ControlThink Forums

The Techniku stuff looks like fun, and it almost sounds like you should be able to motorize your existing blinds, but what I gather from their web site is that they only deal with OEM's and fabricators.

So is there an OEM that packages a Techniku conversion kit for DIY's?

Gary,

I'd call them directly and see what they can do for you.

Chris

Nicole Lauer at Techniku says that the ZWave-enabled horizontal blind product won't launch until June 1.  Scandia will be the OEM, and they supposedly have a retrofit kit on their price list.  The ZWave-enabled product will require the power supply (NOT the battery) option.  Nicole doesn't know if the retrofit kit listed by Scandia will be ZWave capable.  However, Techniku's electronic interface (EI), that would be part of the retrofit kit, is designed to accept module upgrades, including the ZWave module.

Since the ZWave option requires a power supply, and the use of a power supply implies new construction (unless you want to tear your wall apart to hide the power supply and wiring), I suspect that you'll have to jump through some hoops to come up with a ZWave retrofit for existing blinds.

Gary,

Two quick things:
1. I've seen installers hide the power in retrofit operations by running thin wall-matching piping along one side of the window frame (indoors).
2. The new 300-series Z-Wave chips finally makes battery-operated shades possible. I expect to see motor control manufacturers creating these in the future.

Chris

Oops, I've been visiting scandiablinds.com, when all along it's been Skandia with a "k"

Still nothing on their site yet about motorized retrofit kits or Techniku ZWave plugin modules for the kits.

Maybe the Techniku plugin module will be one of the featured "surprises" on the upcoming ControlThink web store.

Gary,

I think their launch was pushed back at least a few weeks to get up to speed. I'd phone Techniku and see what they can do for you :)

Chris

I just spoke with Donna at Skandia.  They do not sell to DIYs at all.  She told me to try the dealer locator on their site.  Donna says that IR is the only available remote solution at this time.  She is aware of the ZWave RF technology, but says that it will not be available until August at the earliest.

No luck contacting Techniku.  It seems that their entire staff is on the road at the moment, leaving only the receptionist to answer the phones.  No recent updates to their site, and the ZWave section is still "under construction."

garylm wrote:

I just spoke with Donna at Skandia.  They do not sell to DIYs at all.  She told me to try the dealer locator on their site.  Donna says that IR is the only available remote solution at this time.  She is aware of the ZWave RF technology, but says that it will not be available until August at the earliest. No luck contacting Techniku.  It seems that their entire staff is on the road at the moment, leaving only the receptionist to answer the phones.  No recent updates to their site, and the ZWave section is still "under construction."

Gary, Search Skandia on YouTube and you should find a video I created of ThinkEssential controlling the Skandia blinds at EHX Spring 2007. The Techniku motor controllers are controlled by a class similar to the Lighting class. In fact I think they actually were in the lighting class initially but I think that has since changed.(Chris?)

Anyways, from my understanding all the remotes which can control dimmers should be able to control shades also.

I just submitted my forms to Skandia to try and become a dealer. Hopefully they will accept me and perhaps I can sell you some window treatments in the future. I will try to keep you updated.

Squintz wrote:

perhaps I can sell you some window treatments in the future. I will try to keep you updated.

That would be great. 

I've got my eye on the TH950 motor for 2-inch horizontal blinds.  Apparently it's the only motor that has enough torque to actually hold the blinds closed.  The other motors roll back and leave a gap.  I'm amost tempted to go with the IR option for now, and then hope for a ZWave plug-in module later.

It looks like Hunter Douglas may soon have ZWave blinds available.  Electronic Solutions, which was acquired by Hunter Douglas earlier this year, has recently made a ZWave-enabled AC motor control available, and their site says the DBMZ DC motor control will be available soon.  ZWave blinds might follow close on the heels of the DBMZ.

If ZWave blinds from Hunter Douglas are as elusive as the Techniku blinds, I might consider one of these retrofit kits, dumping the electronics that come with the kit, and replacing them with the DBMZ.  Maybe retrofit motors are available without the electronics.  Hopefully the DBMZ is sized to fit inside the blind's headrail.

Question:  If my headrails are made of metal, would a ZWave motor control mounted inside the headrail be shielded from RF?

I just spoke to Brian Hodd at Electronic Solutions.  He says that the ZWave DC motor control is currently undergoing a re-design to reduce the package size.  They are shooting for a 3" X 2 " X 1.5" module with the intent that it could be mounted inside the headrail of motorized blinds.  He says we can expect something within the next 45 days.

Apparently, common install practice is to hide the motor control module behind drapes, behind a cornice board, or inside a wall.  Home-run wiring to a central control panel is also a possibility.  However, implementing individual ZWave controls on a central control panel negates all of the advantages of a wireless mesh network.  Brian also says that there have been interference problems when mounting their ZWave devices close to each other.

Brian could not comment on any joint development efforts with Hunter Douglas.  He referred me to David Parrett in marketing for questions about Hunter Douglas.  David was not available to take my call. 

David Parrett at Electronic Solutions was very pleasant.  Here are some points from our conversation:

1.  If you're going to the expense of motorizing your window coverings, you might as well go with new window coverings rather than trying to retrofit existing coverings.
 
2.  A ZWave solution is not currently in the works with Hunter Douglas.

3.  Battery life is currently a concern, and a battery-powered solution will not be available for a couple of years.

4.  Depending on local building codes, it may be acceptable to mount DC motor controls in a junction box or in an attic.  David said he wouldn't hesitate to mount the controls in an attic.

5.  Most installers generally build a casing around the blind to hide the motor controls.

 

Electronic Solutions referred me to a local fabricator who is familiar with their motor controls.  The local fabricator recommended that Somfy motors be used with the Electronic Solutions controllers.

Somfy's download page has installation instructions for all of their motors, and wiring instructions for a variety of automation interfaces.  It looks like they've been at this for quite awhile.
 

A summary of what I've found so far:

1.  Techniku/Skandia will have DC-powered ZWave blinds available through select installers some day.  "DC" probably does not mean battery-powered.  Neither company has posted any updates since March.  Hopefully the motor control is mounted inside the headrail.

2.  Hunter Douglas powerTilt blinds work together with a special control module made by Electronics Solutions.   The blinds can be battery-powered.  The control module is not ZWave-enabled, even though Electronic Solutions is making other ZWave devices.  From the drawings it looks like it is intended that the motor control be mounted near the motor, but the motor control is too large to fit inside the headrail.

3.  Electronic Devices now has a ZWave control for AC motors and will have a controller for DC motors within 45 days.  Neither device will fit inside a headrail.  Somfy motorized blinds will work with these ZWave motor controllers.

Update:

Nicole at Techniku says they are currently shipping the ZWave product.  Donna at Skandia says she is currently doing qualification testing, and they will be ready to ship in two weeks.

Nicole says that the motor interface can be mounted inside the headrail of the 2-inch horizontal wood blinds, but you will have to remove it temporarily to access the button when adding to the ZWave network.  The motor on the 2-inch horizontal blinds is tilt-only.  The ZWave blinds use the model 950 motor, which does not have precise intermediate settings.  Consequently, you may not be able to get the tilt angle on multiple blinds to match exactly.  The 950 motor can be battery-powered, but the ZWave interface uses the 100-series chip, which cannot be battery powered.

With the ZWave-motor interface installed in the headrail, the Techniku product should make for a cleaner install than blinds controlled by the externally-mounted Electronic Solutions module.

Now we need to find out pricing.
 

Garylm:

 Will the Skandia blinds include celluar shade (up and down only)?

 Thanks

Mike