I recently stumbled upon a fantastic combination of devices that has really enhanced my smart home setup, and I wanted to share my experience with the community. Broadlink RM2 devices have been a game-changer for me, especially in controlling IR devices like my air conditioner and TV. But the real surprise came when I discovered that these devices can also work seamlessly with Jaycar’s Remote Controlled Mains Outlet Controllers!
I had seen these Jaycar controllers in a store and thought they might be useful, but I never imagined they would integrate so well with my Broadlink setup. After purchasing one on a whim, I was thrilled to find that it worked perfectly with the Broadlink component in Home Assistant. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for adding mains switches to my smart home setup at an incredibly affordable price—each additional outlet costs just around $13!
The setup process was straightforward. Once the Broadlink RM2 was configured, I simply paired the Jaycar controllers using the Broadlink app. The integration with Home Assistant was seamless, and I quickly had my new mains switches fully functional. My house is relatively small, but I estimate the range to be about 30 meters, which should be more than sufficient for most setups.
One of the most exciting aspects of this integration is the ability to use the emulated Hue component. This allows me to control these mains switches with my Amazon Echo or Google Home devices, adding a whole new layer of convenience to my smart home. Being able to say, ‘Hey Google, turn on the bedside lamps,’ and have it work flawlessly is incredibly satisfying.
I’m now looking into how far these controllers can be placed from the RM2 and still maintain reliable operation. My house isn’t large enough to test this extensively, but I’m curious to see how others have managed it. If anyone has experience with longer distances or any tips for optimizing range, I’d love to hear about it!
Overall, this has been a fantastic discovery, and I’m excited to explore more ways to integrate these devices into my smart home setup. It’s always wonderful to find cost-effective solutions that work well within the Home Assistant ecosystem. If you’re in Australia and haven’t considered these Jaycar controllers, I highly recommend giving them a try—they might just become your go-to solution for adding mains switches!