In 2016, I started mining Bitcoin in Sichuan. At that time, Bitcoin prices were about 4,000 to 6,000 yuan, far from the highs we see later, but for us early miners, it was already a decent opportunity. The choice of Sichuan was mainly because of its abundant hydroelectric resources and particularly low electricity prices, around 0.3 to 0.4 yuan per kilowatt-hour. This is crucial for mining, as electricity costs are the largest expense, and low electricity prices ensure stable profits for the mining machines.
I rented a rundown small factory, with very basic conditions. It was humid and stuffy in the summer and cold and damp in the winter; there was no air conditioning, just a few exhaust fans struggling to help the machines cool down. The machines operated 24 hours a day, generating a lot of heat. If cooling was inadequate, the machines could easily overheat, leading to performance drops or even damage. Therefore, I modified the factory's ventilation system, installed dozens of fans, and laid moisture-proof materials in the corners and on the roof to prevent humidity from damaging the equipment.
For the mining machine, I chose the Antminer S9. This model was just released in 2016, using 16nm chips, with a computing power of 13.5TH/s and a power consumption of about 1350 watts. Although it wasn't the top model at the time, it was stable and cost-effective, becoming a staple in the mining community. Every day, I carefully monitored the machine's computing power, temperature, and operating status, and immediately investigated any anomalies. Cleaning dust was a daily necessity, as dust blocking the fans would lead to poor heat dissipation, causing the machines to overheat and stop working.
Sichuan often experiences heavy rain in the summer, and the mining site frequently encounters power outages and water ingress. To reduce downtime, I invested in installing uninterruptible power supplies and diesel generators, allowing for quick power switching during outages to ensure the machines operate normally. Once, after a heavy rain, the drainage system outside the factory was destroyed by floodwaters, and water surged directly into the factory. My coworkers and I worked overnight to pump out water and rescue the equipment; the situation was very urgent.
Besides hardware maintenance, upgrading the firmware and adjusting parameters of the mining machines are also very important. New firmware can enhance computing power and reduce power consumption, so I continually learned related technologies to ensure the machines operate efficiently. Alarms from the mining machines became a regular occurrence, and I was often woken up at night to check them. This persistence and sense of responsibility gradually transformed me into a professional miner.
Mining is far from just 'plugging in and making money'; it's a technical job where details and patience determine success or failure. Every minute that the mining machines run stably relates to profits, and any negligence can lead to losses. Fortunately, the low electricity prices in Sichuan significantly reduced costs, and the Antminer S9's good power performance allowed my mining site to achieve stable profits.
Looking back at that experience, I almost started from scratch, relying on my interest in technology and persistence to develop a complete mining management method. Through equipment failures, power outages from floods, and emergency repairs at night, I constantly learned about hardware and networking, accumulating rich experience. That simple little factory became an important turning point in my life and laid the foundation for expanding the mining site later.
Although I no longer directly manage the mining site, those days spent in the deep mountains of Sichuan, accompanied by mining machines, are the most valuable wealth of my life. It taught me how to face challenges and persist, and it also allowed me to seize the opportunities of the cryptocurrency era.$ETH $BTC #中心化与去中心化交易所 #加密市场回调 
