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What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:37 am
by Different Computers
I know I've seen discussion of blind and shade controls here, but the appropriate forum is empty.

We're renovating my office, and since it's mine I can use it for all sorts of trial automation. This office has one window, standard 36" double hung, and I'd like a vertical motorized modern looking blind or shade. Optimally, it would be an accordion shade. (Is that what they call them?) I'm in the US.

What are people using?

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 2:45 pm
by jalves
We have Bali motorized accordion shades on four windows (well, 2 windows and a pair on a slider). They are Z-wave so I should be able to add them to my system for Indigo control. I just haven't yet done that - but others have.

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:15 am
by Swancoat
I have a Lutron honeycomb shade (assume that's the 'accordion' style you mention) in my office and some roller shades in my living room. My experience with Lutron has been outstanding. Most of my Lutron stuff has been bulletproof. Two of my roller shades recently started to fail though - I contacted Lutron tech support (which is really good). Once they were aware of exactly what was going on, etc... the solution was basically, "Yep. Can't fix that. Send us the info from the sticker in the battery compartment and we'll remake the shades and send you new ones."

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:27 am
by durosity
Wow that’s pretty epic customer services from Lutron.. that said I suppose they’re quite expensive so they probably build some of that cost into replacement modules!

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 2:19 pm
by Different Computers
I thought I'd revisit this topic with a slightly different twist.

I am blessed that my wife is a very talented seamstress, and she has made almost all the curtains for our home. These are universally hung on a plain rod with rings, no drawstring. That's fine with me--except that I have been unable to find any sort of way to automate this short of jury rigged pulleys and motors.

Anyone in this situation and either aware of an existing solution or who has figured out how to conquer the problem?

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 6:01 pm
by FlyingDiver
I wonder if you could rig up some sort of linear actuator just under the rod, behind the drapes, that would pull/push them. Should be able to get something with at least 100% extension.

A pair of these would give you 48" open in the center: https://www.robotshop.com/en/firgelli-2 ... uator.html

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 12:40 am
by howartp
Get a new wife, then new curtains?

Alternatively, a full length worm/threaded rod hidden behind the main rod, with motor on the end powered by Zwave 2-way module.

(*actually it would need to be two rods or the curtains would gather at one end, not split in middle)


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Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:57 am
by durosity
howartp wrote:
Get a new wife, then new curtains?


That’s what I’d have said. I’m clearly rubbing off on you.

Being sensible for a moment can’t you just replace the track with a properly motorised one? The cost of them is coming down.. when I last looked at then 5 years it’s cost minimum £400 for a simple straight window, now it’d seem a bay window can cost as little as £159. Add a z-wave module to that and you’ve got nice looking curtain rail without any jerryrigged mechanisms that in my experience tend to fail :/


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Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 2:32 pm
by noel1983
Any links to the reasonable price ones you mention Durosity?
cheers

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2018 6:02 pm
by durosity
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2864915630

Now this one by default comes with a wireless remote, but I was messaging them and they said they can substitute that for a 4 wired connection that IN THEORY should work with a fibaro roller shutter module (to allow for closing to a % level) or at the very least a dual relay module that’d allow it to fully open and fully close. Now I’ve not bought one of these yet due to all sorts of crazy stuff going on lately (I tell ya 2018 has been horrid so far!) but I do intend to once some things clear up.


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Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 5:27 pm
by pbaperez
Anyone know how to start a post on the the appropriate forum, per the above?

I just completed a DIY motorized sun shade project that I want to share.

Used a Somfy motor, thought I'd share it.

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 6:10 pm
by DaveL17
pbaperez wrote:
Anyone know how to start a post on the the appropriate forum, per the above?

I just completed a DIY motorized sun shade project that I want to share.

Used a Somfy motor, thought I'd share it.

I would think that this would be a good forum to use: https://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=133

Re: What kind of blinds/shades are you using?

PostPosted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 2:14 am
by Damlala
Are the blinds automatic or manual?

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