FAQ
TL;DR: For the LEDVANCE A100 (BK7231T/WB8P), four PWMs are used; enable Flag 24 to "Emulate Cool White with RGB" and restore CW control. This FAQ compiles working pin maps, flashing steps, and ESPHome/Cloudcutter notes. [Elektroda, divadiow, post #21051804]
Why it matters: For makers flashing Tuya-based LEDVANCE bulbs to OpenBeken or ESPHome, this solves missing cool‑white/brightness control and clarifies safe flashing paths.
Quick Facts
- Platform: BK7231T on WB8P module; A100 is a 14W E27 RGBW bulb. [Elektroda, lionboy, post #20897449]
- Proven A100 mapping: P7=PWM0 (R), P8=PWM1 (G), P9=PWM2 (B), P24=PWM4 (W); enable Flag 24. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051966]
- This model is RGBW with emulated Cool White, not alternate CW; template was updated accordingly. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21052864]
- WB8P pin 26 isn’t used on A100; it’s not soldered on the PCB. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051437]
- Cloudcutter OTA confirmed on LEDVANCE A60 9W (BK7231N); PWM is 1000 Hz and pins differ; Flag 24 disabled. [Elektroda, lightmaster001, post #21236313]
What chip and board are inside the LEDVANCE SmartPlus Classic A100 14W (E27)?
It uses a Tuya BK7231T on the WB8P module. The bulb is the SmartPlus Classic A100 14W Multicolor E27 variant. The teardown shows UART pads and standard Tuya wiring points for flashing. [Elektroda, lionboy, post #20897449]
What OpenBeken pin mapping and flag make the A100 work correctly?
Use P7=PWM0 (Red), P8=PWM1 (Green), P9=PWM2 (Blue), P24=PWM4 (Warm White). Enable Flag 24 (Emulate Cool White with RGB). This template removes P26 and fixes cool‑white control. Save and reboot after applying. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051966]
Does this A100 bulb actually have Cool White LEDs?
No. It’s RGBW with warm white only. Cool white is synthesized by mixing the RGB channels. On many boards, WB8P pin 26 isn’t even soldered, so a real CW channel can’t work. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051437]
How do I enable Cool White emulation in OpenBeken for A100?
Do this:
- Map P7=PWM0, P8=PWM1, P9=PWM2, P24=PWM4.
- In Flags, enable 24 (Emulate Cool White with RGB).
- Save and reboot to apply the template and flags. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051966]
What is Flag 8 (Alternate CW), and should I use it here?
Flag 8 expects channel 4 to control warm/cold and channel 5 to control brightness. That’s for bulbs wired as alternate CW. The A100’s working configuration doesn’t fit this pattern, so use the emulation approach instead. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20898242]
Brightness or Cool White still fails—what’s the quick fix?
Enable Flag 24 to emulate Cool White with RGB and ensure the pins match the RGBW mapping. Users reported full success after checking Flag 24. Save, reboot, and retest brightness and CW sliders. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051909]
How do I flash OpenBeken to WB8P (BK7231T) by UART?
Solder to 3V3, GND, TX1, and RX1. Connect a USB‑UART. Hold CEN to GND to enter flashing mode, then upload firmware with the usual Tuya-style process. Remove the CEN‑GND short after flashing and reboot. [Elektroda, lionboy, post #20897449]
Can the LEDVANCE A60 9W be OTA‑flashed with Tuya Cloudcutter?
Yes. One user flashed an A60 9W via Cloudcutter using a matching generic profile. Their Tuya dump showed PWM frequency at 1000 Hz and a different pin map, with Flag 24 disabled. [Elektroda, lightmaster001, post #21236313]
Can I OTA‑flash the A100 with Cloudcutter instead of UART?
This thread documents UART flashing for the A100 using the WB8P pads and the CEN‑to‑GND method. OTA for A100 wasn’t reported here. If unsure, choose UART to avoid bricking. [Elektroda, lionboy, post #20897449]
How should I map RGB channels on the A100?
Set Red to P7 (PWM0), Green to P8 (PWM1), and Blue to P9 (PWM2). This aligns with the working A100 OpenBeken template and avoids channel numbering confusion. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051966]
How can I produce a cool‑white look manually in OBK?
Send the command: led_basecolor_rgb #FFFFFF. This mixes R, G, and B to produce a cool‑white appearance matching the stock firmware’s behavior. It’s useful for quick verification. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051793]
Does OpenBeken support transition effects like the stock firmware?
Functionally, OpenBeken works, but transitions can differ from OEM effects. As one expert noted, “OBK should work 100%,” though effects may vary. Consider Home Assistant scenes if you need refined fades. [Elektroda, divadiow, post #21051665]
Do OpenBeken channels start at 0 or 1? Does it matter?
It doesn’t matter. OpenBeken supports both numbering conventions, and a self‑test ensures compatibility. Focus on mapping pins to PWM channels correctly. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20898273]
Why won’t P26 ever drive Cool White on my A100 board?
Because P26 (PWM5 on WB8P) isn’t connected on many A100 PCBs. With no soldered pad, assigning P26 to CW can’t work, even if configured. [Elektroda, rchristescu, post #21051437]
Can I run this bulb with ESPHome, and what’s a minimal config?
Yes. Use bk72xx with generic‑bk7231t‑qfn32‑tuya, map P7/P8/P9 for RGB and P24 for white, and define an RGBW light. The shared config includes effects and works reliably. [Elektroda, lionboy, post #21195977]