What processor is inside the GHome EP2 smart plug?
Most recent batches host a Realtek RTL8720CF (W701 module); earlier lots carry an ESP8285 module [Elektroda, Raufaser, #21005786; Hilgude, #21277836].
Teardown and Exploration of GHome Smart Plug EP2 [W701/BL0937] for OpenBeken Support
TL;DR
- The GHome Smart Plug EP2 with W701/BL0937 is torn down to inspect its internals for possible OpenBeken support.
- The teardown reveals a separate communication PCB with a W701 chip, and the U.FL antenna connector must be unplugged to reach it.
- Opening the plug is tricky, requiring the protective contact to be unsoldered and several screws removed before the main and comm PCBs can be examined.
I bought a Smart Plug on Amazon before I even know things like OpenBeken even existed.
I will post my teardown here in high hopes a clever mind can make the device supported
The outside:
(It is a little tricky to open this plug, that is why it looks so beaten up ...)
After taking off the cover you have to unsolder the protective contact and unscrew some screws. (already done in the picture)
Then you can take out the internals. Here is the probably uninteresting bottom:
To get to the communication PCB you have to unplug the antenna U.FL connector.
The front PCB where the communication board is connected to:
Detail view on the communication PCB with W701 chip. Front and Back
And here is how the comm PCB is soldered to the main PCB.
Maybe someone can add support for this device?!
Comments
I haven't seen that kind of W701 module before. Can you desolder it and show the high quality photos of the pad markings, where is VDD, GND, etc? [Read more]
Mmmhhh I am trying to desolder at the moment. It is difficult to reach the back side of the solder spots. The front side is pretty clean. Already tried hot air and soldering iron with desolder wire... [Read more]
I had a similiar device some time ago. It was based on ESP8266. Here you can see my teardown: https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3941251.html I just desoldered top board from the bottom board. [Read more]
I managed to get this nasty little fella out. First the side with the W701 https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/1143914600_1710535968_thumb.jpg And now the other side with the BL0937 and some labels. The... [Read more]
found elsewhere but looks to be a W701H, so maybe pins are diff https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/2716082100_1710537491_thumb.jpg https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/8406209200_1710537501_thumb.jpg from... [Read more]
Nice find. Thanks a lot. What means 2x VCC ? 6,6V? Edit: I got it. Both pins are VCC. Sorry. I mean i could solder some wires and see if the thing draws current ... Added after 1 [minutes]:... [Read more]
Excellent and exciting!! I'm not sure what's next tbh. Ideally I'd be a developer and I'd help with OBK expansion, but I'm not at that point just yet. [Read more]
This is a very rare chip. You need to wait a bit for us to add support for this platform. How many pieces of this plug do you have? [Read more]
So i inspected the PCB a little further and traced the outer pads to the W701. That is what i got: https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/7050653700_1710610265_thumb.jpg So it seems to have the same pin out... [Read more]
I have 8-10 of that model. I'd be happy to send you one if you want to give it a try [Read more]
Thanks, are you somewhere near Poland? I don't know how high the shipping ratio would be if you're outside EU. [Read more]
I live in Sweden so I don't think shipping will be that expensive [Read more]
Got some EP2-A recently in a pack of 4 explictly advertised as runnning an ESP8285. The full teardown will be exactly the same. The internal and external is the same device, except the module, is... [Read more]
https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/4797252600_1730074652_thumb.jpg [Read more]
Interesting, so you've got a different or older batch? When are they using W701, and when ESP? Do you have Tasmota template? [Read more]
Hard to say why there is two versions of these plugs ... The Amazon vendor explicitly advertised it as it can be Tasmota converted with Tuya-Convert. See this : https://amzn.eu/d/4jDsu5C Here is... [Read more]
This sounds very interesting. Once you finish your repair, can you consider posting it as step by step tutorial in our Smart Home Tutorials section? I would like to make some more repairs too, but... [Read more]
https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic4093142.html - RTL8720CF development underway [Read more]
New guide for those WBR3 chips: WBR2, WBR3, WBRU, W701-VA2-CG pinout, datasheet, flashing for Home Assistant [Read more]