ControlThink Forums

My local Skandia supplier just got back to me, saying that the TH950 motorization kit ships with a hexagonal tilt shaft adapter, and that they couldn't guarantee that it would work on my blinds (my tilt shaft is 1/4-inch, square), and that the motorization kit is not returnable.

I called Donna at Skandia's customer service desk in Florida to verify this, and she said that the motorization kit is provided with the intent that it be used on existing Techniku blinds that use the hexagonal tilt shaft adapter.  They have made no provision for adapting other manufacturer's blinds.  She couldn't say whether the shaft adapter could be removed, replaced, or altered.  Skandia does not have any other shaft adapters for that motor.

Oh well, on to another project.

The th950 motor is a universal motor which can be added to almost any blind, there are several tilt rod adapters for different sizes and shapes.

what brand are your current blinds? feel free to contact me and I can get you whatever pricing you need.

i went and ordered the draper z-wave motorized blinds and will post back my results once i receive it.  according to draper it can have multiple stops but currenting they only support full open/close only.

draper came in.  included it with a leviton remote (they state they test with ha09).  it showed up as a dimmer.  cannot use dimmer set levels to control.  i have to hold the +- buttons down to control up/down state.  whenever i let go of the button it stops.  not sure if i can set an 'on' scene level so i don't have to hold the button down everytime.  i will test some more and confirm.  other than that it works flawlessly.  i have even been able to control it via the cooper wiring battery operated wall controller (wall dimmer switch) by holding down the dim toggle switch.  works great. lol.

anyone else got a hold of the other shades from other companies?

Ok is this to tilt blinds? I have honeycomb blinds that I want to automate to open(lift) and close(lower) will the TH950 do that and how do I incorporate it into the system?

if not the th950 what product should I look for and I want one that can stop at any level not simply full open or close only

Ok I looked around looks like I will need one of the LC line ones but after reading thier website I am still not sure which one I will need as there are 3 that could fit my requirements unless I am missing something.

thanks MK

There are two ways to do this:

Today: make sure you get a motor controller which can control tilt/traverse independently and which support Z-Wave "scene" support.  Then, use the advanced scene capabilities of the Z-Wave PC SDK.  This is basically "record and playback" for positions.

In the near future: a new "multi-device" profile was just released for Z-Wave, which we're incorporating into the 2.0 SDK.  It will let you control multiple motors (i.e. tilt _and_ traverse) independently if the motor control supports that.

Chris

What Zwave module are they talking about that works with these? (techniku)

chris,

do you know what this device will show up as.  i have a multlvl motor now.

also, i fixed the shades for intermediate as well as open/close by setting the stops on the shade.  thanks Chris for your help on this.

i can now just hit on button for full open and off button for full close or i can hold the -+ for intermediate stops on a leviton remote.

All the shades should show up as "multilevel motors."

Chris

Hey synergistic,

was this a complete blind and motor or an addon? I was searching thru their site do they offer an addon or only their own complete system.

thanks

So I've ordered the Techniku LC300-s to try it out. I am not sure what module I will need to control it since the documentation i have found so far seems to lack that information, but I will dig deeped to see what I can come up with.

Anyways once I get it up and running if anyone is interested and want the same feature I will try to document my excursion into this dark drapery adventure.....

More to come soon (I hope)

MK

probably only their own complete system although the components are bought seperately. 

the z-wave bridge and motor are seperate pieces.  the z-wave bridge is quite large.  they are hardwired together. supposedly you can run the length several hundred feet although they only sell something like up to a 10 foot length.  you would have to make your own cabling to do so.  the unit plugs in with a standard pc type plug/adapter.

it is not as quiet as other regular shade systems on the market.

you can see it being used in a demo under the gallery link on my website www.idesignsgroup.com

click the red down arrow twice to scroll to the bottom and then doubleclick the 1st video.  i think i control it with a battery operated cooper wiring wall dimmer controller in this instance.

well currently on hold for this project since the blinds I ordered did not come as specified anyways I will hopefully have this solution up and running soon.

 MK

If anyone is still interested in this I may be able to help.  I work in the window covering industry and, as a result, ESI and Somfy and many other companies (some of which have z-wave solutions). 

While I haven't read the entire thread, I'll state that battery shades are a pain and should only be used on doors or somewhere that wiring would be impossible to retofit.

 I'll help anyway I can.  Let me know.

Shady:

If anyone is still interested in this I may be able to help.

I have the Graber® G-71 SuperVue® 3 1/2" Vertical Blind in a window behind the master bath tub, rather awkward to control manually.  I have been looking at getting the Add-a-Motor model 800DR system to control the blinds tilt, and running the power adaptor to an outlet controlled by a zwave switch.  I would have to add both the outlet and the switch.  I think that would work, but what other alternatives would I have?