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[BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware

erlipan2001 10497 75
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  • #31 20589272
    ttp1106
    Level 6  
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware >>20588972
    I am so bad at solder, I like to prevent if possible.

    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware


    I would say it's the same as erlipan2001 posted.
    I can provide the original firmware. But I'm really new to this topic and not an electrician guy. So I need more assistance. I don't have a USB/UART Adapter. But I have a raspberry. Is that enough to extract the firmware?

    Or is there anyone related to Germany? That I can send some device per parcel? :)
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  • #32 20589284
    erlipan2001
    Level 6  
    I'm so far from being an electrician... Soldering is not that hard, I used a cheap kit from Amazon (less than 20€ from Amazon) I think these cheap switches are a great place to start.

    Also I didn't have any USB-UART adapter. I managed to use an ESP8266 NodeMCU I had lying around. A Raspberry Pi should work but I wouldn't want to risk destroying one because they are nearly impossible to get.
  • #33 20589312
    ttp1106
    Level 6  
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:
    Here's our YouTube playlist of flashing by wires guides (soldering guides, step by step, it's very easy!)
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzbXEc2ebpH0CZDbczAXT94BuSGrd_GoM


    I watched all the videos but there is no guide to extract the firmware, right? Can you give me more information about that, please? Which pins have I to use. Do I need to remove the blue PCB in total? - Currently it is on stock firmware.
  • #34 20589384
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Doing firmware backup is the same as reading.
    Just use this tool (bkWriter 1.60 is obsolete):
    https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool
    use "Read firmware backup" button
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  • #35 20590165
    ttp1106
    Level 6  
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:
    Just use this tool


    Something went wrong in my case. It [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
    It's always switching to COM3, even if I select COM5 (which is the UART Adapter) in this case. Very strange. Before the .exe File was removed by Microsoft Defender. Oh my... Still I got failed.
  • #36 20590544
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    How does it switch to COM3? When?
    If you select COM5, there is no code to switch back to COM3, unless... unless COM5 gots reset/removed temporarily from USB devices due to Windows/power/driver issues.
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  • #37 20591048
    Nanganator
    Level 6  
    I just got in a couple Aubees branded FS-03W blind controllers (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004608903981.html) which also have this CB2S labeled module with a BL2028N on them. Also couldn’t read the flash for the life of me. I’ll try your suggestions as well and let you know the results.
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  • #38 20591132
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Try bkWriter 1.60 for reading (but don't use it to restore the flash, it's buggy) or hid_download_py (requires python):
    https://youtu.be/PKkiqDNFIx8?list=PLzbXEc2ebpH0CZDbczAXT94BuSGrd_GoM&t=296
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
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  • #39 20592057
    Nanganator
    Level 6  
    No luck with 1.6 either. Could the fact there is caps on TX and RX be interfering? [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
  • #40 20592136
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Are you flashing it in circuit or outside circuit (desoldered module)?
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  • #41 20592158
    Nanganator
    Level 6  
    Destroyed 1 CB2S trying to remove it from the board pictured above. Tore the solder pad off the TX… So for the second one was trying to read the flash with it installed in the device still.
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
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  • #42 20592326
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    Hi everyone
    I just came across this on my recent purchase of the mini switch.
    I have the First model of erlipan2001 description:
    Patched firmware 1.3.10 (Tuya-Cloudcutter won't work)
    obviously Tuya-cloudcutter did not work.
    I just need some clarification. How do I flash the device I have a ch341A EEPROM programmer. I downloaded the latest BK7231tool where do I grab the firmware to flash and why I need to backup the 1.3.10 firmware?

    Thank you in advance
  • #43 20592328
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    While flashing a CB2S Qiachip Smart Switch, we indeed had a capacitor on RX pin, and had to remove it:



    Video above is using hid_download_py, BK7231GUIFlashTool wasn't released back then

    @prologue71 we are now using the new GUI solution here, it should work in most cases:
    https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool
    we do not recommend command line program because it's easy to confuse offsets and brick device.
    Here are binaries:
    https://github.com/openshwprojects/OpenBK7231T_App/releases
    You need USB to UART converter, not the EEPROM programmer.
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzbXEc2ebpH0CZDbczAXT94BuSGrd_GoM
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  • #44 20592376
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    Thank you for the quick reply. I mean this USB programmer. I occasionally fix firmware with this. So the software should do the whole process of backup and finding the firmware to flash ?
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
  • #45 20592449
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    It seems to have RX and TX pins, so you can give it a try. Just follow our tutorials. You need RX, TX, GND and 3.3V to flash BK7231 modules.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #46 20592454
    erlipan2001
    Level 6  
    >>20592158

    @Nanganator please use a bit of flux to remove all the oxide that's forming. It will make your soldering job way easier. Also why 6 wires? You only need rx, tx, 3v3, gnd.

    Also I found out that if rx or tx is connected to the main pcb, 2 out of 2 variant I had both were connected to ground making flashing fail. You need to take a copper wick (Nearly always included in a starter kit) and wick the solder joint away.
  • #47 20592476
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    I guess he tried to solder first into 3.3V directly, and then to the input of AMS1117-3.3V so he can feed 5V:
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
    but in general, flux is a must, we have tons of desoldering footage, just please watch it, for example here:
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
    Flashing:
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware


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  • #48 20592516
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware ok. Thank you guys all done with the flashing. I will attach some photos. It was actually really easy, even easier than tasmotizer.
    Now a small detail. How do I log in to the switch?
    I already desoldered and did not check it with Termite. [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
  • #49 20592527
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    What is Termite? Do you have 2MB flash backup? Does the configuration AP shows up?

    With latest flasher, you could even configure the device in-place, just enter wifi pass/ssid in the BK7231Flash Tool and it will be flashed as well ("Configure OBK" or something like that button)
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  • #50 20592530
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    I slightly desoldered P5 pad as you can see from photo [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware

    Added after 7 [minutes]:

    thank you p.Kazmarek2. A really fast forum here
    After flashing tasmota device i was using Termite software a cli for reprogramming the device.
    Now i need some help here! How do i can get in the device ota? Is there a predefined address? the 192.168.4.1 tasmota does not work
    Thank you
  • #51 20592559
    erlipan2001
    Level 6  
    In my case once flashed an access point appeared and once connected I went to 192.168.4.1 and set my wifi name and pw. After that I simply checked my DHCP server to find the IP of the device.
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  • #52 20592565
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    OTA is the process of updating firmware via WiFi. It allows you to get newer build of OpenBeken without soldering programming wires again. It has nothing to do with 192.168.4.1, it can be done in OBK Web Panel.

    192.168.4.1 is a configuration address for OBK device. It's the same as in Tasmota. If you flash device via wires, it will create WiFi access point, and if you join this AP, you should be able to open page at 192.168.4.1 to enter your WiFi data and much more.

    You can also enter WiFi SSID/Pass via BK7231FlashTool itself, if you have problems with 192.168.4.1.
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  • #53 20593105
    ttp1106
    Level 6  
    prologue71 wrote:
    I slightly desoldered P5 pad as you can see from photo


    Do I understand correctly that by removing the P5 solder point, you were able to flash it on the circuit without desoldering the entire module? I'm currently considering how to do that myself so that I don't have to desolder and redo all the solder joints on all 15 modules.
    But I don't see any P5 print on my circuit.

    Update:
    I reached out to Tuya to inquire if they could manufacture a module that exposes the pins outward, making it easier for self-flashing. They are building a module for me. Does anyone else have an interest? For a small batch, it would be around $8 per piece, excluding shipping. So it's not as inexpensive as the cheapest options, but it will be easy to flash. They are also currently exploring the possibility of shipping it with OpenBK firmware. That sounded promising to me at first.

    I mean the product "Power Monitor Switch 16A / 240V" Looks like that: [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
  • #54 20593546
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    That's great news, there is certainly a market for a preflashed devices that runs locally. I could help you spread the word by posting information on our Github and Supported Devices Page, but you would need some basic site first or something.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #55 20593555
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    @ttp1106 the desoldering was an accident as I rushed the process. I just followed the schematics of erlipan2001 in the photo at the beginning of the post because my device coincided with that specific model.

    Added after 9 [minutes]:

    @p.kaczmarek2 I used an older version of the bk flasher as I did not want to use the beta where there are all the functions you described. Anyway the soldering process took way more than flashing as I was unprepared and not on the workstation. Also the devices are getting smaller and smaller it is very easy to damage the circuits with inadequate equipment. When I have some spare time I will fix the connection problem.
  • #56 20593567
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Some time has passed and some tests were done, that "beta" version most likely can be marked as a release soon
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #57 20594463
    Nanganator
    Level 6  
    Well I’m plum out of ideas. Pulled the CB2S module out and still can’t read the flash with 1.6. Tried hooking CEN to RTS on my FTDI. Tried about 20 different timing of touching CEN to GND. Tried powering the CB2S from a separate 3.3v power source than the FTDI and no luck. Possibly something I’m doing wrong somewhere along the way.
  • #58 20594479
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    bkWriter 1.60 is not recommended for BK7231N, it will not work most likely, as said on video, use hid_download_py.

    Or use our latest BK7231GUI Flasher for both BK7231N and BK7231T.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #59 20594509
    Nanganator
    Level 6  
    I’ll try hid_download_py tonight. These BL2028N’s are not my friends!
  • #60 20594822
    prologue71
    Level 5  
    I am back on the flashing. As the track from pin5 is gone, I used a needle to get the tx directly from the MCU.
    As per photo.
    Used the latest version to reflash. How do I recover the wifi parameters? [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware

    Added after 5 [minutes]:

    I will be in stand by on this.... [BK7231N/CB2S] Comparison of multiple smart switch modules, differences on PCB, patched firmware
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Topic summary

The discussion revolves around the comparison of various smart switch modules, specifically focusing on the BK7231N and CB2S models. Users express confusion over identifying different variants due to their identical external appearances. The conversation highlights the challenges faced with patched firmware (version 1.3.10) that prevents the use of Tuya-Cloudcutter for flashing. Participants share experiences with the BK7231GUIFlashTool, discussing GPIO configurations, the importance of backing up firmware, and the difficulties encountered when attempting to read or flash the devices. Solutions include using alternative flashing tools, ensuring proper connections, and the potential for extracting configurations even after flashing. The need for better documentation and community support for flashing these devices is emphasized, along with the exploration of new modules with different chipsets.
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