Antminer L7 & L9 for Home Use
The Bitmain Antminer L7 and Antminer L9 are industrial‑class Scrypt miners designed for Litecoin (LTC) + Dogecoin (DOGE) merged mining. On paper, the L7 family runs around 8.0–9.3 GH/s at ~3.0–3.4 kW, while the L9 jumps to ~16–17 GH/s at ~3.36–3.57 kW. That’s massive hashrate—but also server‑room noise and space‑heater‑level heat. This page explains what those numbers mean for a home/apartment, and offers safer alternatives if you need quiet.
Pros:
- Top‑tier Scrypt hashrate for LTC+DOGE merged mining.
- Better efficiency generation‑to‑generation (L9 ~0.21 J/MH vs L7 ~0.36 J/MH).
- Mature ecosystem, standard Ethernet web UI, and broad pool support.
Cons:
- Noise: typically ~70–75 dB—similar to a vacuum cleaner; not bedroom‑quiet.
- Heat: ~3.3–3.6 kW → ~11,400–12,300 BTU/h; requires serious ventilation.
- Power: needs 200–240 V AC, high current; often a dedicated circuit.
Quick verdict for homes: L7/L9 can work in a garage, utility room, or outbuilding with 200–240 V power and strong ventilation. For quiet living spaces, consider desktop Scrypt miners (see Alternatives) instead.
Key Takeaways
- Hashrate & power: L7 ~8.0–9.3 GH/s @ ~3.0–3.35 kW; L9 ~16 GH/s @ ~3.36 kW (some batches up to ~17 GH/s @ ~3.57 kW).
- Efficiency: L7 ≈ 0.36 J/MH; L9 ≈ 0.21 J/MH (lower is better).
- Noise: plan for ~70–75 dB continuous. Use an isolated space; avoid living rooms/bedrooms.
- Heat: expect ~11,5k BTU/h of exhaust heat—like running two–three space heaters.
- Before you buy (home): confirm 200–240 V availability, ampacity, vent path, and where the noise/heat will go.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Algorithm | Hashrate (typ.) | Power (typ.) | Efficiency (math) | Networking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antminer L7 (various bins) | Scrypt (LTC, DOGE) | 8.0–9.3 GH/s | ~3.0–3.35 kW | ~0.36 J/MH | Ethernet (RJ45) web UI |
| Antminer L9 | Scrypt (LTC, DOGE) | ~16–17 GH/s | ~3.36–3.57 kW | ~0.21 J/MH | Ethernet (RJ45) web UI |
Examples: 16 GH/s = 16,000 MH/s (millions of Scrypt hashes per second). 3.36 kW continuous load = 80.6 kWh/day. 70–75 dB sounds like a vacuum cleaner.
Performance, Noise & Heat
Throughput: L9 roughly doubles L7’s hashrate at similar wall power, improving efficiency.
Noise: Both use multiple high‑RPM server fans. Expect ~70–75 dB in free air; enclosures reduce tone, not raw heat.
Heat: At ~3.3 kW, exhaust heat is ~11,400 BTU/h. Without an exit path (duct/vent), the room will overheat quickly.
Placement tips: put the miner in a garage, utility space, or shed; keep the exhaust path short; avoid soft enclosures that trap heat.
Electricity cost examples (24 h, continuous)
- 3.36 kW (L9 typical):
€0.10/kWh → ~€8.06/day (~€241.9/month)
€0.20/kWh → ~€16.13/day (~€483.8/month)
€0.30/kWh → ~€24.19/day (~€725.7/month) - 3.30 kW (L7 typical):
€0.10/kWh → ~€7.92/day (~€237.6/month)
€0.20/kWh → ~€15.84/day (~€475.2/month)
€0.30/kWh → ~€23.76/day (~€712.8/month)
Formula: kWh = (Watts ÷ 1000) × hours. Some heat may offset winter heating, but plan for summer cooling costs.
Setup & Pooling (quick start)
- Power: These are 200–240 V AC machines. Use a dedicated circuit sized for continuous load; consult a licensed electrician if unsure.
- Network: Connect Ethernet (RJ45) to your router/switch. Keep the path stable for fewer stale shares.
- Placement & ducting: Leave clear intake/exhaust; consider ducting to move hot air outside. Avoid sealed boxes without engineered airflow.
- Pool example (Scrypt merged mining):
stratum+tcp://litecoinpool.org:3333
Username: your LTC address (e.g.,ltc1...) or pool account
Password:x(or as required).
Other reputable options: https://prohashing.com. - Monitoring: After 5–10 minutes, hashrate stabilizes. Watch Rejected/Stale shares, temps, and fan RPM.
- Noise mitigation: Distance and room isolation help. Any sound‑reduction must not choke airflow.
Who Should (and shouldn’t) Buy L7/L9 for Home
- Buy if you have a garage/utility space with 200–240 V, solid ventilation, and neighbors ok with industrial fan noise.
- Skip if you need apartment‑quiet mining. Choose a desktop Scrypt miner instead.
For quiet Scrypt at home, see Mini‑DOGE class miners in our Scrypt index → https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/scrypt/
Alternatives & Comparisons
Explore more devices on our Scrypt reviews index → https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/scrypt/
| Product | Hashrate (typ.) | Power • Efficiency • Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goldshell Mini‑DOGE II | 420 MH/s (335 MH/s LP) | 400 W • ~0.95 J/MH (LP: 260 W • ~0.78 J/MH) • ≤ 35 dB • Ethernet • ✅ Apartment‑friendly |
| Goldshell Mini‑DOGE III | 700–810 MH/s | 400–500 W • ~0.62–0.71 J/MH • more airflow/noise • Ethernet |
| Goldshell LT‑Lite (not desk‑quiet) | 1.6 GH/s | ~1450 W • ~0.9 J/MH • loud; plan ventilation |
Related internal links
- All Scrypt reviews: https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/scrypt/
- Mini‑DOGE II review: https://homeminerhub.com/reviews/scrypt/goldshell-mini-doge-ii/
Verdict
Industrial machines in a home need industrial planning. The L7/L9 deliver huge Scrypt hashrate and strong efficiency, but they also bring ~70–75 dB noise, ~3.3 kW continuous draw, and space‑heater heat. If you have the power, ventilation, and isolation, they can work at home. Otherwise, pick a quiet desktop Scrypt miner and avoid headaches.
Author & testing note: Written by Home Miner Hub. Figures above reflect typical manufacturer specs and field measurements. When in doubt, consult the official specification pages and your electrician.
FAQ's
Is L7/L9 profitable at home rates?
It depends on electricity price and coin prices. Budget 80 kWh/day for L9‑class power before pool fees.
Can I run them on 120 V?
They are designed for 200–240 V. A step‑up transformer is inefficient and risky; use proper 240 V circuits.
How loud are they really?
Expect ~70–75 dB in free air (vacuum‑like). Enclosures change tone, not heat output.
Can I use a soundproof box?
Only if the airflow and heat are engineered correctly. Poor boxes cause overheating and failures.
What about summer?
Plan an exhaust path and consider the extra cooling cost from the added heat.