Replacing Tuya chip with ESP8266

[Thedude]

Did anyone tried replacing Tuya chip with ESP-01 ( aka ESP8266) as outlined in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_HpkIiWC3Y

Just wondering how difficult or easy it is and what is the outcome. How many ruined boards per one successful ?

Tuya is big time predator unfortunately with deep pockets. They developed their own chip that goes into 95% + of all iOT devices on the market. Of course they run their own app and spy on you big time. ESP8266 on the other hand is supported by many open source projects like Tasmota, Zumungo, ESPhome etc.

With all this said I'm eager to convert stock Tuya devices into ESP but not to bang my head against the wall, if it is not possible.

[Ken.238]

Not that hard, I replaced about 10 of treatlife light switch. I use the flameless heat blower like Berkling BSG-568 3-IN-1 Cordless Butane Gas Soldering Iron, Heat Gun Blower, Mini Torch - Self-Ignite, Instant Start, Rechargeable, Light Weight, Portable, Adjustable Flame Control, Up to 90 Mins to remove and solder on.

[Pete]

Recently updated to these Tuya switches which personally are the best looking for dimmers for my use.

They are a PITA to take apart and upgrade to Tasmota. That said so far working nice. I purchased a few (30 +) of these at a good deal.

I have converted them all over now to Tasmota but have only installed 1-2 of them.

VirageDimmer

Hidentech KS-7012

Wrote about the switch over to Tasmota here:

New Dimmer

I have a heat gun station with a variety of tips and a nice soldering station on the workbench here.

Ken.238

I would like to give this a try.

Reposted the video for folks to view.



Here is a repost of hardware necessary:

ESP8266 Code Burner (Amzn) - https://geni.us/lc6BBaD
ESP12F (choice) - https://geni.us/JANv
ESP32-C3 (US Ebay Shipper) - https://ebay.us/GtZiIW
Hot Air Rework Station (choice) - https://geni.us/sK5LDh
Soldering Iron (Amzn) - https://geni.us/ZUx4vcu or https://geni.us/7O5Ji06
Solder (Amzn) - https://geni.us/N2N1sCv or https://geni.us/WzXJ5dd
Flux (Amzn) - https://geni.us/iP8G
Toolkit (Amzn) - https://geni.us/X2Kj
Blue Tack (Amzn) - https://geni.us/gKnsC
Helping Hands (Amzn) - https://geni.us/wOFR6

Last time I tried this had some issues but it was related to soldering on a 44 pin ZIF connector to my touchscreen motherboards which was much more difficult.
It was all about using some flux and tinning the traces for the pata port and using a large magnifying lamp / glass (old one)

[Thedude]

Pete Thanks for sharing your experience and also thanks for posting links to help shopping for equipment and supplies for the job of replacing Tuya chip with ESP8266. With this said it doesn't seem that you have done that. It is my understanding that you went with Virage dimmers that are already ESP8266. You struggled with some inconsistency with their firmware and Tasmota templates but other than that you didn't replaced Tuya chip with ESP8266 chip.

Regardless, I'd love to avoid replacing Tuya chip. It seems that the OEM source is Hidentech KS-7012 and Virage just used KS-7012 hardware to flash their own firmware. Original is also much cheaper albeit one has to wait for shipment from China.

Can you confirm that Hidentech KS-7012 is ESP8266 based and not Tuya based ?

Can you share where did you get a "good deal" on 30+ units as I'm looking to order similar or even larger amount?

[Ken.238]

You flash the chip before solder back to board. The reason I used heat gun blower, I can remove the chip one side and the other without any damage to the board.

[Thedude]

Ken.238 Yes this makes sense. The only thing I don't understand in your case is why would you use portable propane blower. It is a good 3 in 1 tool for field repairs but for the lab I would use electric blower and solder as they have better control of temperature and do not produce exhaust from the burning process.

[Ken.238]

The electric blower work very well too. The reason I used gas one because that is company provide me. I work in industrial maintenance.

[Pete]

Can you confirm that Hidentech KS-7012 is ESP8266 based and not Tuya based ?

The Virage KS-7012 and Hidentech KS-7012 WiFi dimmers are Tuya based.

Purchased generic KS-7012 new old stock on Ebay.

I did test install the Virage firmware which is a custom Tasmota firmware. It worked fine for me. Then switched over to stock Tasmota firmware.

Virage Labs Virage Dimmer KS-7012

Search for "2Pcs Smart Dimmer Light Switch WiFi in wall Remote Control for Alexa Google Home" and make a best offer."

Purchased 6 more today...for tinkering..

2Pcs Smart Dimmer Light Switch WiFi in wall Remote Control for Alexa Google Home
Quantity: 3

You should get it by Sep 26.

Taxed on purchase.

$98.78

They are a PITA to take apart and upgrade. Documented this piece.

General notes for use with ESP Home.

This 120V dimmer switch comes with a customized Tasmota pre-installed.

There is a touch switch to turn the light on and off, and a rocker switch to control the brightness. It has two DIP switches to optimize performance with a variety of types and brands of LED and incandescent lights.

It is optimized for Home Assistant, Domoticz and OpenHab but you can easily flash an ESPHome binary using the Firmware Upgrade function in the built-in web interface.

[Pete]

Here have a Heat gun blower station which I purchased a few years ago. Really didn't use it much. Going to maybe try one of the Virage dimmers.

Soldering looks easy for the upgrade.

Most difficult update and mods here were to the Magic Home LED devices.

[Thedude]

Can you confirm that Hidentech KS-7012 is ESP8266 based and not Tuya based ?

The Virage KS-7012 and Hidentech KS-7012 WiFi dimmers are Tuya based.

Is the CPU Tuya or just the stock firmware is Tuya ?

[Ken.238]

If you replace esp8266 I think you flash to tasmota will fine. Do some research about tuya convert, you will find what firm ware work for you.

[Pete]

Is the CPU Tuya or just the stock firmware is Tuya ?

The TYWE3S (Tuya) module mostly takes care of Wi-Fi and software features while the MCU controls the actual hardware (buttons, relays, dimmer, power measurement, etc). The MCU is interfaced to TYWE3S using the serial interface which connects to the Rx and Tx pins.

For the above mentioned dimmer KS-7012 you flash Tasmota to the Tuya chip and it no longer connects to the cloud.

Last year purchased the Treatlife combo fan / dimmer switches and updated them with Tasmota.

Wrote about here ==> Treatlife combo fan light switch

They have been running just fine now on current Tasmota firmware.

[Guest]

https://tasmota.github.io/docs/devic...al-information

[risquare]

Thanks. That is really useful.

Pete Thanks for the valuable information about KS-7012. Wondering why would they need the MCU at all provided that TYWE3S itself has half dozen of GPIO's that could be used for the switch/dimmer functions directly.