Retrofitting roller blinds?

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stuffed

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#275936 17-Sep-2020 13:09

We have 2 roller sun blinds on large windows in our lounge and would like to see if they can be motorised.

Anyone had experience of retrofitting roller blinds?

Actually have a 3 pin plug already there from when we built 36 years ago.

Happy with mains or battery operated.

What App options are there?

Many thanks.

Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

chevrolux

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#2566809 17-Sep-2020 13:24

Yep! Done this a couple of times with great success.

I used the 230V motors from aliexpress, around $60. And then just a little DIY relay board with an ESP8266 for control. I have another set to do soon, and will use a Shelly 2.5 instead of my DIY controller.

Oh and I 3D printed the drive "gear" to fit the profile of my particular blind tubes.

Much better than paying the ridiculous local pricing of the pre-made solutions.

stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#2566815 17-Sep-2020 13:39

Thanks for that but a little bit out of my tech abilities!

Just looking for something that can get locally and mainstream and will pay.

Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

Chippo

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#2566832 17-Sep-2020 14:05

I'm using the rollease automate motors. They were supplied by the company that initially supplied the blinds. Nothing special for compatibility.

https://www.rolleaseacmeda.com/us/products/motorization

Depending on your roller blinds, the motor / battery unit slips inside the existing blind roll. I've got Solar Panels on a couple of them, and need to plug the others in for a few hours a couple of times a year.

They have their own remote, but I also bought the optional hub for Apple Homekit (And Home Assistant) integration

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

timmmay

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#2566867 17-Sep-2020 14:42

We just ordered new blinds, they said a battery lasts about 6 - 9 months so no need for mains, just charge them occasionally. We've ordered the central controller option, comes with a central remote that controls all rooms.

chimera

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#2566877 17-Sep-2020 14:54

Unsure about your ceiling space, but I've recently done the same thing to the bedrooms (did hallways blinds many years ago though)

I bought these from Aliexpress, about $80 (with taxes) each delivered.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32989424153.html

I used a drill with long auger bit to drill up through the top of the window into the ceiling, then ran wires back to my office. I use a CCTV box that delivers multiple 12V outputs, so wire the blinds into this.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001216939106.html

Works perfectly. Super quiet compared to some rollertrol blinds I bought from the USA about 4 years ago.

chimera

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#2566886 17-Sep-2020 15:01

The drill hole is only 10mm for the wire, so hardly seen. Easier to manage than battery operated blinds.