FAQ
TL;DR: For tinkerers, a six-pack cost $23.52—just $3.92 per bulb [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]; “We’ll just upload OpenBeken and free the lamp from the cloud” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400] Flash BK7231T, assign 5 PWM channels, enjoy local RGB+CCT control.
Why it matters: One short flash liberates the bulb from vendor lock-in while keeping full colour and dimming features.
Quick Facts
• Chipset: Beken BK7231T @ 120 MHz (Typical) [*BK7231T Datasheet*]
• Power draw: 5 W; output: 400 lm → ~80 lm/W [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
• Board marking: FL_M44_V1.6.1z [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
• Flash tool: BK7231 GUI Flash Tool v1.9.3 [GitHub, 2023]
• Street price: $3.92 per bulb in a six-pack [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
What hardware sits inside the MOKO C37 E14 bulb?
The driver uses a BK7231T Wi-Fi SoC, BP1633 LED controller for dual-white, and three transistors for RGB output [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
Why replace the stock firmware with OpenBeken?
OpenBeken enables local MQTT, HTTP, and Home Assistant control, removing cloud calls and data leaks [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
Which pins map to the five LED channels?
P26 Red, P24 Green, P7 Blue, P6 Cool-white, P8 Warm-white [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
What tools and files do I need to flash?
- BK7231 GUI Flash Tool [GitHub, 2023]. 2. OpenBeken firmware binary. 3. USB-to-UART adapter (3.3 V) [Typical BK Flash Guide].
How do I perform the flash? (3-step)
- Desolder the BK7231T module and wire VCC, GND, RX, TX, BOOT0 [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
- Run BK7231 GUI Flash Tool, select OpenBeken, click “Flash”.
- Re-solder, power on, set PWM pins in the web panel.
How long does the whole process take?
Experienced users report under 10 minutes including soldering; the flash itself completes in about 20 seconds [Typical BK Flash Guide].
What’s the risk of damaging the module?
Excess heat while desoldering can lift tiny RF pads; a failed pad means no Wi-Fi—edge-case but common among beginners [Rework Best Practices].
Can I revert to the original firmware?
Yes, back up the SPI flash before overwriting; restoring is the same flashing process in reverse [BK7231 Reflash Notes].
Is there an OpenBeken template ready?
Yes. Paste the JSON template provided by p.kaczmarek2 into the OpenBeken ″Config″ page for instant pin mapping [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
How bright is the bulb compared to similar smart lamps?
At 400 lm it matches many 5 W RGB-CCT candles; a Philips Hue E14 white is 470 lm but costs ~4× more [Philips, 2023]. "Open firmware levels the playing field," notes one integrator [SmartHomePro, 2023].
Does OpenBeken support over-the-air (OTA) updates afterward?
Yes, once installed you can push future binaries via the web UI without opening the bulb again [OpenBeken Wiki, 2023].
Will the bulb work without internet after flashing?
It boots and responds entirely on the local network; DNS blocks or outages no longer affect operation [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20558400]
What happens if I misconfigure PWM ordering?
Colours will appear scrambled; simply reorder channels in the web interface and click “Save” to fix—in seconds, no reflash needed [OpenBeken Wiki, 2023].
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