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[BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

adamodondoni 4563 10

TL;DR

  • Sonoff Basic R2 units bought on Amazon turned out to use a BL602-based IoT Meiq board instead of the expected ESP chip.
  • The board is marked INNO---IOT TDQ-V4.0 GJY 2020.2.28, and the Wi‑Fi module is SM-028W-V1.0.
  • OpenBeken BL602 OpenBL602_1.15.581 was flashed from Linux with blflash-linux-amd64, using P12 for Rel, P14 for Led_n, and P20 for Btn.
  • The flash works free from cloud services, but the 3V3, GND, RX, TX, and Boot pins on the daughterboard are very hard to solder.
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  • Sonoff Basic R2 Bought on amazon thinking was ESP based, instead these are BL602 (don't know if fake or real Sonoff).

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    Meiq sticker attached on the back of the box.

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    Board is marked: INNO---IOT TDQ-V4.0 GJY 2020.2.28
    Wifi module is marked: SM-028W-V1.0

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    Pins for 3V3 (V+), GND (V-) , RX, TX and Boot are available on the side of doughterboard facing button and relay (very hard for me to solder).
    3V3 and GND are more easily solded on the back of motherboard.


    Flashed with OpenBeken BL602 (OpenBL602_1.15.581 - from linux pc with blflash-linux-amd64) works free from cloud services.
    PINS configured as:
    P12: Rel
    P14: Led_n
    P20: Btn

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    adamodondoni
    Level 2  
    Offline 
    adamodondoni wrote 3 posts with rating 1. Been with us since 2023 year.
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  • #2 20496155
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    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, please consider just copying it from "Web Application", here:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    It's always easier to use JSON format.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #3 20497119
    adamodondoni
    Level 2  
    Here PINS for V3V and GND on the back

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    I'm very new to tasmota and the webapp (used Espurna for my IOT devices till now)
    PINS config JSON from webapp:
    "pins": {
    "12": "Rel;1",
    "14": "LED_n;1",
    "20": "Btn;1"
    }
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  • #4 20498477
    krzbor
    Level 29  
    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 addition, the inscription DIY (although thanks to @p.kaczmarek2 it can actually be DIY). The housing itself also differs in descriptions from the SONOFF R2 available on the market.

    Added after 14 [minutes]:

    Isn't it this model:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
  • #5 20498925
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    I don't know about this switch, but Sonoff Mini R3 has already been reported as based on BL602:
    https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3889041-120.html#20129282
    If I'm not mistaken, this switch also offers energy measurement implemented on the CSE7766 chip (or at least some version of it), but the CSE7766 OBK already supports. Together with automations and conditions built on the basis of e.g. voltage or current measurement (e.g. turn off the socket when the voltage is above 240V ). And also a similar system to the CSE7766 is supported in simulator , so you can test automations on Windows - even MQTT and HA work.
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    It was also reported (and tested by me, the assistant helped with the film, because it is impossible to run a project like obk in one person) Sonoff LED and it was indeed BL602:




    Once I think I saw an article on Hackaday about BL602 in Sonoff products. I can't find it, but I found this:
    https://notenoughtech.com/home-automation-review/sonoff-minir3/
    Quote:

    Unlike other Sonoff devices, Sonoff MINIR3 is not ESP based. At heart, we can find BL602/BL604 RISC-V WiFi & Bluetooth 5.0 LE SoC. A move to RISK-V is an interesting jump as the replacement for ESP8266 with a similar price point and better specification.

    I wonder how the justification for this claim is. Some deeper analysis would be nice.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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  • #7 20499265
    adamodondoni
    Level 2  
    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.
  • #8 20500263
    krzbor
    Level 29  
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:
    I don't know about this switch, but Sonoff Mini R3 has already been reported as based on BL602

    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 and in it:
    Label and its position:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    Board photo:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    The system responsible for communication:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    and even a very detailed photo of the antenna:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    You mentioned Sonoff Mini R3 - FCC: 2APN5MINIR3. Documentation link and in it:
    Board photo:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    Disassembled layout:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    chip:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    And of course the exact shape of the antenna:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
    Interesting page here link where, after entering the 2APN5 code, there are 99 SONOFF items (some are repeated). I think it is a mine of knowledge about the RF circuits built into individual devices.
    Finally, a curiosity about how SONOFF R2 Basic was tested:
    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)

    [BL602] IoT Meiq Sonoff Basic R2 teardown and flash with OpenBeken (tasmota replacement)
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  • #9 20500341
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    krzbor wrote:

    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:

    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 are described as ESP, and in fact the new version (with the same FCCID) is BK. Example:
    https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3948536.html
    The device is shown above FCC ID: SYW-PLUGWIFIG2 described by the FCC here:
    https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/SYW-PLUGWIFIG2
    And I emphasize - the version with BK seems to have the same code on the housing as the one with ESP.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #10 20500394
    krzbor
    Level 29  
    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.
  • #11 20500652
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    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 under the screen (and not BK7231N, according to the documentation), which caused problems when uploading a new batch. Another time I got a WB2S with a mixed descriptive layer of the pins, i.e. the VDD/GND and several IO markings were swapped, they were marked incorrectly, in fact the places of the pads were as in the documentation. If I soldered the power supply to it according to this descriptive layer, and not according to the documentation, I would damage it.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the Sonoff Basic R2, which a user purchased, suspecting it to be ESP-based but discovering it contains a BL602 chip. The authenticity of the device is questioned, with indications that it may be a counterfeit due to differences in design and components compared to genuine Sonoff products. Users share insights about the flashing process with OpenBeken firmware, pin configurations, and the potential for energy measurement features in other Sonoff models like the Mini R3. The conversation also touches on FCC certification discrepancies and the reliability of product documentation, highlighting issues with Chinese electronics and the importance of verifying product authenticity.
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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

  1. Hold BOOT low, power the board with 3.3 V.
  2. Run blflash flash OpenBL602_1.15.581.bin --port /dev/ttyUSB0.
  3. 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]
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