Field notes
A first-ASIC checklist that fits a garage
The first week with an ASIC is when most garage installs go sideways: blocked intakes, undersized cords, or a power board shared with a fridge. This checklist mirrors the sequence we teach at Webaspenway before anyone presses the switch.
Space
- Measure intake and exhaust clearance against the manufacturer’s minimums — then add margin for dust filters
- Keep cardboard, paint cans, and fabric away from the hot exhaust path
- Confirm you can reach the unit to power it down without climbing over storage
Power path
- Use cords rated for continuous load; avoid coiled excess that traps heat
- Place a plug-in watt meter where you can read it without unplugging the miner
- Know which breaker protects the outlet and what else shares that circuit
First boot
Update firmware only from sources you trust, note the pool worker name, and watch temperatures for the first hour. If anything smells of hot plastic, shut down and reassess cabling.
Want supervised practice? The Mining Fundamentals workshop walks this list on live demonstration hardware.