is designed to optimize energy efficiency for high-performance applications, the additional complexity and component costs come with higher prices.
If you’re looking to reduce your electricity bills without sacrificing performance, it’s essential to carefully consider your specific power requirements and energy usage patterns before making any decisions.
