Alongside issues like extraction costs, the state of the cryptocurrency market, and internet conditions in Iran, one of the concerns for cryptocurrency miners is the noise generated by the mining devices. The main source of this noise is the fans used to cool the miners. This issue is so significant that the noise level produced by miners is often mentioned in their specifications, and buyers consider this when purchasing miners. In large cryptocurrency farms, the noise produced by miners can be so high that it becomes difficult for miners to stay in the environment for extended periods. Reports suggest that prolonged exposure to noise pollution can lead to sleep disturbances, hearing problems, and mental health deterioration. These issues have led experts to think about methods to silence miners and develop techniques to achieve this.
What is the Source of Miner Noise?
Most mining devices (ASICs) have two fans: one responsible for drawing air into the device and the other for expelling warm air from the enclosure. These fans are crucial as they handle the device’s ventilation, and without them, the mining process would be hindered due to overheating. For instance, the L3 miner from Bitmain with a capacity of 596 MH/s produces around 70 dB of noise, comparable to the noise level of a moderately busy street. In comparison, the noise level at a metro station is approximately 76 dB. This comparison helps illustrate the noise levels. Now, let’s explore how to reduce this noise.
Methods to Reduce Miner Noise
There are effective and straightforward methods to silence miners, which we will discuss below:
Reducing Ambient Temperature
As you know, the fans in ASICs are installed to control and reduce the temperature to improve the performance of microchips and the mining process. By using additional cooling tools and reducing the ambient temperature where the miner is installed, you can reduce the speed of the fans and, consequently, the noise produced by the miner. There are multiple methods to lower the temperature of miners, which are discussed in other articles.
Using Mining Boxes
Standard mining boxes can both cool the miner and neutralize the noise it generates. This can be one of the most sensitive methods of silencing miners because improper management of the box can trap warm air around the miner, potentially damaging it. Therefore, we recommend not skimping on costs and opting for high-quality models that feature appropriate fans at the exhaust pipe’s opening to prevent warm air from being trapped inside the box. The opening should be large and properly insulated. The inside of the pipe can be lined with non-flammable acoustic foam. The denser and thicker the foam, the more effectively it will reduce the noise escaping from the box.
Using Soundproof Wall Coverings or Curtains
Fortunately, soundproof wall coverings or acoustic foam are available on the market today. By purchasing these products and installing them on the walls, you can prevent miner noise from escaping the room. If you have a small number of miners, you can use thick curtains to silence them. Make sure the wall coverings and curtains do not trap the room’s air and are preferably non-flammable, as heat can easily ignite a thin curtain or basic acoustic foam.
Installing Miners in a Dedicated Room
It is better to set up a separate mobile cabin or a customized room for installing multiple miners together. Place it at a distance from your living area, ensuring that the room or mobile cabin has enough windows or ventilation equipment installed.
Protect Your Ears
If none of the silencing methods work or you haven’t yet managed to control the noise, you can use special ear protection products like industrial headphones to prevent hearing damage and fatigue from the noise. This solution is acceptable only if the number of miners is small and the noise does not disturb your neighbors or housemates.
Dangerous Activities for Silencing Miners
Not all methods are suitable for silencing miners. Remember, noise is an inherent part of mining devices, and you chose this method of earning money with this understanding. Using unconventional methods can damage your miner and jeopardize the cryptocurrency extraction process. If you plan to mine for a long time, avoid the following activities:
Mineral Oil is Dangerous
Although it is said that mineral oil can lower the miner’s temperature and, thus, control its noise, introducing standard oil into an aquarium can quickly lead to miner failure. If you even have the slightest doubt about the quality of mineral oil, it is better not to use this method for cooling the miner. Moreover, if the only reason for considering mineral oil is the noise, note that the radiator installed on the aquarium itself generates considerable noise.
Do Not Tamper with the Fans
Tampering with miner fans, whether by removing them or modifying them through software, is not recommended. If you can achieve the standard environmental conditions for the miner, the fans’ rotation speed will automatically decrease, silencing the miner. Replacing the fans with other models might disrupt the miner’s cooling process.
Avoid Leaving Miners in Open Environments
Open and outdoor environments are unsuitable for miners due to dust, moisture, impact, insects, etc. If you place the miner on a balcony or yard to reduce noise, you risk damaging it. Exposure to direct sunlight, rain, and environmental dust can severely harm the miner’s chips.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively reduce the noise generated by your mining devices and create a more comfortable and safer environment for cryptocurrency mining.
