⚠️ IMPORTANT — COMPATIBLE MINERS
The SolarAxe V-Core is pre-configured for compatible 5V home miners, including BitAxe 601/602 variant miners and other miners designed to operate at approximately 5V.
The V-Core's miner outputs have been factory-adjusted to account for internal wiring and components and may supply your miner with approximately:
5.0V–5.6V DC
Before Connecting Any Other Miner
If you choose to use a miner other than a compatible BitAxe 601/602 variant, verify that the miner can safely accept up to approximately 5.6V DC before connecting it to the SolarAxe V-Core.
Connecting a miner that is not designed for this voltage range could damage the miner very quickly.
SolarAxe cannot guarantee compatibility with miners outside the intended voltage range. It is the user's responsibility to verify the voltage requirements of any alternate miner before connecting it to the V-Core.
If you are unsure whether your miner is compatible, do not connect it. Contact SolarAxe Support first.
V-Core Location & Operating Environment
The V-Core is designed to operate in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.
For best performance and battery life, operation in an area with an ambient temperature of approximately:
90°F or below
is ideal.
Internal temperature may rise slightly while the V-Core is operating, particularly when powering multiple miners or charging the battery at the same time. This is normal.
The V-Core enclosure is semi-weatherproof, but it is not fully waterproof.
The V-Core may be operated outdoors, but it should be positioned in a protected location.
For outdoor operation:
- Keep the V-Core out of direct sunlight
- Do not place it where rain or water can directly strike the enclosure
- Avoid locations where water can pool around the unit
- Keep external connectors protected from direct exposure to water
- Avoid excessively hot enclosed spaces
A covered porch, under-panel mounting location, shaded structure, or similar protected area is generally preferable to fully exposed outdoor placement.
The enclosure provides a degree of protection from normal outdoor conditions, but it should not be treated as a fully sealed waterproof electrical enclosure.
Quick Setup
⚠️ IMPORTANT — CONNECT BATTERY BEFORE SOLAR
The V-Core's internal battery must be connected before connecting the solar panel to the V-Core.
Connecting solar input while the internal battery is disconnected may damage the V-Core's solar charge controller.
Always follow this order:
1. Connect internal battery → 2. Connect solar panel → 3. Connect miner(s)
1. Open the V-Core
Release the exterior latches and open the lid.
The V-Core is shipped with protective foam around the internal electronics and battery connections.
2. Carefully Remove the Foam Inserts
Remove the shipping foam from inside the V-Core.
Take care not to pull on any wires, terminals, or electronic components while removing the foam.
The foam is used for shipping protection and should not remain inside the V-Core during normal operation.
3. Connect the Battery Cables
Connect the internal battery cables to their matching battery terminals:
Red cable → Red (+) terminal
Black cable → Black (–) terminal
Verify the connections are fully seated and secure.
Do not reverse battery polarity.
Connecting the battery with reversed polarity could damage the V-Core's electrical system.
4. Connect Miner Power Cable(s) to the V-Core
The front of the V-Core contains two miner power outputs:
MINER 1
MINER 2
Connect the supplied miner power cable to the desired output.
If operating two miners, connect one cable to each output.
Keep the protective cap installed on any unused output whenever possible.
5. Connect the Solar Extension Cable to the Solar Panel
Connect the MC4 end of the supplied solar extension cable to the corresponding MC4 connectors on your solar panel.
MC4 connectors are polarity-specific and should only connect in the proper orientation.
Do not force the connectors together.
6. Connect the Solar Cable to the V-Core
Connect the yellow XT60 connector on the solar extension cable to the V-Core's:
PV INPUT
Verify that the connector is fully seated.
The V-Core can now use available solar power to charge its internal battery.
7. Connect the Miner Cable(s) to Your Miner(s)
Connect the miner power cable from MINER 1 and/or MINER 2 to the appropriate power input on your miner.
Once connected and adequate battery power is available, the miner should begin booting normally.
How the V-Core Works
The V-Core uses its internal battery as a buffer between your solar panel and miner.
During strong sunlight:
Solar Panel → V-Core Charge Controller → Battery + Miner
When solar production exceeds the amount of power being consumed by the miner, the remaining solar energy is used to charge the battery.
When solar production falls below miner demand:
Solar + Battery → Miner
The battery automatically supplies the difference.
When little or no solar power is available:
Battery → Miner
The miner can continue operating from stored battery energy until the battery reaches the V-Core's low-voltage protection threshold.
This allows the V-Core to provide much more consistent mining than a direct-panel system.
Battery Protection
Your SolarAxe V-Core includes Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) protection designed to prevent excessive discharge of the internal LiFePO4 battery.
Factory LVD Settings
Disconnect Voltage: approximately 12.5V
If battery voltage falls to the configured low-voltage threshold, the V-Core will disconnect power from the miner outputs.
This protects the battery from continuing to discharge during periods when available solar energy is insufficient.
Reconnect Voltage
Reconnect Voltage: approximately 12.9V
After a low-voltage shutdown, the V-Core will not immediately restart the miner as soon as the battery voltage rises slightly.
The battery must recover to approximately the configured reconnect voltage before miner power is restored.
This helps prevent repeated:
Boot → Voltage Drop → Shutdown → Boot
cycling when solar energy is only barely sufficient.
Normal Battery & Solar Behavior
Because the V-Core includes an internal battery, short changes in sunlight should generally not immediately shut down your miner.
For example:
Cloud passes → Solar production drops → Battery supplies additional power → Cloud passes → Solar production increases → Battery begins charging again
This is normal operation.
If solar production remains below miner consumption for an extended period, the battery will gradually discharge.
Eventually:
Battery reaches LVD threshold → Miner output shuts off → Solar recharges battery → Battery reaches reconnect threshold → Mining resumes
This is also normal operation.
Solar Production vs. Miner Consumption
The V-Core's operating time depends heavily on the relationship between:
Solar production + stored battery energy
and
Miner power consumption
A solar panel rated at 100 watts will not normally produce 100 watts continuously throughout the day.
Actual output varies based on:
- Time of day
- Clouds
- Panel angle
- Panel orientation
- Shade
- Season
- Temperature
- Geographic location
Similarly, increasing miner frequency or voltage through overclocking increases power consumption.
If your miner consumes energy faster than the solar panel can replace it, the battery will gradually discharge even during daylight.
Using Two Miners
The V-Core includes two miner outputs so compatible miners can be operated from the same system.
When two miners are connected, their combined power consumption must be considered.
For example, adding a second miner approximately doubles the mining load if both miners consume similar power.
Higher total miner consumption means:
- Faster battery discharge
- More solar capacity required
- Longer recharge times
- Less overnight/runtime reserve
Using two miners does not increase the amount of energy available from the battery or solar panel.
It simply allows the available energy to be divided between two miners.
DC-DC Converter & Miner Voltage
The V-Core contains a DC-DC power system that converts battery voltage to the approximately 5V supply required by compatible miners.
Each V-Core is factory configured before shipment.
Expected Miner Voltage
Your miner should normally operate within approximately:
5.0V–5.6V
Actual voltage observed at the miner can vary slightly depending on:
- Miner load
- Cable length
- Connector resistance
- Current draw
- Operating conditions
Do not adjust the internal DC-DC converter unless specifically instructed by SolarAxe Support.
⚠️ Low or High Voltage Warning
After connecting your miner, check the voltage reported by AxeOS or your miner's operating system.
If your miner displays:
“Danger: Low Voltage”
or if the reported miner voltage is:
Above 5.6V
stop mining and contact SolarAxe Support.
Do not continue operating the miner until the cause has been identified.
Overclocking
The SolarAxe V-Core is designed to operate compatible miners from their normal factory operating settings through reasonable manufacturer-recognized overclock settings.
Higher clock speeds require more electrical power.
Increasing miner power consumption can significantly affect:
- Battery runtime
- Solar recharge time
- Overnight operation
- Miner voltage under load
- System temperature
Custom Overclocks
Aggressive custom overclocking may result in:
- Low-voltage warnings
- Miner instability
- Failed boots
- Unexpected restarts
- Increased connector temperature
- Faster battery discharge
- Greater solar-panel requirements
Custom overclocking beyond recognized safe operating limits is performed at the user's own risk.
SolarAxe is not responsible for damage to the V-Core or connected miner resulting from custom overclock settings beyond safe operating limits.
LiFePO4 Battery
Your V-Core uses a 12.8V LiFePO4 battery.
LiFePO4 battery voltage behaves differently from traditional lead-acid batteries.
A fully charged battery may reach approximately 14V or slightly higher while charging, then settle to a lower resting voltage after charging stops.
This is normal.
A battery resting around the low-to-mid 13V range can still have a substantial state of charge remaining.
Do not judge battery capacity based solely on the highest voltage observed immediately after charging.
Charge Controller Display
The display inside the V-Core provides information about the solar charging system and battery.
Depending on current operating conditions, the display may show information such as:
- Battery voltage
- Solar charging status
- Battery charge indication
- Load/output status
Small changes in displayed voltage throughout the day are normal.
Battery voltage will increase while charging and decrease as energy is consumed.
Before Leaving the V-Core Unattended
After initial setup, allow the system to operate while you can observe it.
Check that:
- Battery connections remain secure
- Miner cables are fully seated
- Solar connectors are fully seated
- No connector is becoming unusually hot
- The miner voltage is within the expected range
- The battery is charging when adequate sunlight is available
- The miner operates normally
Slight warmth from electrical components or connectors can occur under load.
A connector or cable that becomes very hot, discolored, softened, or produces an electrical smell should be disconnected and inspected before continued operation.
Need Help?
If something does not appear to be operating correctly, disconnect the miner and contact SolarAxe Support.
When contacting us, please include:
- Your miner model
- Number of miners connected
- Miner operating/overclock settings
- A photo of the specifications label on your solar panel
- A photo or video of the V-Core while the issue is occurring
- Battery voltage shown on the V-Core display
- Voltage shown in AxeOS or your miner's operating system
- Any warnings displayed by the miner
These details will help us diagnose the issue much more quickly.
SolarAxe V-Core
Store the Sun. Mine Around the Clock.