Bunnings - internet controlled power strips

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Bunnings - internet controlled power strips

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PANiCnz

936 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2380331 23-Dec-2019 11:29

gcorgnet:

PANiCnz: Don’t use the app, you need to replace the firmware with Tasmota or similar. Google a piece of software call tuya-convert.

Sure, but I supposed I need to somehow be able to connect the plug intom my network first, right? How do I do that without the app?

Also, is tuya-convert linux only?

No it doesn't need to connect to your network first. Tuya-convert creates an AP that the smart plug and your smartphone connect to, you put the plug into paring mode and it connects to the Tuya-convert AP allowing you to overwrite the firmware. Once the plug is converted to Tasmota it creates an AP, which you log into with your smartphone and configure your wireless network etc.

As far as I'm aware its Linux only, I've done it using a Linux VM and a RPi.

With earlier plugs it was actually advisable not to connect the app as it upgraded the stock firmware. Its only recently that this newer firmware can be overwritten by Tuya-convert.

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gcorgnet

1056 posts

Uber Geek

#2380332 23-Dec-2019 11:30

Awesome, thanks. Will give a VM a try

boosacnoodle

651 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2380334 23-Dec-2019 11:36

A word of caution: One of my devices got bricked using tuya-convert.

gcorgnet

1056 posts

Uber Geek

#2380338 23-Dec-2019 11:54

I think I am stuck anyway... my only Linux xomputer is an Intel NUC and for some reason, tuya-convert says AP mode is not available on the Wifi Controller

I tried VirtualBox on my Windows host but that's also a no go to VirtualBox not being able to let the VM use a Wifi adapter (unless it's USB?)

I normally have a RasbPi but it's currently on loan...

Anything else I should consider?

Any good soul around Birkdale in Auckland who would let me use their Linux box to flash my plugs? I'd really like to get these working to hook up the xmas tree and there's only a few days left :-)

PANiCnz

936 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2380351 23-Dec-2019 12:16

gcorgnet:

Any good soul around Birkdale in Auckland who would let me use their Linux box to flash my plugs? I'd really like to get these working to hook up the xmas tree and there's only a few days left :-)

If you get desperate I'm in Papakura and have a Nano Pi already configured with Tuya-convert.

gcorgnet

1056 posts

Uber Geek

#2380364 23-Dec-2019 12:46

PANiCnz:

gcorgnet:

Any good soul around Birkdale in Auckland who would let me use their Linux box to flash my plugs? I'd really like to get these working to hook up the xmas tree and there's only a few days left :-)

If you get desperate I'm in Papakura and have a Nano Pi already configured with Tuya-convert.

Thanks mate. I can't make it all the way there but your offer is much appreciated :-)

dolsen

1443 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2380372 23-Dec-2019 13:10

gcorgnet:

Anything else I should consider?

I successfully used a live version of Kali to use tuya-convert on a few Kogan smart plugs.

I don't think this was the guide I used, but, seems pretty similar.

https://everythingsmarthome.co.uk/howto/tuya-convert-guide-ota-flashing-of-smart-bulbs-and-plugs/

This should work if you have access to a laptop that has the correct wifi adapter and doesn't have any install requirements.

PANiCnz

936 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2380376 23-Dec-2019 13:28

gcorgnet:

PANiCnz:

gcorgnet:

Any good soul around Birkdale in Auckland who would let me use their Linux box to flash my plugs? I'd really like to get these working to hook up the xmas tree and there's only a few days left :-)

If you get desperate I'm in Papakura and have a Nano Pi already configured with Tuya-convert.

Thanks mate. I can't make it all the way there but your offer is much appreciated :-)

Fair enough I wouldn't want to drive across Auckland at the moment. If you're going the VM route you'll need to pass-through the Wifi adapter, this will be easiest with a USB adapter. PCI adapters are doable but you'll need support for VT-d etc and that gets a bit more complicated.

gcorgnet

1056 posts

Uber Geek

#2380925 24-Dec-2019 13:53

Right, managed to get my Arlec Single plugs flashed with Tasmota via tya-convert and then automatically discovered by Home Assistant into light entities. Very happy witht hat \o/

Big thanks to @xbmcnut for supplying the Rasp Pi Zero W that did the job!

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