Texas, the foremost mining epicenter in the United States, has historically been a strategic cornerstone for Bitmain’s relentless pursuit of mining dominance. However, a stunning reversal has occurred as all of Bitmain’s air-cooling miners, particularly the prestigious Antminer S19 series, have been compelled to cease operations in Texas. The official evaluation is unequivocal: Texas’s extreme climatic conditions, characterized by soaring heat and oppressive humidity, are deemed inimical to the effective functioning of air-cooling antminers.
The maintenance predicament within the Antminer S19 series operating in Texas is stark. Units in optimal condition face a 40% repair rate, while those in suboptimal condition experience a staggering 100% repair rate. This led to the gradual withdrawal of the Antminer S19 series from Texas shelves in mid-June this year, coinciding with a notable decline in the network’s overall hash rate around June 16th.
At the heart of this issue lies severe corrosion within the hashboards of the Antminer S19 series, particularly the S19K Pro model. The stark contrast in coloration between the air inlet side and the rest of the hashboard is a tangible manifestation of this corrosion, which has been exacerbated by the harsh Texas weather.
Upon closer scrutiny, it becomes evident that this predicament stems not merely from environmental factors but from the inherent design flaws of Bitmain’s miners. The continued use of compact heat sinks, while effective for thermal dissipation, has proven to be a double-edged sword under certain conditions.
The Bitmain’s Antminer S19K Pro, in particular, adopts a heat dissipation structure reminiscent of the two-sided small radiator of the Bitmain’s Antminer S17, which, under certain circumstances, has proven to be highly susceptible to damage. These circumstances include:
Firstly, Transportation Vulnerabilities:
The small radiator’s sensitivity to vibrations makes it prone to dislodgement during transit, especially under bumpy conditions or inadequate packaging.
Secondly, Rapid Temperature Fluctuations:
As evidenced by the Bitmain Antminer S19K Pro’s fluctuating hashrate and increased power ratio with rising ambient temperatures, its small heat capacity exacerbates the impact of rapid temperature changes. This can lead to damage even in the absence of extreme conditions.
Thirdly, Moisture-Induced Chip Cracking:
After shutdowns spanning a few days, the limited protection offered by the small radiator leaves the chip vulnerable to moisture absorption, which can cause cracking upon restart.
In conclusion, Bitmain’s Antminer S19 series has encountered a formidable challenge in Texas’s unforgiving climate, revealing the limitations of their current design approach. As the mining industry continues to evolve, it will be imperative for Bitmain and other manufacturers to adapt their designs to withstand the rigors of varying environments, ensuring reliability and longevity amidst the relentless pursuit of mining dominance.
