Anyone know if these smart plugs are able to integrate into HA?
Many of these devices are based on a reference design provided by a company called Tuya. This company also operates a cloud service that enables these devices to offer “smart” features. They also provide apps to configure and control the devices. In other words, Tuya provides a ‘turn-key’ solution for any manufacturer who wishes to enter the “smart home” market with products bearing their name.
All this to say, it’s probably a Tuya-based device and supported by the Tuya integration.
Advanced topic:
Some people choose to replace the device’s firmware with free, open-source firmware (like Tasmota) in order to eliminate the device’s dependence on Tuya’s cloud service. In that case, the device can be locally controlled (i.e. when you command it to turn on, the command goes to the device as opposed to going to Tuya’s cloud service first and then back to the device).
@123,
Thanks for the info. I guess I wasn’t sure if that product was based on Tuya or not. I am somewhat familiar with the process of replacing Tuya-based devices with custom firmware (seen some YT videos about it). I’ve just never actually done it.
For the low price at HomeDepot, I’ll probably purchase it and give it a shot. I’d much rather get it running EspHome or Tasmota instead of having it call out to their cloud. If I happen to break/brick it in the process, at least it will only be a few bucks lost in the learning process.o
That link you posted to Home Depot’s site is, for some unknown reason, causing my browser problems (page is very slow to load). Based on what I can see in the URL, I tried to find a Commercial Electric plug in this Tasmota template repository but it’s not listed:
Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean it is not Tuya-based, just that no one has created a template for it.
Be advised that if the device is running Tuya’s latest firmware, it will prevent the use of Tuya-Convert (the wireless way to replace the device’s firmware). If that proves to be true, you will have to open the device, connect wires to specific pins within it (from an FTDI serial-USB adapter connected to your PC) in order to flash it with Tasmota.
FWIW, I recently purchased a pack of two CE SmartHome outlets from Costco. They’re on clearance for CAD$9.97 (which is about USD$7.60). I was able to use Tuya-Convert and their template is here.
Costco also sells the Feit Smart Dimmer (pack of 3 for around CAD$39 or USD$30). Although that’s a great price, after doing some research I learned that they have the version of firmware that thwarts the use of Tuya-Convert. In addition, one of the pins you need to access (GPIO0, for flashing) is located underneath the chip! So the only way to flash them is by unsoldering the chip from the PCB. That’s a step that, I feel, most casual hobbyists aren’t willing to take (aside from the extra tools, time and labor, a screwup can render the device inoperable), effectively making them unusable with Tasmota (except for a few very determined people).
I don’t mean to sound discouraging. The Commercial Electric device probably doesn’t fall into this category of “trouble”. However, I thought you should know what sort of challenges exist in this endeavor to convert inexpensive devices to Tasmota.
Given my experience with that specific store brand, I would not recommend it. I am using 4 shelly plugs which are $13 each, and they have HASS, MQTT, and HTTP control out of the box
Hey, I got one of them too, so far not able to flash with tuya convert… I am trying to open the case to see if can be flashed wired.
I tried running tuya convert on a couple of these Commercial Electric smart plugs. Never got it to work. I ended up ordering a couple Goklug smart plugs instead (which are close in price):
These worked easily the first time using tuya convert and I was able to put esphome on them without issues. So I’ll be returning the CE plugs.
So I got them too. Did you succeed in flashing yours?