tuya-convert VS ESPecial

First of all I've tried Tuya-Convert but it was never able to find the device. I've also tried TuyOTA with similar results, it just seems like it can't detect the device at all - neither in pairing mode, nor in normal operation mode.

I was about to say a similar thing. Companies closing off their devices with paywall and other closed API are calling for a hack. I found this repo on GitHub

Mit tuya-convert.

Is it possible to run custom firmware on them? Like using https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert (not sure if this one is compatible with the newer lamps). Or maybe something else?

If it has an ESP chip, it probably won't OTA with https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert since that doesn't work on recent Tuya firmware, hence the blakadder page showing manual flashing.

> They cost >2x the Meross ones. Got 2. They work so far. Crossing my fingers they're legit, though my guess is they won't last.

FYI - there are cheap Tuya devices that can be flashed with alternative firmware[1] which works locally. More generically, there a lot of ESP32-based switches that work with Tasmota open-source firmware[2]. There breadth of devices is annoying because it makes configuration difficult because because different manufacturer wire up the relays differently, so it took me trial and error to figue out which device "port" the firmware needs to toggle to turn the switch on/off

1. https://github.com/ct-Open-Source/tuya-convert

2. https://github.com/tasmota

If you're already comfortable with Docker, setting up ESPHome and Home Assistant should be fairly easy for you, and will unlock lots of options. Depending on the hardware revision of your smartbubls, you might even be able to use Tuya-Convert to install ESPHome or Tasmota on your existing bulbs, and completely cut ties with Tuya and the cloud.

I also did something similar in ESPecial. But in addition, commands are customizable. You can add automations (like turning lights at a certain hours, or turning a servo motor, sending an http request) and find them directly as a button in your telegram bot, without coding anything.

I’m currently developing ESPecial where you can set automations via the web interface. This means you can trigger events via your gpios (so any sensor you want) then send a message to telegram with a picture (just have to turn the switch for picture in the automation). I’ve recently added the support of esp-cam, I have some issues with video streaming but sending picture to telegram seems to work fine so fare. Have a look at it ;)

I wanted to make something similar for people who wanted to learn iot, or just start a project without having to code. I ended up with ESPecial. With it you can program automations, events, http calls, mqtt, telegram, camera, and of course gpios (Dac, adc, pwn, i2c, touchcontrol). But I wanted to make it cloud less. You can easily control your esp32 via a telegram bot. What is the additional value of going through the cloud? (True question here :) )

implement ESP-CAM handlers

I’ve developed a firmware for ESP32 that is made for people who don’t want to code. This is (ESPecial)[https://github.com/RomeHein/ESPecial], it gives you all you need to program complex behaviors without a line of code. Unlike ESPhome, you don’t need to load a new program every time you want to program something new in your esp32. Everything is done via your web browser. For instance I use it for all my smart things, like smart lock, smart lights, watering plants, controlling my kitchen hood etc etc. Have a look at it, I’ve developed it exactly for your case :)