Absolutely! I had to look a bit since I’ve already automated so much of the house. But once I realized that I could expose the candles it became one of those things that I’m not sure how I lived without it. :)
Hey Chris just discovered your channel! Good stuff. I am trying to automate some IR candles via Apple automation for my wife for the holidays and your video is just what I was looking for! Quick question though - given that these are IR candles, do they need line of sight to the Switchbot mini hub?
Thanks Brian! This is one of my fav automations and still works great. So they DO need line of sight in the way that you can’t block them completely or put the switchbot mini in a cabinet. But… it’s not a direct point to point. The IR signal seems to blast in an almost 180 degree pattern (and more the further way you get) so I’m able to cover a large open space with the single Switchbot mini hub. The furthest candles away approx 20-25’) occasionally don’t receive the signal but I’ve found that sending the same signal three times in a row is enough to make it reliable almost 100% of the time. Hope this helps!
Hi, I love your channel! Have you come across LED candles that are made for HomeKit control from the get go? I bought the Philips Imageo candles a few years back, but would love to have candles that I do not need to (constantly) charge because I forgot to turn them upside down to turn them off...
Wow! Really appreciate the kind words! I haven’t found any native HomeKit candles, or honestly even any smart candles beyond the infrared controls in the cables shown in this video. Funny enough - the Switchbot ir blaster combined with Siri Shortcuts is on if the most reliable automations in my home. Yes I have to sent the command a few times in a row to get all the candles turned on - but it works every night. I honestly don’t expect to see any HomeKit candles anytime soon as the price for the “smart” components would drive the price up substantially.
