The caps might have blown up, but it's unlikely they were the cause of the fault. Unless they're cheap knock-offs, those SP-Caps are all rated to a working voltage of at least 105C (some are 125C) and they'll survive higher than that. What they don't like is an overvoltage situation. Those specific ones are rated to 6.3V, but if something happened where the full 12V (or most if it) was across that chip and cap, it would look very similar to that.

They won't necessarily accept returns directly from someone who isn't their customer, as its possible for people to cause problems. For example if a user sends an S5 to Bitmain, but they purchased from a reseller. Bitmain says they will refund the item, the reseller says "nope" and ignores everyone.

Tldr if you're purchasing from a regional reseller, contact them if someone goes wrong with that sale. It becomes far too complicated when trying to make it a 3 way transaction.

No one is trying to buy from a re-seller and return to Bitmain for a refund!
The discussion is about warranty service, for which Bitmain can and would always repair or replace defective merchandise. I can't imagine a scenario where the issue a refund in lieu of repair or replacement during the 3 month warranty period.

The only remaining variable is when was the item purchased to determine warranty period, but that concern should be irrelevant during the first 3 months after the release of a new product since ALL items are under warranty at that point.

Yes, but we're not talking about the contract for sale, we're talking about the manufacturer's warranty.

If you buy an appliance at Walmart or Target or other retailer you usually can return a defective item to them for a cash refund but the manufacturer will often still provide a method to get a repair or replacement directly or through a service center. Appliance makers don't usually tell end-users to take a hike if it wasn't purchased directly from them.

Yeah that's okay. If the chips [sensor] were at 80C I'd still be surprised if there was enough radiating heat to warp the [assumed] PP/PC sheets so its a weird one. The 80C safeguard does work though, its been tested.

S5 firmware fan speed mods .....

I stumbled accross this topic https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/940250 where they had a mod for the S4, and thought about making a firmware mod for the S5, in the process, the person who made the original mod to the module controlling the S4 fan has come up with a mod for the S5. Here's the link to the message: https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/940250.msg10327889#msg10327889

I have not tested the firmware as I received my S5 with the stock fan DOA (got in touch with bitmain and they want me to take videos of it and or buy something from them before  ... blah blah ... for another day that one!). If anyone is willing to give the modded firmware, please give it a go and provide feedback. there are links on the messaage, but I'll reproduce them below too:

1. fan_6 - slower than stock - https://mega.co.nz/#!MVtHXBKC!VEymK0FxLpuXTl5ZpxnNxlQNKOsp15V0vRy18Vb7dPI
2. fan_3 - slower than fan_6 - https://mega.co.nz/#!JFNnQALR!3x501jLm1GyzUlDMZ4USWGmDHYCyZKSSiNp4UWRWUnM
3. stock firmware (also on bitmain site) - https://mega.co.nz/#!1ENCRYIb!pbSf4wXt4nwX_0IYTH1LRh0mZ9_Gw3KgbCel8zyhOjo

If you try the firmware, please provide feedback either here or on the thread linked above to lanfeusst. This mod can also be the pilot for a permanent mod for updating cgminer et al!

No, it can't brick it but you have to watch the temps (must be < 70C).
When you reboot, the modification will be gone, it is not persistent as it is not in the firmware.

Hi guys,
After the software mod done for the fan speed of the s4 (see here and here) , here is the s5 fan mod able to change the S5 fan speed by changing software.   This allows to effectively  decrease the noise from the s5 AND to decrease the power consumption by a maximum of 10 watts.
It should not be used if the temperature is > 70°C. Check that the stop miner when temp is over 80°C box is checked in the configuration page.

If this helps you, consider my bitcoin address :
1NfUptoShEtSD2SQV2f45Xr1bTysFnsHiU

I have modified the bitmain_spi.ko file into two others binaries which gives differents fan speed.

First version with lower fan speed:

Download here :  
https://mega.co.nz/#!MVtHXBKC!VEymK0FxLpuXTl5ZpxnNxlQNKOsp15V0vRy18Vb7dPI

Second version with much lower fan speed: it should not be used if the temperature is > 70°C. Check that the stop miner when temp is over 80°C box is checked in the configuration page.

Download here :
https://mega.co.nz/#!JFNnQALR!3x501jLm1GyzUlDMZ4USWGmDHYCyZKSSiNp4UWRWUnM
The original is here if you need it :
https://mega.co.nz/#!1ENCRYIb!pbSf4wXt4nwX_0IYTH1LRh0mZ9_Gw3KgbCel8zyhOjo

To use it :
Change 192.168.0.16 with the Ip address of your miner


scp bitmain_spi_s5_fan_6.ko root@192.168.0.16:/config/           #Copy the file to the miner

then ssh to the miner :
ssh root@192.168.0.16
then :
cplib/modules/3.8.13/kernel/drivers/bitmain/bitmain_spi.koconfig/bitmain_spi_original.ko        #Makes a backup
cpconfig/bitmain_spi_s5_fan_6.kolib/modules/3.8.13/kernel/drivers/bitmain/bitmain_spi.ko         # Copy the new file to the good place
cdetc/init.d/ #Change directories
./cgminer.sh stop         # Stop cgminer
sleep 1
./cgminer.sh start         # Stop cgminer

#Wait 30 secondes

Check the web page at 192.168.0.16, you should be able to see the new lower fan speeds

If my new binaries help you and you are satisfied, help me by sending some bitcoins to my address:
1NfUptoShEtSD2SQV2f45Xr1bTysFnsHiU

Warning: Do nothing you don't understand ; No warranties whatsoever are given by me ; this could not work or be useless ; this could burn your S5 or make it useless ; this could void your warranty with bitmain.

As its a custom firmware, there is always a chance it can brick and then you'll have to send your controller in to be reflashed. You should also be vigilent and check nothing has been mixed in or changed by going through the source yourself.

And as a reminder, modifying the designed cooling system (by replacing fans or custom firmware) WILL invalidate your warranty. You should consider this a mod that you undertake at entirely your own risk.