devices.esphome.io

GHome SW5

Device Type: switch
Electrical Standard: us
Board: bk7231n

Product Image

Flashing

The newer versions off amazon US (2024+) of this device came with a Beken BK7231N chip

For newer devices, use a USB to serial adapter, and solder wires onto the pads marked TX, RX, 3.3V and GND. If you have the stock firmware on the device, you can hold the button for 5 seconds to reset it to get itchiptool to work.

build the firmware in esphome and flash it using the itchiptool

download the firmware in the uf2 format

Install itchiptool from here

figure out the serial port the device is connected to and run the following command (in my case it was /dev/ttyUSB0 in linux, but in windows it will be a com port)

run the following command to flash the firmware ltchiptool flash write -d /dev/ttyUSB0 YOUR_FIRMWARE_FILE.uf2

you will see an output like this:

I: Detected file type: UF2 - esphome 2023.11.6
I: Connecting to 'Beken 7231N' on /dev/ttyUSB0 @ 115200
I: Connect UART1 of the BK7231 to the USB-TTL adapter:
I:
I:     --------+        +--------------------
I:          PC |        | BK7231
I:     --------+        +--------------------
I:          RX | ------ | TX1 (GPIO11 / P11)
I:          TX | ------ | RX1 (GPIO10 / P10)
I:             |        |
I:         GND | ------ | GND
I:     --------+        +--------------------
I:
I: Using a good, stable 3.3V power supply is crucial. Most flashing issues
I: are caused by either voltage drops during intensive flash operations,
I: or bad/loose wires.
I:
I: The UART adapter's 3.3V power regulator is usually not enough. Instead,
I: a regulated bench power supply, or a linear 1117-type regulator is recommended.
I:
I: To enter download mode, the chip has to be rebooted while the flashing program
I: is trying to establish communication.
I: In order to do that, you need to bridge CEN pin to GND with a wire.

Power cycle the device by removing the 3.3v

Don't disconnect the usb/serial converter just remove 3.3v to the device to power cycle it

When it turns back on it will be in download mode and you should see something similar to this:

I: |-- Success! Chip info: BK7231N
I: Writing 'MY_CUSTOM_FIRMWARE.uf2'
I: |-- esphome 2023.11.6 @ 2023-12-15 07:08:48 -> generic-bk7231n-qfn32-tuya
Writing (0x011000)  [###############################################################-]   99%  00:00:00
W: The current command timeout of 1.0 second(s) is too low for reading 905216 bytes CRC. Increasing to 3 second(s).
Booting firmware  [################################################################]  100%

Congrats you are done! You can now disconnect it and wire in the normal switch!

Pinout

Pin	Function
P7	Button
P6	Green LED
P14	Relay
P16	Red LED

Example YAML Config

esphome:
  name: ghome_sw5
  friendly_name: Ghome SW5

bk72xx:
  board: generic-bk7231n-qfn32-tuya

logger:

api:
  encryption:
    key: !secret api_key

ota:
  - platform: esphome
    password: !secret ota_password

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

  ap:
    ssid: "Ghome SW5 Fallback Hotspot"
    password: !secret fallback_password

captive_portal:

# Status LED configuration
status_led:
  pin:
    number: P7  # WiFi/Green LED
    inverted: true

# Output configuration for the red LED
output:
  - platform: gpio
    id: red_led
    pin:
      number: P16  # Red LED
      inverted: false

# Light configuration for Home Assistant
light:
  - platform: binary
    output: red_led
    id: led
    name: "Red LED"

# Binary sensor for the button
binary_sensor:
  - platform: gpio
    pin:
      number: P8  # Button
      mode: INPUT_PULLUP
    id: button1
    on_press:
      then:
        - switch.toggle: relay1

# Relay switch configuration
switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: P14  # Relay
    id: relay1
    name: "Relay Switch"
    on_turn_on:
      - light.turn_off: led  # Turn off the red LED when relay is on
    on_turn_off:
      - light.turn_on: led  # Turn on the red LED when relay is off

Notes/Issues/Troubleshooting

Use an external 3.3v power supply, the onboard regulator is not enough to power the device and flash.

There are at least 2 versions of this device and I found photos with the bk7231t they are not compatible, you need to build the firmware for the correct chip. I know because I was scratching my head until I actually took a photo and confirmed the chip on my board

Here is the amazon link to the device I bought: Amazon Link
- Good as of Sept 2024
This is an exact teardown of the device (with the other controller) Teardown
I designed and 3d printed a pogo based clip to flash the device here is the Onshape Link
Amazon link for the pogo pins Amazon Link
- Labeled on amazon uxcell 100 Pcs PL75-B1 0.7mm Tip 16mm Spring Test Probes Pin for PCB Board