Automated Vertical Blinds ?

Post by **s8utt** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:46 am

Anyone built / seen / used any such devices to automate their blinds ?

I've found this device

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Draper ... tem/800DR/

but at $60 a time I've got 12 blinds I'd like to automate, that adds up to some cash.

I wouldn't think its that hard to build one, its not like the cord needs some serious torque to open or close them ( as in tilt ).

Just thought I'd see if anyone had seen any alternatives.

I did read on one site where someone has modified a barbeque spit motor but to say its was big and ugly was an understatement.

Post by **Bwired** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:51 am

Hi,
I have the same wish to automate my blinds in my office. I haven't seen a good solution yet. What I do know that the Marmitek drapery system is not best! Getting out of sync all the time and not so reliable.

Post by **Han** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:23 pm

Hi,
I have 4 windows with vertical blinds. I have modified the motors for turning the blinds in such a way that they are controlable with the standard infrared handcontrol as well as by my own controller.
I made a wired bus system (6 wires) that supply power to the motors (2 wires), select 1 out of 4 motors (2 wires), a direction control (1 wire) and the turning signal (1 wire).
The central controller is an X10 unit that generates the control signals. The controller has 4 addresses, one for each window. The blinds can be closed (off), opened (on), or put in an intermediate state (by sending X10 Bright or Dim commands). When opening the blinds (partly or complete), the controller first closes the blind. In this way the blind are is in a known position. This also enables controlling with the infrared unit without interfering with the automated proces. I have coupled the closing of the blinds to sunset. Opening is done on base of clock time. The system works for about 2 years now without problems.

Han Alink

Post by **s8utt** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:34 pm

sounds fantastic Han. Is the actual motor closing device a home made item or have you modified something you can purchase ?

Any pictures would be great, or a how to even better

Post by **Han** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:42 am

Hello,

I used the blinds from B&C. http://www.bece.com/nl/projects/product ... 1_25_0.xml
They supply a small motor with their blinds, which can be controlled by a infrared unit. The motor is controlled by a 4 transistor bridge. I connected additional resistors to the base of these transistors and controlled them from a simple electronic circuit, which is connected to the 6 wire bus.
If you want more details, let me know.

Han Alink

Post by **znjamznjam** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:24 pm

Hy Han

Can you tel me what is orientatie prise for motoriserde blinds bij B&C?

Thanks

Post by **Han** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:22 pm

For a window with length 196 cm and a height of 140 cm I paid 257,- This price includes the blinds itself. (supplier: GAMA, date: 22-01-03).

Han Alink

Post by **TANE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:45 pm

I have the same system.
I'm using Irtrans for controlling.
Problem is that the length of the IR signal need to be changed every few weeks because of the battery status.
closing is no problem..just send the signal a bit longer.