ESP32 Bitcoin Miner

🪙 Kernelcon NerdMiner Guide

Lottery-style Bitcoin mining (for educational purposes)

This project demonstrates how Bitcoin mining works using a low-power ESP32. Think of it like a digital lottery ticket: the chances are extremely small, but the learning value is very real.

🔧 What You’ll Need

  • ESP32 dev board
  • USB cable
  • Laptop with ESP Flasher installed

⚡ Step 1: Flash the Firmware

Use ESP Flasher to load the firmware.

👉 You can download it here:
https://github.com/Jason2866/ESP_Flasher

  1. Launch ESP Flasher
  2. Select the file: Kernelcon-BTC.bin
  3. You’ll find it in: Desktop → Kernelcon folder
  4. Flash it to your ESP32

Firmware BIN is also available here: https://www.hackspace.io/wp-content/uploads/Kernelcon-BTC.bin

📡 Step 2: Connect to the Miner

  • Load this page on your PHONE!
  • Using your phone – -lLook for WiFi network: NerdMinerAP
  • Connect using password: MineYourCoins

Once connected, your browser should open automatically. If not, go to:

http://192.168.4.1

⚙️ Step 3: Configure Mining

Enter:

Click “Configure Wifi”

Use the default or:

public-pool.io

Bitcoin Address

If you don’t have one, you can use this shared address:

bc1qh5zvskf9tg9lfsn8p77vc0gk98u5xtvjxerwau

🏷️ Identify Your Miner (Important)

You can tag your miner by appending a name:

bc1qh5zvskf9tg9lfsn8p77vc0gk98u5xtvjxerwau.kernelcon
bc1qh5zvskf9tg9lfsn8p77vc0gk98u5xtvjxerwau.johnsmith

This lets you find your specific device later.

📶 Step 4: Connect to Kernelcon WiFi

Use:

  • Network: kernelcon-iot
  • Password: hackspaceio

Save settings and allow the device to reboot.

🖥️ (Optional) Step 5: View Serial Console

If you want to see what’s happening under the hood:

  • Use tools like:
    • PuTTY
    • Termite
  • Connect to the ESP32’s COM port
  • Set baud rate: 115200

You’ll see:

  • WiFi connection
  • Pool connection
  • Mining activity

🌐 Step 6: Watch Your Miner

After a few minutes, your device should appear on:

👉 Public Pool
https://web.public-pool.io

If using the shared address, view here:

👉 https://web.public-pool.io/#/app/bc1qh5zvskf9tg9lfsn8p77vc0gk98u5xtvjxerwau

🧠 Final Notes

  • This is not profitable mining
  • It’s a hands-on way to understand:
    • hashing
    • mining pools
    • probability

Think of it as:

A tiny computer buying lottery tickets for Bitcoin blocks 🎟️

IMPORTANT NOTE: Press and hold the BOOT button for 5 seconds to factory reset the miner. You will need to do this to reconfigure the miner for your BTC address and to setup access on your wifi at home.