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500-Watt Single White Pole Smart Dimmer Switch with Motion Sensor Powered by Hubspace (Home Depot)

omniron 2385 13
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  • #1 21060509
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
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    Rate: 6
    Hi all,

    Added: Since these ESP32 units are very probably write-protected I'm changing my opinion to really really bad design on these.

    got me these dimmers, impressed by the design, they use 2xN-FETs instead of a triac.
    Has power shutoff (via Micro Lever Switch) for safety.
    PIR sensor, seems badly implemented in software.
    Uses a 32-Bit ARM (Cortex) controller, just for dimming?
    Several DC up/down converters.
    Has many pins laid out as test points.
    Never seen this WiFi chip, is it ESP or tuya or??

    Printed circuit board with labels and test points. Printed circuit board with test points and traces. Close-up of a circuit board with an electronic module and micro switches. Web page showcasing a smart light dimmer switch with motion sensor. Commercial Electric smart dimmer with motion sensor in packaging. Compact wall dimmer with motion and light sensor, Wi-Fi indicator, and brightness adjustment buttons. Person holding an electrical device with exposed wires in front of an open electrical box. Printed circuit board with various electronic components, including an ESP module, capacitors, and resistors. Close-up of the electronic circuit inside a dimmer with visible PCB traces and components. Circuit board with various electronic components, including capacitors and a plug. Internal circuit board with electronic components and wire connectors. Close-up of a circuit board with two PYO 50N25CS transistors, capacitors, and wiring.

    Any hints on how to proceed liberating this unit from its bad software problem?
    Thanks
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  • #3 21061008
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
    Posts: 14425
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    ESP32 may be write-protected and you also will most likely need to capture the communication with the MCU first.
    What is Hubspace?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #4 21061851
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
    Help: 1
    Rate: 6

    Thanks for your replies,
    divadiow, excellent find, seems exactly the same
    should i check tx0 or tx1?

    Didn't know ESP32 can be write-protected.
    Thus far all esp stuff I came across was reflashable, bummer
    I won't be able to remove the esp, so if there is no re-flashing of the LA02301, then that's it unfortunately. what a waste, seems well built.

    Hubspace is a sub-company from home depot. seems specialized on electrical smart stuff
    home depot is a huge hardware store in the us
  • #5 21061899
    ferbulous
    Level 18  
    Posts: 419
    Help: 8
    Rate: 56
    @omniron might require replacing it another esp if it’s locked, seems likely from the homeassistant thread
    Not sure if you can find any LA02301 module for purchase
    So you might need to use any esp32 and just solder wires to the pads
  • #6 21062136
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
    Help: 1
    Rate: 6
    Really sad, too much hassle for some dimmers. Back to home depot then.
    Does anybody know why they are using an extra esp or 8051 derivative to implement dimmer function?
    Don't the ESP (maybe tuya too) have enough capabilities (space, interrupts, timers) etc to implement dimming easily?

    My 3 way X10 WS-467 dimmer from over 40 years ago could do that plus decode the wireless signals and transmit changes and have local dimming control.
    https://www.instructables.com/Add-local-dimming-capability-to-an-X10-wall-switch/


    Added after 6 [hours] 59 [minutes]:

    Since these ESP32 units are very probably write-protected I'm changing my opinion to really really bad design on these.
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  • #7 21062831
    dasen
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1

    DC board like the use of 2 MCUs, one of which is the SSOP10 package, model 32F003F6P7, the other is a wireless module, the wireless module should be used as a coprocessor, dedicated to the wireless protocol stack related processing, 32F003F6P7 should be the host, I want to know that the wireless module is not used in the ESP32 need to remove the shielding, you can use the hot air gun
  • #8 21062893
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    Please still try to flash them or at least to read firmware, @omniron

    I also don't know why Tuya always uses secondary MCU for dimming, it seems not necessary, I've researched Beken a bit and I think Beken (and also ESP) could easily control dimming itself, but maybe there is something I am still missing.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #9 21063869
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
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    Packed up units for return already, sorry.

    Meanwhile I checked ESP8266 and ESP32 docs, both have plenty resourses to handle dimming.
    It is basically a zero cross detector and a hardcoded or calculated intensity table for the time delay.
    For least efforts interrupt driven with ESP's internal timers.
    The ESPs even allow for more possibillities like sub chopping, i.e. for LED and PF considerations.
    I thought of legal issues like certifications etc, but none would interfere with using just the ESP for all functions.
    Until disproven, I think the secondary MCU for dimming is really a waste of resources, lazy and bad engineering.
  • #10 21065886
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
    Help: 1
    Rate: 6
    So I opened the dimmer for you and it seems I have access to tx0 and rx0, really small everythig.
    Does your tool work for reading ESP, too?
    I tried to get the logic borad going with 5V and 3.3V (and GND of course), but that doesn't work.
    So it is hooked up to live AC.
    I am using an isolated ser/USB converter.
    Schematic of smart dimmer switch with PIR for 3.3V and 5V power.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    attached WiFi module
    Attachments:
    • Smart.dimmer.LA02301.4959691.pdf (3.95 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #11 21065904
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    For reading ESP I'd suggest esptool.py . First try doing a backup, and then try flashing Tasmota.

    So wait, you're not able to flash because the MCU is on UART port?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #12 21065961
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
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    Don't think I ever read a Tasmota device before, the ones I have were cracked already.
    Have to see if there is a Raspberry Pi implementation of that esptool.py tool.

    No idea what is connected where, but it seems RX0 and TX0 are only connected to the testpoints.
    I found the factory mode pin mentioned here
    https://community.home-assistant.io/t/help-trying-to-flash-esp32-in-home-depot-bulb/326294/12
  • #13 21066350
    omniron
    Level 11  
    Posts: 114
    Help: 1
    Rate: 6
    Partial schematic.
    Interesting: the top facing 9 pins are made available on the bottom left and right sides.
    So even if you don't sandwich the board (standing 90 deg on the main PCB) you still have access to all pins when lying flat on the PCB
    I stopped with it all since I really think that it will be very difficult to extract anything from this unit, and it seems impossible to flash it.

    p.kaczmarek2, if you think I should proceed (where others have failed) you need to give me exact instructions please.
    Electronic schematic for a 500W dimmer with PIR sensor. .
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  • #14 21067366
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    I think the first step in case of ESP devices (both ESP8266 and 32) is to read the flash memory to make a backup.
    Here is a detailed guide for esptool.py which can be used for this purpose:
    https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/esp32/esptool/basic-commands.html
    So, please try doing:
    Code: text Expand Select all Copy to clipboard
    
esptool.py -p PORT -b 460800 read_flash 0 0x200000 flash_contents.bin

    Of course change your PORT first.
    Screenshot of esptool.py instructions for reading flash memory contents.

    Once you have a backup, you can try flashing Tasmota, but it may not work if ESP32 is locked...
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the 500-Watt Single White Pole Smart Dimmer Switch with Motion Sensor powered by Hubspace, highlighting concerns about its design and functionality. Users express disappointment over the use of a write-protected ESP32 chip, questioning the necessity of a secondary microcontroller for dimming functions when the ESP32 could handle it. The dimmer features a PIR sensor, which is criticized for poor software implementation. Participants share insights on flashing the device, mentioning the Leedarson LA02301 module and suggesting tools like esptool.py for reading and backing up firmware. The conversation reflects frustration over the perceived inefficiency and complexity of the device's design, leading some to consider returning the product.
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FAQ

TL;DR: "First try doing a backup." Use esptool.py to read 0x200000 bytes (~2 MB) from the ESP32 before flashing; the module may be locked. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21067366]

Why it matters: For Hubspace dimmer owners who want to fix behavior, reflash safely, or decide when to replace or return.

Quick-Facts

Quick Facts

Which Wi‑Fi module is inside this Hubspace dimmer?

The board uses a Leedarson LA02301 module with an ESP32 Wi‑Fi/BLE SoC. A member matched the shield to LA02301 and linked the FCC manual. This enables using ESP32 tools like esptool.py and firmware such as Tasmota. UART0 test pads are available for logs and flashing. [Elektroda, divadiow, post #21060913]

Is the ESP32 here locked, and what does that mean for flashing?

These units’ ESP32 may be write‑protected. Back up the flash first, then attempt Tasmota. If the chip is locked, the flash will fail. Keep the backup for recovery or analysis even if flashing does not proceed. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21067366]

How do I back up the ESP32 flash with esptool.py?

"The first step... is to read the flash memory to make a backup." How‑To: 1) Connect your USB‑UART and place the ESP32 in bootloader mode. 2) Run: esptool.py -p PORT -b 460800 read_flash 0 0x200000 flash_contents.bin. 3) Confirm a 2,097,152‑byte file and store it safely. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21067366]

Which UART pins should I use for boot logs and flashing?

Start with UART0. Hook your USB‑UART to the TX0 and RX0 test pads. That is where the ESP32 boot log appears. A member specifically suggested checking RX/TX for boot output before other steps. [Elektroda, divadiow, post #21060913]

Why can’t I flash even though TX0/RX0 are connected?

The host MCU may share that UART, blocking programming access. If the MCU sits on UART0, the ESP32 bootloader is inaccessible. Use a factory‑mode pad or a different wiring approach if available on the board. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21065904]

Can I bench‑power the logic board at 3.3 V?

One teardown showed the logic board did not start at 5 V or 3.3 V. It only powered when connected to live AC. The user also employed an isolated USB‑to‑serial adapter when probing. Exercise mains safety if working in‑circuit. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21065886]

Where are the test pads on the LA02301 module?

The top‑facing nine pins are mirrored to pads on the lower left and right sides. This keeps access even when the module lies flat on the PCB. That layout eases probing TX0, RX0, and other signals. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21066350]

Why did they add a second MCU just for dimming?

The DC board includes two MCUs. An SSOP‑10 device marked 32F003F6P7 serves as the host controller. The wireless module then acts as a co‑processor for protocol processing. This separates dimming control from network tasks by design. [Elektroda, dasen, post #21062831]

Can the ESP32 alone handle triac or MOSFET dimming?

Community research indicates ESP32 can control dimming directly. "ESP... could easily control dimming itself" on similar platforms, according to testing. Vendors still add a second MCU for reasons not disclosed. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21062893]

Does this dimmer use MOSFETs or a triac, and what else is on board?

It uses two N‑channel FETs instead of a triac. There is a micro lever power‑shutoff switch for safety. A PIR motion sensor exists, but its software behavior looked poor in testing. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21060509]

Is Tasmota supported on this device?

ESP32‑based modules can run Tasmota if the device is not locked. After backing up, attempt a Tasmota flash and verify operation. Expect failure if write protection is enabled by the vendor. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #21067366]

What is Hubspace and who runs it?

Hubspace is a Home Depot smart‑home brand focused on electrical devices. It ships on OEM hardware like this dimmer sold through Home Depot. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21061851]

How do I enter factory mode or boot mode on the LA02301?

A factory‑mode pad for this module was noted in the discussion. Locating and using it can help enter boot or service modes for flashing. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21065961]

My unit is locked; what are my options?

Replace the Wi‑Fi module with another ESP32 and wire to the pads. Sourcing an identical LA02301 may be difficult, so use any ESP32 module. Expect fine‑pitch soldering and careful rework for a clean retrofit. [Elektroda, ferbulous, post #21061899]

When is it smarter to return than hack?

If you cannot back up or flash and won’t replace the module, return it. One user packed the units for return after difficulties and lock concerns. This avoids risky mains work and rework time. [Elektroda, omniron, post #21062136]
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