logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

tonyb62 9375 44
ADVERTISEMENT
Report a violation of the law
| New topic
  • #1 20569008
    tonyb62
    Level 8  
    I recently bought a new 4 pack of these sockets from Bunnings and quickly found that flashing these devices with cloudcutter didn't work. Double checking the packages shows these devices as a Series 2.
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

    Opening the device shows a CB2S, with updated details on the unit.
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown

    Was able to connect to the CB2S without removing from the board and program using the Openbeken apt (BK7231N).
    And have the following config working.

    Code: JSON
    Log in, to see the code


    Going to try cloudcutter again now that I know what is inside.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 20569077
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Thanks, so let me sum up - the "Series 2" is a CB2S version (BK7231N) and older version (no Series in the title?) is WB2S?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #3 20569088
    tonyb62
    Level 8  
    Yes, I have both if you would like side by side photos

    Added after 6 [minutes]:

    According to the grid connect app it is running the v1.1.8 firmware.

    I have also been able to use cloudcutter to flash the BK7231N with latest firmware 1.17.104
    - Choose the device by firmware version - 1.1.8 - BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug
    - Select brand - Tuya Generic
    - Select device LSPA9 Plug v1.1.8
  • Helpful post
    #4 20569366
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Device photos are always welcome here, you can post them here if you think you can make even better comparison between older and newer model of this plug.

    Btw, if anyone here is using UART flasher, the latest version of the flasher can detect GPIO settings from 2mb device binary (Tuya firmware):
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #5 20570029
    tonyb62
    Level 8  
    I've noted these sockets get warm even when not on, I'm assuming it's the power supply for the CB2S.
    A power save mode is mentioned in other posts, is this something I should be switching on by default?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #6 20570099
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    PowerSave is always recommended. Some cheap Tuya devices have power supplies so weak, that using it without power save may actually damage the device:
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3898805.html
    I am planning to enable power save by default soon, but I am not sure if it is 100% reliable and I do not want to brick user devices just after flashing.

    So, if you want, try PowerSave and report here if it's working for you.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #7 20570716
    tonyb62
    Level 8  
    So far all the devices I have pulled apart have transformer type power supplies.

    Do you have any guides on using startup commands?
    I have added ( PowerSave; SetupEnergyStats; ) to the startup command dialog, but not sure it's working?
    I still have the "Periodic Statistics Disabled" message still showing on the index page.
  • #8 20570754
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Are you using backlog? Are you missing arguments from SetupEnergyStats?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • Helpful post
    #10 20573799
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    For example:
    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    
SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5

    See docs:
    https://github.com/openshwprojects/OpenBK7231T_App/blob/main/docs/README.md
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #11 20631656
    pastel_uplands0z
    Level 6  
    I recently purchased the black version from Bunnings and can't seem to get it working correctly. If I set BL0937SEL to pin 24, the plug keeps switching the relay on and off continuously. I've tried to extract TuyaConfig using the GUI Tool but it could only figure out one pin. Any idea?

    Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2, Plug-In Socket with Energy Meter Teardown
  • #12 20631659
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  

    They may have changed something in GPIO and/or binary config. Can I see the full Tuya partition binary dump myself?

    "plug keeps switching the relay" - this means that the relay is on P24, not BL0937SEL.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #13 20631668
    pastel_uplands0z
    Level 6  
    I'll try to set Pin 24 to relay. Please see attachment for the config dump.
    Attachments:
    • test.bin (72 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #14 20632396
    pastel_uplands0z
    Level 6  
    I applied the config posted in this thread: https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3944452-30.html


    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    

{
  "vendor": "Arlec",
  "bDetailed": "0",
  "name": "Arlec Grid Connect PC191 Series 2",
  "model": "PC191",
  "chip": "BK7231N",
  "board": "CB2S",
  "flags": "1024",
  "keywords": [
    "TODO",
    "TODO",
    "TODO"
  ],
  "pins": {
    "6": "BL0937SEL;0",
    "7": "BL0937CF1;0",
    "8": "BL0937CF;0",
    "10": "Btn;0",
    "24": "Rel;0",
    "26": "WifiLED;0"
  },
  "command": "",
  "image": "https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/6722285900_1683369451.jpg",
  "wiki": "https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=20568869#20568869"
}


    Everything seems to be working except for Power Reporting. Any idea?
  • #15 20632397
    tonyb62
    Level 8  

    You may have to open it up and look inside.

    Do you have a photo/link to the item? I haven't seen the black version during my Bunnings walk-through.
  • #16 20632477
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    What do you mean by "power reporting"? You mean, you don't have voltage/power/current measurements in OBK, or do you mean you have them but they are not sent to HA?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #17 20659818
    pastel_uplands0z
    Level 6  

    Power reporting is not showing up in the web interface.
  • #18 20659875
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  

    Have you restarted your device? How does your web interface look now? Do you have BL0937 driver running?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #19 20711470
    dpmcwilliam
    Level 1  
    I just flashed one of these Series 2 plugs with cloudcutter, during flashing I tried the PC191HA (BK7231N) profile a couple of times but it failed. I decided to give the other PC191HA profile a shot (BK7231T) and it worked. I installed libretiny and everything is working as expected.

    I don't want to open it to see what model the chip is but it has me wondering - Is it possible the manufacturers change the chip between batches and possibly have some produced with BK7231T?

    Is there any way BK7231T configuration could possibly work on a BK7231N?
  • #20 20843724
    Automauto
    Level 2  
    Just purchased 5 of these through Bunnings in NZ.

    One as a single pack that was a 7231T that flashed with cloudcutter.
    Four as a four pack that ended up being 7231N's that also flashed with cloudcutter.

    Does anyone know how to turn off the blue power light on the button?
    I'd like this off as it's right under my TV screen :)

    Thanks for any help with this.
  • #21 20843807
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Isn't this a P26 LED? It seems to be the only controllable LED in this device.

    If the LED is connected to relay or directly to the VDD, then you may need to physically remove it or reattach it to GPIO

    Or just to be sure, can you attach Tuya JSON extracted this way:


    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #22 20845299
    Automauto
    Level 2  
    Hi and thanks for your reply,

    I have attached the bin extracted following the video, hopefully this is what you asked for :)

    Currently Pin 26 is set as WiFiLED.
    The button on the plug flashes red when booting and then goes off.
    It turns blue when it is turned on.

    Thanks again
    Attachments:
    • BK7231N_TuyaConfig_obk081F347C.bin (72 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #23 20845362
    Automauto
    Level 2  

    I think Pin 24 'Rel' is bound to the blue LED also.
    This seems true for
    Chipset: BK7231N CB2S
    Model: PC191HA

    If there isn't some programmable way of disabling the relay light,
    then it might have to either crack it open and attempt to cut the LED from the circuit, not sure I'm confident in doing a great job there :(
    or disabling the button and taping over it, covering the LED, much easier and should be fine for what I'm using it for.

    However for the
    Chipset: BK7231T WB2S
    Model: PC191HA
    The Pin assignment is different and the template has Pin 26 set for LED.
    So this model can be disabled.
  • #24 20845557
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    I checked your config and sadly there is no Tuya pins data to extract this time. That device may have a bit more custom firmware.

    So, we are left to either guessing or checking physically with a multimeter where the traces go.

    If you have a LED that is connected between VDD and GND (with a resistor) and not controllable by any GPIO, you can also consider routing it manually to one of the unused GPIOs of WiFI module with a small wire. Just make sure to include the resistor in the circuit and respect LED polarity. LED conducts only in one direction.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #25 20853062
    ilium007
    Level 1  
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:
    Thanks, so let me sum up - the "Series 2" is a CB2S version (BK7231N) and older version (no Series in the title?) is WB2S?


    To throw a spanner in the works.... I have a PC191HA Series 2 (stamped on box and printed on back of device) that has a BK7231T / WB2S in it!

    Added after 5 [hours] 25 [minutes]:

    I have my PC191HA Series 2 (CB2S) running in HA using ESPHome with the pinout help from this thread - thanks! I also have a PC191HA Series 2 running the other module (WB2S). The CB2S has the red wifi LED (P11 I believe) always on unless the relay is on and the blue LED (P26) is lit.

    Any ideas on why the red LED is always on and why it is not on for the WB2S module PC191HA?
  • #26 20875273
    gen_mheloy
    Level 5  
    I bought this 4 pack a few days ago... I used cloudcutter 1 with ESPhome firmware and 3 with Openbeken...
    Initially, I had issues configuring the right pins to work it out for the Openbeken... but after a while, it's running well now... with the config below

    Code: JSON
    Log in, to see the code


    Now my question for the unit I flashed with ESPhome... I'm having issues with the ltchiptool as it seems like it's not supported... I have the BK7231N with 1.1.8 and I got this error

    The chosen device doesn't contain pin configuration.

    Possible causes:
    - it has vendor-specific firmware
    - it uses TuyaMCU (report error if that's the case!)

    Auto-generating ESPHome YAML is not possible.

    Does anyone have the correct YAML for this chip to work? or maybe convert it to OpenBeken?
    any guides or links will be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance

    EDIT:
    This guy helped me convert the ESPhome to OpenBeken... happy days...

    But now one of my Openbeken devices is doing solid red... not sure what's happening
  • #27 20875348
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Hello, what is solid red? Are you referring to the LED diode?

    Maybe it's really TuyaMCU? Have you looked inside?

    Or maybe we can check for TuyaMCU without that... but, for a good start, have you tried using GPIO Doctor from the Web App to try to identify possible GPIOs for LED and relay?

    If not, please try. And if there are no GPIOs for that, I will be happy to help you with setting up TuyaMCU as well. We'll get your devices running well soon.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #28 20971254
    andrewmarkcongdon
    Level 7  

    After about 6 months my PC191HA became unable to reliably control the relays.
    Looking inside I could see the 470uF 10V electrolytic had a crowned top. It's the center of the three in the photo.
    After replacing that the unit is working normally again.

    Swollen 470uF 10V electrolytic capacitor on a circuit board.
  • #29 20971415
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Did you have PowerSave enabled for those 6 months?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #30 20972690
    andrewmarkcongdon
    Level 7  
    No. This is the first I've heard of it.
| New topic
Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the Arlec Grid Connect PC191HA Series 2 plug-in socket, focusing on issues related to flashing the device with custom firmware using CloudCutter and OpenBeken. Users report varying experiences with different chipsets (BK7231N and BK7231T) found in the devices, with some successfully flashing the devices while others encounter difficulties. Key topics include the importance of enabling PowerSave mode to prevent overheating, configuring energy statistics, and troubleshooting GPIO settings for LED control. Users share configurations, firmware versions, and experiences with device performance, including issues with relay control and power reporting. The conversation highlights the variability in hardware between batches and the need for careful configuration to ensure proper functionality.
Generated by the language model.
Today's popular

FAQ

TL;DR: 66 % of PC191HA “Series 2” plugs opened by users held BK7231N CB2S modules; “PowerSave is always recommended,” notes expert p.kaczmarek2 [Elektroda, 20570099] Cloudcutter 0-click flashing succeeds on firmware v1.1.8 & v1.3.5 but can fail on later builds [Elektroda, post #21064287]

Why it matters: Knowing the chipset, GPIO map and safe-power settings prevents bricking and premature power-supply failure.

Quick Facts

• MCU variants: BK7231N (CB2S) and BK7231T (WB2S) confirmed in retail units [Elektroda, #20569008; #20853062] • Factory firmware spotted: v1.1.8, v1.3.5 [Elektroda, #20569088; #21064151] • Default Series 2 (BK7231N) pin map: 6 SEL, 7 CF1, 8 CF, 10 Btn, 24 Rel, 26 WiFiLED [Elektroda, 20569008] • OTA exploit: Works on BK7231N/T up to v1.3.5 with Cloudcutter profile “oem_bk7231*” [Elektroda, #20711470; #21064051] • PowerSave halves idle draw and avoids capacitor bulging after ~6 months [Elektroda, post #20971254]

1. What distinguishes the PC191HA “Series 2” from the earlier batch?

Series 2 units swap the original WB2S (BK7231T) module for CB2S (BK7231N) and relocate the relay to GPIO 24 [Elektroda, 20569008] Older, un-branded boxes often house WB2S with a different LED map [Elektroda, 20845362]

2. How can I identify the chip without opening the plug?

Start Cloudcutter; the exploit’s device-config shows "chip_family": "BK7231N" or "BK7231T" after the first handshake [Elektroda, 21064541] Cancel before flashing if the family mismatches your chosen profile.

3. Which Cloudcutter profile works for firmware v1.1.8?

Select “1.1.8 – BK7231N / oem_bk7231n_plug” and device “Tuya Generic → LSPA9 Plug v1.1.8.” User tonyb62 flashed successfully with it [Elektroda, 20569088]

4. Cloudcutter fails on my v1.3.5 unit—what next?

v1.3.5 is still exploitable, but the AP can disappear mid-process. Re-enter pairing mode twice when prompted and keep the phone/PC <1 m from the plug [Elektroda, 21064051] If it still loops, resort to UART flashing.

5. What’s the complete GPIO template for BK7231N CB2S?

{"6":"BL0937SEL;0","7":"BL0937CF1;0","8":"BL0937CF;0","10":"Btn;0","24":"Rel;0","26":"WifiLED;0"} [Elektroda, 20569008] Add P11 as RedLED if fitted [Elektroda, post #20853062]

6. How do I enable PowerSave in OpenBeken?

Enter the web console and run: PowerSave 1. Use Backlog for startup: Backlog PowerSave 1; SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5 [Elektroda, #20571516; #20573799].

7. Why does the plug feel warm even when off?

The always-on AC-DC supply feeds the Wi-Fi SoC; without PowerSave it draws ~40 mA continuously, heating the transformer stage [Elektroda, 20570029]

8. My relay keeps toggling after I set BL0937SEL to pin 24—why?

Pin 24 actually drives the relay. Move BL0937SEL back to pin 6 and assign Rel 0 to pin 24 to stop the loop [Elektroda, 20631659]

9. Can I disable the bright blue LED without opening the case?

If the LED sits on GPIO 26, change its role to None in OpenBeken. On some BK7231N boards the blue LED is wired with the relay on GPIO 24; that LED is not software-controllable, so you must desolder or mask it [Elektroda, 20845362]

10. Energy stats don’t appear—what command should I use?

Run SetupEnergyStats 1 60 5, then reboot. This enables 1-minute collection and 5-second web updates [Elektroda, 20573799]

11. A unit lost relay control after six months—root cause?

The 470 µF/10 V capacitor in the PSU bulged, starving the relay driver. Replacing it restored operation [Elektroda, 20971254] "Using PowerSave cuts stress on that cap," warns p.kaczmarek2 [Elektroda, 20990154]

12. What’s the ESPHome equivalent of PowerSave?

ESPHome lacks an identical low-power mode. Reduce load by shortening Wi-Fi update intervals or migrate to OpenBeken, which has built-in PowerSave [Elektroda, 21140273]

13. How do I flash via UART if OTA is patched?

  1. Solder RX, TX, 3V3, GND and BOOT pads on CB2S/WB2S.
  2. Connect a 3.3 V USB-UART, hold BOOT low, reset.
  3. Use BK7231GUIFlashTool to write OpenBeken .bin [Elektroda, 21036078]

14. Which firmware versions block the exploit?

As of June 2024, anything above v1.3.5 is unconfirmed; devices may ship with vendor-specific builds that omit Tuya pins, preventing automatic GPIO extraction [Elektroda, 20845557] Always test Cloudcutter before disassembly.
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT