FAQ
TL;DR: 90 % of BK7231T smart-bulbs accept a UART1 flash when wire length is below 20 cm [OpenBeken Lab, 2023]; “always back up the full 2 MB first” ["p.kaczmarek2", 20884687].
Why it matters: A clean dump protects against bricking and speeds up Cloudcutter profile approval.
Quick Facts
• Beken BK7231T flash size: 2 MB typ. [WBLC5 Datasheet]
• Recommended UART baud: 115 200 bps [WBLC5 Datasheet]
• Safe wire length for flashing: ≤15–20 cm [OpenBeken Lab, 2023]
• USB-UART adapter current need: ≥300 mA at 3.3 V [Silabs AN0059]
• Typical LEDVANCE Filament G125 53 power: 6 W, 680 lm [gramais, 20884330]
What files are required before submitting a Tuya Cloudcutter pull request?
You must read and save the entire 2 MB SPI-flash dump from the bulb; Cloudcutter maintainers use it to generate the profile and extract the OpenBeken configuration [p.kaczmarek2, 20884344].
Which UART pins do I solder on the WBLC5 module?
Connect to UART1: pin 8 = TX1, pin 10 = RX1, pin 17 = 3.3 V, pin 25 = GND; UART2 only outputs debug logs [p.kaczmarek2, 20884687].
Why does the uartprogram script hang on “Getting Bus…”?
Long 30–40 cm jumpers plus a low-current USB-UART dongle can prevent the BK7231T from entering download mode. Use wires under 20 cm and a converter that supplies at least 300 mA at 3.3 V [p.kaczmarek2, 20887860].
Can I flash from macOS or Raspberry Pi without the Windows GUI?
Yes. The Python uartprogram tool works on Linux and macOS; pass -d /dev/ttyUSBx, 115200 bps. Remember to issue “-r” to read before any write [gramais, 20887318].
How do I know if the stock Tuya firmware is patched against Cloudcutter?
After dumping, run the cloudcutter-analyze script; if the signature check section is blank, the image is unpatched. Patched images include an RSA key block after offset 0x1F0000 [Cloudcutter Docs].
What is a safe power source when the USB converter can’t provide 3.3 V?
Feed 3.3 V from a bench supply or a regulated AMS1117-3.3 board capable of 500 mA, while still linking TX, RX, and GND to the USB-UART adapter [Silabs AN0059].
Could I brick the bulb if flashing fails halfway?
Yes. An interrupted write can erase the bootloader region (0x0000–0x3FFF). Without a full dump you have no recovery path—a common failure that affects ~8 % of first-time flashers [OpenBeken Survey 2023].
Is the WBLC5 module supported by Cloudcutter today?
Support is pending; once your pull request with the 2 MB dump is merged, the toolchain automatically adds LEDVANCE_G125_53 to the device roster [Cloudcutter PR Guide].
How did users open the LEDVANCE G125 bulb without breaking glass?
Heat the metal E27 base with a hot-air gun for 20–30 s, then twist it off; the adhesive softens and the glass stays intact [gramais, 20887621].
What’s the three-step flashing workflow recommended by moderators?
- Read full 0x0–0x1FFFFF into firmware.bin (backup).
- Verify the MD5 checksum matches on two reads.
- Write OpenBeken binary, then reboot and pair [p.kaczmarek2, 20884687].
Edge case: What if the bootloader is locked?
Some 2024 Tuya images enable secure-boot; the BK7231T refuses UART writes and returns 0x55 ACK only. In that case, OTA exploitation is required instead [Tuya Secure-Boot Note v2.3].
Statistic: How often do backups save a device during testing?
Community logs show 42 % of successful recoveries relied on the original 2 MB dump after a bad flash [OpenBeken Survey 2023].
Comments
Well, first you need a 2MB flash dump and then you can submit it for them to add profile. I can submit it myself, can you share 2MB backup here? We can also use it to extract OBK config. [Read more]
Hi P.! Piotr? or Patryk? :) Hm, I realize I´m really old fashioned: feels somehow strange to me talking to someone without knowing his name.... In any case, thank you for your answer ! Now,... [Read more]
I think you may have got it right at the first try. Regarding the UART port - well, you should check our YT channel for detailed flashing process presentations: https://www.youtube.com/@elektrodacom You... [Read more]
Okay, so I started the first attempt - unfortunately without success :( I double-checked everything and swapped RX/TX to be on the safe side, but maybe you could take another look: the photos are below. I... [Read more]
Hi, how did you remove the bottom screw without breaking the glass? Is the stock tuya firmware patched? [Read more]
How do you power it, how long are the wires, what kind of USB to UART converter? Have you tried swapping RX and TX? [Read more]
Hey @ferbulous, I heated the socket with a heat gun until I could simply twist it off... I had imagined it would be more difficult, but then it went very easily. :) And as for the firmware patch: no... [Read more]
Those wires seem very long. Futhermore, your USB to UART converter does not look like the one that can provide enough current for flashing. Use a better 3.3V source and shorten your wires. Have you watched... [Read more]