logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda

LSC Smart Connect Power Strip Screw Removal Techniques

vsessink 3312 13
ADVERTISEMENT
  • #1 21259970
    vsessink
    Level 2  
    LSC Smart Connect Smart Power Strip teardown. Bought one on 2024-10-10 at Action.

    LSC Smart Connect power strip with packaging on a carpet background.
    Barcode label on a blue background with article number 3202887.

    This is a bit of a nasty power strip, because it has screws without a recess, i.e. no phillips, pozidriv, hex or whatever - they look like a nail! Also, the screws are sunk 10mm deep in the housing, so you can't use your pliers to turn them - the opening is way too small.

    Screw with rounded head lying on a wooden surface.
    Close-up of the LSC Smart Connect power strip casing with a small hole for a non-standard screw.

    So a teardown is, unfortunately, not doable with regular tools, I had to be creative.

    Luckily, the local Hornbach had a "spanhuls" (Dutch) or "Spannstift" (German) with the right diameter to enclose these nasty screws:

    Close-up of screws and a metal pin lying on a surface.

    Here is how to remove the screws:





    After that, a rather straightforward CB3S module can be found. You can program it in situ with a USB to serial programmer:

    Interior of a power strip showing the CB3S module.

    Close-up of the CB3S module in a smart power strip with pin labels.

    {
      "vendor": "LSC",
      "bDetailed": "0",
      "name": "LSC Smart Power Strip 3202887 Action 3680W",
      "model": "LSC Smart Power Strip",
      "chip": "BK7231N",
      "board": "CB3S",
      "flags": "0",
      "keywords": [
        "power strip",
        "relay",
        "switch"
      ],
      "pins": {
        "6": "Rel;2",
        "7": "Rel;3",
        "8": "Rel;4",
        "10": "Btn_Tgl_All;0",
        "14": "Rel;1",
        "23": "WifiLED_n;0"
      },
      "image": "https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/8471866500_1728724279.jpg",
    }
    
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 21261196
    piotrszulc1
    Level 9  
    @vsessink Did you make a backup of the original tuya firmware before flashing by any chance? Can you post it here?
    With it, there's a chance to create a cloudcutter profile and flash via OTA without a need to open it. Not all of us have these nice tools you do :)

    If you post the firmware backup, keep in mind that it might contain your wifi credentials (if the device was connected via app before).
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #3 21261588
    nielspiersma
    Level 9  
    Nice work, I also bought two. Firmware reports as 1.1.17 other hardware 1.0.5 in the Tuya app.
    I tried an OTA update with Cloud Cutter, but I was unsuccessful.
    It's always nice to flash these devices without opening them.
    At least for now you confirmed to me no RT chip is used :)

    Some observations: they seem to make use of the same casting as the "WOOX R6132 Slimme stekkerdoos met energiemeter"
    The plastic rubber caps are precisely the same as well as the wall mounting carvings.


    NIels
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #6 21263663
    nielspiersma
    Level 9  
    Thanks @piotrszulc1,
    As unfortunate as it is, it is confirmed now, and there is no need to play with Tuya Cloud Cutter any more.
    I will do the soldering flash on the two I've bought. I think it is still a good buy.
    NIels
  • #7 21264621
    nielspiersma
    Level 9  
    >>21259970

    There was a typo in the template, I've updated it:

    Code: JSON
    Log in, to see the code
  • #8 21269241
    nik156
    Level 18  
    Has anyone here on the strip and can write me if it makes any sounds, squeaks? I bought it and it squeaks, chatters, transmits walrus.
  • #9 21270193
    nielspiersma
    Level 9  
    Hola,

    No it shouldn't make that noise. It has no speaker or other sound generator onboard.
    If it does make sound likely once.of the capacitors is faulty or a relay is flipping like there is no tomorrow.

    Bottom line, it should be quite a silent device

    Niels
  • #10 21270650
    nik156
    Level 18  
    Mine unfortunately squeaks when it is switched off. It's the second one I've replaced in the shop.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #11 21280747
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    Pulse power supply coils can also squeal. However, are you referring to the relay when changing state from on to off or off to on?
    A power supply can also make a sound when it is faulty. See:
    How to fix a smart device that chirps, squeaks and makes strange sounds?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #12 21281327
    nik156
    Level 18  
    I bought one and in the same sound I went to replace it. It turned out that the other piece was also squeaking. I abandoned the purchase and received a refund.
    It beeped without relay activation, just when plugged in, although when the relays were on you could also hear the beeping, but in a different form. Even when the power was switched off you could hear such a squeal with a descending parabola. This is known to be of great importance at night.
  • #13 21389637
    Maximilian0017
    Level 6  
    It looks more like a "Paspen" or "Spanstift" what you used to open it.
    Thanks for sharing on how to open it!

    And yes, this unit whines when the relays are all off.

    I'll try to open one in the coming week.
  • #14 21392765
    Maximilian0017
    Level 6  
    Just opened one of the units without damage using the 3 or 4mm "Paspen" or "Spanstift"
    It isn't that easy because the Paspen will pop off the screw quite easily.
    Tips:
    - first try to turn the Paspen until it locks a bit, then hammer it a few times.
    - during the removal keep pressure on the Paspen, even if it pops off try to grip it by turning until it locks and keeping pressure.
    - do not hit the Paspen with the hammer if you almost have the screw out, it will damage the threads.

Topic summary

The discussion revolves around the challenges of disassembling the LSC Smart Connect Smart Power Strip, particularly due to the unique screws that lack a standard recess, making them difficult to remove with conventional tools. Users shared their experiences and solutions, including the use of a "spanhuls" or "Spanstift" to grip and turn the screws. Some participants reported issues with the device making unwanted noises, such as squeaks or chirps, which could indicate faulty components. Others confirmed that the device should operate quietly under normal conditions. The conversation also touched on firmware flashing and compatibility with Tuya Cloud Cutter, with some users expressing concerns about the device being patched, which complicates OTA updates.
Summary generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT