[BK7231N/CBU] Single WiFi 8044 SmartLED light switch

p.kaczmarek2 31 Jul 2023 06:07 0 2787 Cool? (+5)

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TL;DR

The SmartLED 8044 WiFi light switch was reflashed from Tuya firmware to OpenBeken for fully local Home Assistant control.
Inside, the switch uses a CBU module based on the BK7231N, plus an AMS1117-3.3V regulator and an RH6016C touch button controller.
The switch sold for PLN 54 and appears in 1xCLY701-1G or 8044 variants, including 2- and 3-button versions.
Flashing used BK7231GUIFlashTool with 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX on the CBU pinout, and it worked seamlessly without desoldering.

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I will present here the process of changing the firmware of another product popular on the Polish auction site, this time the WiFi-controlled light switch model SmartLED 8044. The purpose of changing the firmware will be to free it from the cloud and pair it with Home Assistant, this time 100% locally. I will put here the full GPIO template of this device generated by my flasher based on the Tuya configuration partition.

Product purchase
The product was bought in several pieces by one of our forum members, for whom I only changed the firmware in this switch (actually: in the switches, because I got some to rework) the firmware, so that he could connect them locally with HA. Thank you for sharing your play equipment. Below is a screenshot of the auction:

PLN 54 is a good price for a product that we can get with free shipping (in the right package) within 2 days, even at a parcel locker. We also have a choice of color here, as well as a similar version with 2 or 3 buttons.
The model name is 1xCLY701-1G or 8044.
parameters:

Let's see what we get in the kit:

there are screws for mounting - and the switch:

Interior 8044
I skip the tests with the Tuya application - this has been discussed on the forum many times. I will only briefly present the interior and then show the specific procedure for changing the firmware and the GPIO template.
We undermine the front:

Inside there is a CBU - a module based on the BT/WiFi BK7231N chip:
Here is its specification:
https://developer.tuya.com/en/docs/iot/cbu-module-datasheet?id=Ka07pykl5dk4u

On the board I also see AMS1117-3.3V, which converts 5V to 3.3V for the WiFi module, and a touch button controller, RH6016C.

You can also see places for two more circuits for the other two touch buttons.
Here is the CBU itself, even without looking at the Tuya documentation, you can guess where the power is, you can see the 100nF SMD decoupling capacitor:

And a glance at the power supply - we have a BP2525 power supply here again. The photo also shows one of the three relay transistors, SMD code J3Y.

Firmware change
We're playing OpenBeken , it will provide us with a Tasmota-style experience and compatibility with its ecosystem (to some extent), compatibility with its JSON format, some commands, and with the Tasmota Device Groups system. We flash with the flasher, through the converter to USB and UART, according to the readme:
https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool
CBU pinout we have here:
https://developer.tuya.com/en/docs/iot/cbu-module-datasheet?id=Ka07pykl5dk4u
In addition, I made a graphic showing what and how to connect:

This flasher can download the latest OBK release by itself. We just solder 3.3V, GND, RX and TX, perform a power cycle and wait for the end of the upload.

There is no philosophy here, no blocked RX/TX line, no TuyaMCU, no need to desolder anything, no problems.
I got the configuration like this:

Template:

Summary
Changing the firmware here was seamless. You just have to do four February and off you go. The product is relatively cheap (as for our Polish market - the distributor also has to earn money), fast delivery (for parcel lockers), nothing to complain about. After uploading the OBK, you can read the tutorials from our Elektroda.com channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@elektrodacom
I would like to add that I recently removed the configuration of Tuya devices with my flasher, which also speeds up the work. I already linked the details in the thread.
A reader gave me some of these switches to be processed, also in a triple and double version, so if something surprises me inside them, I will soon complete the topic or place a separate topic about its related version (probably the 8046 model).

About Author

p.kaczmarek2 wrote 14601 posts with rating 12617 , helped 654 times. Been with us since 2014 year.

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FAQ

TL;DR: For Home Assistant users who want local control, this SmartLED 8044 uses 4 programming wires and, as the author says, "no problems" during flashing. Install OpenBeken on the BK7231N-based CBU module, then apply the posted GPIO template for relay, button, and WiFi LED control without the Tuya cloud. [#20674494]

Why it matters: This FAQ shows the fastest known path in the thread from a cheap Tuya-based wall switch to fully local smart-home control.

Option	Control path	Home Assistant use	Flashing complexity
Original Tuya firmware	Tuya app / cloud	Not described as fully local	Not needed
OpenBeken firmware	100% local	Intended for local HA pairing	Simple UART flash

Key insight: The SmartLED 8044 is unusually easy to reflash because the author reports direct access to 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX, with no blocked serial lines, no TuyaMCU, and no desoldering. [#20674494]

Quick Facts

Approximate street price in the thread is PLN 54, with free shipping in the right offer and delivery in about 2 days to a parcel locker. [#20674494]
The switch uses a CBU module built around the BK7231N Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth chip, making it compatible with the OpenBeken workflow shown in the post. [#20674494]
Programming uses 4 core connections: 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX. The author says a power cycle starts the upload process. [#20674494]
The board includes an AMS1117-3.3V regulator that converts 5V to 3.3V, plus an RH6016C touch controller, a BP2525 power supply stage, and J3Y relay transistors. [#20674494]
The posted OpenBeken template maps GPIO20 = Btn;1, GPIO22 = WifiLED_n;0, and GPIO28 = Rel;1 for the single-gang 8044. [#20674494]

How do I flash OpenBeken onto a SmartLED 8044 single-gang WiFi light switch with a BK7231N CBU module?

You flash it over UART with BK7231GUIFlashTool and four wire connections. 1. Solder 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX to the CBU module. 2. Connect a USB-to-UART adapter and start the OpenBeken upload in the flasher. 3. Power-cycle the switch and wait until flashing finishes, then load the GPIO template. The author describes the process as seamless on this model. [#20674494]

What GPIO template should I use for the SmartLED 8044 (1xCLY701-1G) after installing OpenBeken?

Use the template with GPIO20 = Btn;1, GPIO22 = WifiLED_n;0, and GPIO28 = Rel;1. The posted JSON identifies the device as vendor: SmartLED, name: 8044 1 Gang Smart Switch, model: 1xCLY701-1G 8044, chip: BK7231N, and board: CBU. Those three pin assignments are the key settings for button, status LED, and relay operation. [#20674494]

Which UART pins and power connections are needed to program the Tuya CBU module in the SmartLED 8044?

You need 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX. The post says to solder exactly those four lines, connect them through a USB-to-UART converter, then perform a power cycle to start the upload. No extra boot strap wire or desoldering step is mentioned for this switch. [#20674494]

What is the Tuya CBU module, and how does it relate to the BK7231N chip in SmartLED switches?

"CBU" is a Tuya Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth module that hosts the main radio and control chip, exposing power and serial pins for integration and flashing. In this switch, the CBU module is specifically described as being based on the BK7231N chip. That means the SmartLED 8044’s wireless and firmware platform live on the CBU module itself. [#20674494]

What is OpenBeken, and why is it used instead of the original Tuya cloud firmware in the SmartLED 8044?

"OpenBeken" is replacement device firmware that runs on BK7231-based hardware, provides Tasmota-style behavior, and enables local smart-home control without vendor cloud dependence. In this thread, it is used to free the SmartLED 8044 from the Tuya cloud and pair it with Home Assistant 100% locally. The author also notes compatibility with some Tasmota JSON formats, commands, and Device Groups. [#20674494]

How can I connect a reflashed SmartLED 8044 locally to Home Assistant without using the Tuya cloud?

Install OpenBeken first, because the thread’s goal is local Home Assistant pairing after removing Tuya cloud dependence. After flashing, apply the posted GPIO template so the relay, button, and WiFi LED work correctly, then use the OpenBeken setup path referenced by the author’s tutorials. The thread explicitly frames this result as 100% local operation. [#20674494]

Why is flashing the SmartLED 8044 described as straightforward compared with other Tuya devices?

It is straightforward because the author found no common Tuya flashing obstacles on this board. He states there is no blocked RX/TX line, no TuyaMCU, no need to desolder anything, and no problems during upload. That removes several failure points that often complicate UART flashing on other Tuya devices. [#20674494]

Which components are inside the SmartLED 8044 switch, including the AMS1117-3.3V, RH6016C, BP2525, and J3Y transistor?

The switch contains a CBU BK7231N module, an AMS1117-3.3V regulator, an RH6016C touch button controller, a BP2525 power supply stage, and J3Y SMD relay transistors. The AMS1117 converts 5V to 3.3V for the Wi‑Fi module. The photos also show board positions for two extra touch-control circuits used in multi-button variants. [#20674494]

How do I identify the relay, button, and WiFi LED GPIOs on the SmartLED 8044 CBU board?

Identify them from the posted OpenBeken template generated from the Tuya configuration partition. It assigns GPIO28 to the relay, GPIO20 to the button, and GPIO22 to the active-low WiFi LED as WifiLED_n;0. Those mappings are the thread’s direct answer for the single-gang 8044. [#20674494]

What does the RH6016C touch button controller do in the SmartLED 8044 light switch?

The RH6016C handles the touch button input stage. The author identifies it as the touch button controller and notes that the PCB also has places for two more circuits for additional touch buttons. That fits the product family’s single-, double-, and triple-button layout options. [#20674494]

OpenBeken vs original Tuya firmware: which is better for local control and Home Assistant integration on a BK7231N switch?

OpenBeken is better if your goal is local control and Home Assistant integration. The thread states the firmware change is done specifically to free the switch from the cloud and connect it to Home Assistant 100% locally. Original Tuya firmware is associated with the Tuya application, which the author deliberately skips in favor of local operation. [#20674494]

What should I check if BK7231GUIFlashTool does not upload firmware successfully to a SmartLED 8044 over USB-to-UART?

First check the 3.3V, GND, RX, and TX wiring and then repeat the power cycle. The thread’s working method depends on those four connections and a restart to begin flashing. Also verify that you are not assuming extra complications, because this model is reported to need no desoldering, no TuyaMCU handling, and no blocked RX/TX workaround. [#20674494]

How do the single-, double-, and triple-button SmartLED 8044/8046 style switches differ internally and in firmware configuration?

They appear to share a common platform, with expansion points for more touch channels on the PCB. The author says the single-gang unit has visible places for two more circuits for the other touch buttons, and he mentions having double and triple versions to process, likely including model 8046. That suggests related hardware with different GPIO templates or populated sections. [#20674494]

What is Tasmota Device Groups support in OpenBeken, and how is it relevant for SmartLED WiFi switches?

It is an OpenBeken feature that gives some compatibility with the Tasmota ecosystem for grouped device behavior. The author says OpenBeken offers a Tasmota-style experience, compatibility with Tasmota JSON format and some commands, plus Tasmota Device Groups support. That makes a reflashed SmartLED switch easier to fit into setups already built around Tasmota-like workflows. [#20674494]

How much does the SmartLED 8044 typically cost, and what do you get in the package when buying this switch?

The thread reports a price of about PLN 54. The package shown includes the switch itself and mounting screws, with the added benefit of free shipping in the right offer and delivery in about 2 days. The listing also offered color choices and similar 2-button and 3-button versions. [#20674494]

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