🪙 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
- Launch ESP Flasher
- Select the file: Kernelcon-BTC.bin
- You’ll find it in: Desktop → Kernelcon folder
- 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
After flashing:
- Look 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:
Pool
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 🎟️