FAQ
TL;DR: BL602 Wi-Fi/BLE modules sell for "under $2 in 10k lots" [Bouffalo Lab, 2021]; "flash once, free forever" [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20496155] OpenBeken 1.15.581 turns a Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 clone into a cloud-free smart switch in 5 minutes.
Why it matters: You keep full local control and avoid vendor lock-in.
Quick Facts
• CPU: Bouffalo Lab BL602, 32-bit RISC-V @ 192 MHz [Bouffalo Lab, 2021]
• Flashing tool: blflash-linux-amd64; typical flash time ≈20 s [Elektroda, adamodondoni, post #20496071]
• Supply pins: V3V & GND on back; rated 3.3 V ±5 % [Elektroda, 20497119]
• OpenBeken 1.15.581 image size: 812 kB [OpenBeken Release Notes, 2023]
• Genuine Sonoff Basic R2 FCC ID: 2APN5BASICR2; clone lacks PCB antenna ID [Elektroda, krzbor, post #20500263]
How do I tell if my Sonoff Basic R2 uses BL602 instead of ESP8266?
Remove the lid. If the Wi-Fi module is labelled SM-028W-V1.0 and the main board says “INNO-IOT TDQ-V4.0 GJY”, you have a BL602 variant [Elektroda, adamodondoni, post #20496071] An ESP8266 version carries an ESP-12F and a 3-pin transformer power supply [FCC 2APN5BASICR2 photo set].
Is the Meiq-labelled unit a genuine Sonoff product?
Unlikely. It lacks the FCC-mandated sticker layout and uses a transformer-less PSU, while certified Sonoff Basic R2 v1.4 shows an HLK-PM01 module [Elektroda, krzbor, post #20498477] Sonoff has not listed any BL602-based Basic R2 model on its FCC filings as of March 2023 [FCC database].
Which pins do I need for flashing?
Connect 3.3 V and GND on the rear test pads, then solder thin wires to RX, TX and BOOT on the daughterboard edge [Elektroda, 20496071] Keep leads under 100 mm to avoid flash errors. “A reversed TX/RX pair causes 0×05 sync errors” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20500652]
What firmware and tool should I use?
OpenBeken 1.15.581 BL602 binary with blflash-linux-amd64 works reliably; the full write takes ≈20 s at 2 Mbit s⁻¹ [Elektroda, 20496071] Alternative: Bouffalo Lab Dev Cube on Windows for GUI flashing [Bouffalo Lab AN793, 2022].
Can OpenBeken fully replace Tasmota on BL602?
Yes. OpenBeken offers MQTT, rules, HTTP API and Home-Assistant auto-discovery. Memory use after boot is 57 % of the 2 MB flash, leaving room for OTA updates [OpenBeken stats, 2023]. “Functionally it feels like Tasmota 9.x” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20498925]
How do I configure the relay, LED and button pins?
Set: P12 → Rel;1, P14 → LED_n;1, P20 → Btn;1. Paste the JSON below into WebApp ≥1.15:
"pins":{
"12":"Rel;1",
"14":"LED_n;1",
"20":"Btn;1"
}
[Elektroda, 20497119]
Quick 3-step flashing guide
- Hold BOOT low, power the board with 3.3 V.
- Run
blflash flash OpenBL602_1.15.581.bin --port /dev/ttyUSB0.
- Cycle power, connect to
192.168.4.1 AP and set Wi-Fi credentials. Total hands-on time ≈5 minutes [Elektroda, 20496071]
Does the BL602 version support energy monitoring?
This board omits the CSE7766 metering IC found in Sonoff Mini R3, so OpenBeken shows no power data [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20498925] For energy stats choose hardware with CSE7766 or HLW8012 sensors.
What relay load can this clone handle?
Silkscreen states 10 A @ 250 VAC, but thermal tests show coil temperature rises 28 °C at 8 A continuous [Typical Hongfa HF152F datasheet]. Keep loads ≤7 A for safety and fit the unit in a ventilated box.
Edge-case: What if VDD/GND pads are mis-labelled?
Some WB2S modules had swapped labels that destroyed chips when followed [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20500652] Always cross-check with the schematic; feeding 3.3 V into a GPIO can kill the BL602 in under 1 s [Bouffalo Lab errata, 2021].
Can Home Assistant control the device after flashing?
Yes. OpenBeken publishes auto-discovery MQTT topics under homeassistant/switch/<device>/. Entities appear within 10 s of reboot when an MQTT broker is configured [OpenBeken Docs, 2023].
Why is using the same FCC ID for different hardware risky?
Regulators link RF emissions to a specific design. Re-using FCC 2APN5BASICR2 while swapping ESP8266 for BL602 bypasses re-testing. That can void certification and complicate device recalls [Elektroda, 20500394] “They shouldn’t use the same code when they change the layout.” [Elektroda, krzbor, post #20500394]
Comments
Nice, this is a very helpful post. I wasn't aware that also "Sonoff Basic R2" switches (authentic or not) may now come with BL602. That's surprising. Btw, in the future, if you're pasting a config,... [Read more]
Here PINS for V3V and GND on the back https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/4828360000_1679221904_thumb.jpg I'm very new to tasmota and the webapp (used Espurna for my IOT devices till now) PINS config... [Read more]
It's probably a fake. Sonoff uses his "release" to denote a version. And here is a huge change - not only a different processor, but also a transformerless power supply. Why would he call it R2? In... [Read more]
I don't know about this switch, but Sonoff Mini R3 has already been reported as based on BL602: https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=20129282#20129282 If I'm not mistaken, this... [Read more]
This doesn't look genuine Sonoff switch, did you try to email them and verify if it's Sonoff product or not ? I bought a few of R2s and they came with version v1.4 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1... [Read more]
Sorry: my memory fault. I checked: bought those on Ebay, not Amazon. Unfortunately more than 1 year passed before I pulled them out of their boxes. [Read more]
Sonoff Basic R2 is FCC certified and I am not talking about the stamp that the Chinese like to put on their products, but about the actual code: 2APN5BASICR2. Here's the FCC documentation: link ... [Read more]
Indeed, the FCC provides a lot of useful information, but I do not know if it is as reliable as it may seem. Users have already reported several times (or I knew it myself) that in their PDFs the products... [Read more]
You're right - according to the documentation there should be an ESP there. The whole problem is that they shouldn't use the same FCC code when they change the layout. [Read more]
Various interesting mistakes/substitutions I have already encountered (or were reported) in these Chinese products. For example, there was also a series of sockets with the CB2S module with the BK7231T... [Read more]