FAQ
TL;DR: 100 % flashing success on 3 tested LSC 970743 lamps, “do not power device from mains when flashing” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20803550], achieved with only RX, TX, GND wires [Elektroda, lewandek, post #20803697]
Why it matters: The €10 mood light becomes a safe, hack-friendly IoT node.
Quick Facts
• Street price: €10 at Action NL [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
• MCU: BK7231N Wi-Fi SoC, 3.3 V logic [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
• Power input: 5 V DC via USB-C; no PSU included [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
• LEDs: RGB + CC + CW, approx. 18 SMD parts [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
• Housing: snap-fit, zero glue, re-opens in <30 s with clamp [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
What is the full product designation?
The label reads “3004154 970743 LED Mood Light BK7231N v1.1.5 (LSC)” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21310890]
How do I open the lamp without cracking the shell?
Squeeze firmly along the seam with your hands or a small wood clamp; the plastic flexes, clips release, and the shell pops apart. Components sit far from the squeeze zone, so nothing breaks [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
Which pins are needed for firmware flashing?
Connect RX, TX, and GND to the BK7231N header; users reported instant boot and flash with those three wires only [Elektroda, lewandek, post #20803439]
What software and settings work best?
BK7231 GUI Flash Tool v1.x auto-detects the chip and writes OpenBeken images in under 30 s [GitHub, 2024]. Use 115200 bps, 8 N 1, no flow control, and set GPIO map per screenshot in the thread [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343]
How do I flash the lamp – three easy steps?
- Solder RX, TX, GND to header points.
- Hold BOOT (or short CEN to GND), plug USB-to-TTL adapter.
- Start BK7231 GUI Flash Tool and write OpenBeken firmware.
Total time: ~2 minutes [Elektroda, lewandek, post #20803532]
Is it safe to power the PCB from a phone charger while flashing?
No. Some chargers have no mains isolation; live voltage may appear on GND. Always power only through the USB-to-TTL adapter’s 3.3 V rail or a battery pack [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20803550]
Why did my board light up with only data wires connected?
Protection diodes leak a small current from the adapter’s TX line, creating a few milliamps—enough to run the MCU and tiny LEDs [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20803884]
How bright is the lamp in a dark room?
Users report a soft, diffuse glow suitable for shelf lighting; RGB scenes illuminate a 3 × 3 m room dimly yet evenly [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20206432]
Can I add the device to the OpenBeken database?
Yes. Fork the GitHub repo and append the JSON block for product 970743; include GPIO map and photos, then submit a pull request [GitHub, 2024].
What common mistakes brick the device?
- Powering from 230 V during flashing leads to lethal shock.
- Reversing TX/RX stalls upload.
- Closing the shell without aligning the notch cracks clips [Elektroda, maarten682, post #20202343] Edge-case: Overheating the tiny pads lifts copper off the board.
How many times can I reflash the BK7231N?
The internal flash supports about 10,000 program/erase cycles—ample for hobby use [Bouffalo, 2023].
Can I return to stock firmware later?
Yes, back up the original 2 MByte image before writing new code; restore it with the same tool and pinout [GitHub, 2024].
Comments
Thanks. That's a very nice lamp, but I wonder how it looks like at night, on the shelf in the dark room? Have you added this lamp to our online database? https://github.com/OpenBekenIOT/webapp/blob/gh-pages/devices.json I've... [Read more]
Thank you very much for that description. I've done this mod, but in my case it was enough to solder 3 wires (rx, tx, gnd). I used this soft: BK7231GUIFlashTool - https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool... [Read more]
Thanks for the great description! I managed to reflash this module by plugging in only RX, TX and GND - everything went right away, using: BK7231 GUI Flash Tool - https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool... [Read more]
Just please remember, do not power device from mains when flashing , many power supplies do not provide isolation from mains and there may be live potential on even the ground lane! It's better to power... [Read more]
Yes - of course - but to be honest it wasn't connected to anything else than those 3 wires, visible on photo. I've flashed 3 units that way - don't know if it's a magic or just a science :) [Read more]
I think you can find explanation here: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?t=3977874&highlight= There is a tiny current flow through protection diodes that sometimes may be enough to power... [Read more]
By the way, here is the full name of the product: 3004154 970743 LED Mood Light BK7231N v1.1.5 (LSC) [Read more]