Motorised blinds availability to Ireland?

Basq · 18-01-2021 12:46am

wexfordman2 wrote: »

If you havnt got the blinds fitted yet, have you looked at the ones where the motor is fitted inside the tube ?

Yeah, the crowd selling the blinds want roughly €150 additional for each blind with it.. it's a nice to have at probably a €50 - €75 price point but don't think it warrants half the cost again on top of a blind.

wexfordman2 · 18-01-2021 1:48am

Take a look at ali Express they have a good few, the zemismart brand are quite good for electric curtainsz and they also do roller blinds.

I've bought 3 sets off aliexpress and a fourth in the way, electric curtains now, not blinds

beauf · 18-01-2021 2:31am

Might be of interest...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLPNFNeCsrU&ab_channel=Techmoan

OffalyMedic · 24-01-2021 5:46pm

Does anyone know what width ikea Fridans roller blind tube is? Can't seem to find it online

gfaces · 12-02-2021 2:23pm

I recently added motorisation to several of my blinds. I purchased dooya dm15le motors.
The 15 is the diameter of the motor (15mm) and the le indicates its lithium rechargeable battery powered. These motors will drive blinds with aluminium tubes from 17mm upto 28mm.
You may need to get adapters for the crown and drive end of the motor to suit your tube.

I also purchased some Dooya DC920 remote controls. These can control upto five blinds and you can also set timers on them so the blinds come up in the morning and down in the evening say.

The motors were 50 euro and the remotes a relatively expensive 25 euro each thou you can get cheaper ones.

All in circa 80 euro a blind. Dooya and Somfy are part of the same group and most of what
people are selling are OEM branded Dooya motors with Dooya controls. All bought on Aliexpress. Ordered on the 25th of Jan arrived 5th of Feb.

gfaces · 12-02-2021 5:31pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Take a look at ali Express they have a good few, the zemismart brand are quite good for electric curtainsz and they also do roller blinds.

I've bought 3 sets off aliexpress and a fourth in the way, electric curtains now, not blinds

I am looking to get some motorised curtains. I have a bay window so will need some 135 degree joins. Did the zenismart track set have the option for these?

wexfordman2 · 12-02-2021 8:53pm

gfaces wrote: »

I am looking to get some motorised curtains. I have a bay window so will need some 135 degree joins. Did the zenismart track set have the option for these?

Yep, but I think you order the bends separately, alongside an articulated trolley, pm the seller first before you order.

I'm still delighted with mine, have 4 sets of curtains done now, and the next one will also be a bay window like yours.

gfaces · 14-02-2021 8:12pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Yep, but I think you order the bends separately, alongside an articulated trolley, pm the seller first before you order.

I'm still delighted with mine, have 4 sets of curtains done now, and the next one will also be a bay window like yours.

Yes looks like a nice product. Did you buy from Usmart life store (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1955049?spm=0.8937474.0.0.62012e0eH6Edph) or the Zenismart official store (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1848374?spm=0.8937474.0.0.62012e0eH6Edph).

The additional bends that can be purchased are 135 or 90 degree bends.

My bay window is approx 120 degree https://pasteboard.co/JOmaI5o.jpg

. Do you think the 1 metre lengths of track would take a slight bend?

wexfordman2 · 14-02-2021 8:44pm

I bought from the usmartlife store, and very happy, a few issues over delivery times, but that's what happens with Ali express. Funnily enough, the last shipment I got came from China via Singapore and was faster than from Belgium (I ordered from Belgium but he couldn't ship from there due to covid and brexit, so offered to ship from China and pay the duties)

Not sure what you mean by would the 1m tracks take a slight bend, sorry. If you mean can you physically bend them, I would say no, don't even try. Remember, you need to get the bend piece and the trolly also is articulated (in two pieces to allow it flow around the bend) compared to the straight run.

Not sure if I am explaining myself properly sorry, but to be clear, you 100% need the added bends and articulated trolly for a bay window, these are additional items not in your standard straight curtain solution.

Again, I am planning on doing our bay window next, but will be a few months probably before I do it (buying the curtains during lockdown is the problem).

wexfordman2 · 14-02-2021 8:49pm

Also, for info, the last set I got from him were the "newer design" which is by far the best, in that the motor is quieter and the power connection to it is a pluggable kettle lead as opposed to a permanent cable fromthe motor. Try get that version

gfaces · 14-02-2021 9:24pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

I bought from the usmartlife store, and very happy, a few issues over delivery times, but that's what happens with Ali express. Funnily enough, the last shipment I got came from China via Singapore and was faster than from Belgium (I ordered from Belgium but he couldn't ship from there due to covid and brexit, so offered to ship from China and pay the duties)

...

Yes I ordered a roller motor from them via belgium but he couldnt ship and offered to send via china. I instead got a refund and had no bother with them. Seem like a decent setup alright.

My bay windows have a 120 degree turn so the 135 degree insert is slightly off. I added a jpg on last post so you can visually see. Slightly bending the straight square aluminium tubing would result in a slightly great bend when using the 135 degree inserts. I probably need to wall mount rather then ceiling so just trying to work out if I can get the product to work.

wexfordman2 · 14-02-2021 9:47pm

I've wall mounted all mine so far, but the bay window will be ceiling mounted.

Are you planning on doing it on any other curtains ?

What you could do is order for another set of curtains a slightly longer length with an extra 1m section and see if you can bend it ?

I have a spare section I am sure, you are welcome to it, but I am in East Cork

gfaces · 14-02-2021 9:51pm

Yes thats a good idea. To be fair ordering an extra couple of metres is pretty cheap. I think I will do this and see if a section will take a slight bend.

wexfordman2 · 15-02-2021 1:19am

I reckon you might still need the articulated trolley for a smoother run. Interested to see how you get on, keep us up to date.

gfaces · 26-02-2021 10:16pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

I reckon you might still need the articulated trolley for a smoother run. Interested to see how you get on, keep us up to date.

Looking at the zenismart system but also looking at aqara b1 curtain track.

The aqara b1 has a rechargeable lithium battery and is zigbee. Handy if you dont want to run power to the curtain.

Out of interest does the track you have look like this track from youtube?

wexfordman2 · 27-02-2021 9:33am

gfaces wrote: »

Looking at the zenismart system but also looking at aqara b1 curtain track.

The aqara b1 has a rechargeable lithium battery and is zigbee. Handy if you dont want to run power to the curtain.

Out of interest does the track you have look like this track from youtube?

That's plastic tracking, so no, the zemismart track is aluminium, you won't bend it like they didn in that video.

Pete123456 · 27-02-2021 11:09am

So I’ve resigned myself that native HomeKit curtains or blinds just aren’t a thing yet sadly.

I would like to add a few smart roller or roman blinds and also 2 sets of curtains to n shaped (not sure of the terminology for 2 right angles three straight sections. Is aqara or similar the best call and have you guys been able to add to hue or HomeKit?

I was looking at some of the links earlier - how to you order the track is it a case of a “custom” order?

wexfordman2 · 27-02-2021 12:51pm

Pete123456 wrote: »

So I’ve resigned myself that native HomeKit curtains or blinds just aren’t a thing yet sadly.

I would like to add a few smart roller or roman blinds and also 2 sets of curtains to n shaped (not sure of the terminology for 2 right angles three straight sections. Is aqara or similar the best call and have you guys been able to add to hue or HomeKit?

I'm not familiar with homekit, but surely if you connect stuff through home assistant, that gives you your connectivity?

Our house is a google house, but I've integrated absolutely everything to home assistant, so my velbus, hue, smart things,smartlife and a few other random vendors all link in to home assistant, so everything is in one app, and that is what links to Google (and I assume home kit also) ?

Marlow · 27-02-2021 1:18pm

Paul Hibbert released a review on a curtain closer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8-4xLqwKw

Figured, that fits in here nicely.

/M

wexfordman2 · 27-02-2021 1:50pm

Marlow wrote: »

Paul Hibbert released a review on a curtain closer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8-4xLqwKw

Figured, that fits in here nicely.

/M

Saw those or similar before, and was a bit reluctant, they didn't look overall stable, but based in his review they definitely look like something worth trying.

Couple of things, and he did mention this in the end iof the review 85stg per motor, so 170stg for a curtain pair.

He mentioned that traditional smart curtain rails.were difficult to wire as a comparison, which isn't quite accurate, most.of the competing smart rail products come with voice control out of the box, and van also have the option of a wall switch (wired or wireless battery operated), so the smart rail products are better in that regard.

A permanent power supply would always be my preference, and not that hard to hide behind a set of curtains.

That being said, and forgiving my obvious bias towards the smart rail type solutions for curtains, this def has its place. Ease of install (rental apartments etx), no need for power (in places where it is awkward), and I believe these are compatible with those hoop type curtain rails which is a serious bonus. My daughter refused to get smart curtains in cos she didn't want a permit, so something like this would work.

In the battery thing, there does seek to have to he some limit to how many battery operated devices a house can cope with, not just talking about curtains here, but I'd have 13 sets of curtains to look after alone.

Might look at one (well 2 actually) of these for.my daughters room

Marlow · 27-02-2021 2:03pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

In the battery thing, there does seek to have to he some limit to how many battery operated devices a house can cope with, not just talking about curtains here, but I'd have 13 sets of curtains to look after alone.

I totally agree on the battery thing. I've been very conscious about what we have that needs batteries and how long they last.

Zigbee and DECT/ULE are very low consumers and you'd replace the batteries maybe once a year.

Wifi smart home devices are the total killer for batteries.

So it's always important to look at that, when buying devices. And a hard wired solution is always to be preferred. I've just replaced the batteries in all of my 40 TRVs, so I've got peace for another year. And all my remote light switches seem to last longer than a year. I think I've one that needs replacement .. lasted like 15 months.

The solar panel on those curtain movers are a brilliant idea.

/M

gfaces · 27-02-2021 2:49pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

That's plastic tracking, so no, the zemismart track is aluminium, you won't bend it like they didn in that video.

I think its what they quote as S shaped aluminium where the track is madeof 3 pieces. for example https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/China-heavy-duty-easy-install-Aluminum_1600051301834.html?bypass=true .

wexfordman2 · 27-02-2021 3:01pm

Marlow wrote: »

I totally agree on the battery thing. I've been very conscious about what we have that needs batteries and how long they last.

Zigbee and DECT/ULE are very low consumers and you'd replace the batteries maybe once a year.

Wifi smart home devices are the total killer for batteries.

So it's always important to look at that, when buying devices. And a hard wired solution is always to be preferred. I've just replaced the batteries in all of my 40 TRVs, so I've got peace for another year. And all my remote light switches seem to last longer than a year. I think I've one that needs replacement .. lasted like 15 months.

The solar panel on those curtain movers are a brilliant idea.

/M

Yeah, I'd be fairly tempted to try one out with the solar panel. When we started replacing our curtains for automated ones, budget wise what isn't often seen is the cost of replacing the curtains themselves if you are replacing one of those hoop curtain rails for a track rail, which makes above option swing back from.a cost perspective.

Basq · 03-03-2021 11:01pm

Anyone know what options (e.g Driver, Remote 1, Remote 6) correspond to on this? Answers seem a bit sketchy.

Zemismart Tuya WiFi Blind Driver with Battery Roller Shade Roman Blind Motor Alexa Google Assistant Voice Control RF
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNAgKQJ

Seems to indicate Remote 6 will allow you to control up to 6 blinds? Whereas Remote 1 obviously just the one. I'll be using mainly with Smart Assistants so wondering am I better buying just Driver option?

Getting 6 blinds installed in the next few weeks.. so will order 1 to see what it's like.

Asked company i ordered blinds from about option for motor:
- €150 per blind with remote
- another €150 for a smart hub to use with smart assistants.

:eek:

bittihuduga · 05-03-2021 4:09pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

.

Wexfordman - i remember you have the zemismart blind. i got one today for my roller blind. but the blind string beads dont fit into any of the 4 rotatory thing they have given. any suggestions?

wexfordman2 · 06-03-2021 10:57am

bittihuduga wrote: »

Wexfordman - i remember you have the zemismart blind. i got one today for my roller blind. but the blind string beads dont fit into any of the 4 rotatory thing they have given. any suggestions?

Sorry, its the curtains I have, not the blinds.

Is it tht tubular motor insert you got ?

Remove the beads, or put the motor on the opposite end?

Krusty_Clown · 06-03-2021 7:51pm

bittihuduga wrote: »

Wexfordman - i remember you have the zemismart blind. i got one today for my roller blind. but the blind string beads dont fit into any of the 4 rotatory thing they have given. any suggestions?

No such problems with my two blinds. You could change the cords pretty easily. Also make sure there's enough tension in the cord, to avoid slipping.

I did buy a a 3rd Zenismart motor from AliExpress, this time mains-powered, with built-in wifi and it doesn't work at all. The daughter board (that presumably manages the wifi connectivity) was loose and rattling in the case. I took it apart and re-seated it, but nope - dead. Have opened a dispute with AliExpress, but I'm not very optimistic.

davidod1 · 09-03-2021 5:16pm

Check this video out for another approach, and one that does not require any additional wiring or require a nearby power source.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8-4xLqwKw

Marlow · 09-03-2021 6:23pm

Marlow wrote: »

Paul Hibbert released a review on a curtain closer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8-4xLqwKw

Figured, that fits in here nicely.

davidod1 wrote: »

Check this video out for another approach, and one that does not require any additional wiring or require a nearby power source.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N8-4xLqwKw

You mean the video, I posted 9 posts and one and a half week ago ? Just saying !

/M

davidod1 · 09-03-2021 7:53pm

Marlow wrote: »

You mean the video, I posted 9 posts and one and a half week ago ? Just saying !

/M

Looked to make sure I wasn't repeating someone else's advice but just missed your post. :mad:

Supercell · 14-04-2022 11:42am

Has anyone managed to use motorised blinds with temperature control say with an Alexa Echo (which has a temperature sensor in it)?

I work from home these days and the room is southwest facing and basically becomes a furnace on sunny days from the end of April until September. I'd love to get motorised blackout blinds that would automatically come down if the room temperature got above say 21C for example. I'd also like to have the usual scenes where it opens and closes at particular times. Not really bothered if its battery or mains. The window recess measures 166 x 135cm so the Ikea ones are too short in length unfortunately.

Has anyone come accross a soluton that could do that?

10-10-20 · 14-04-2022 11:54am

I'm using Home Assistant and it would be a doddle with that. Do you have a temperature sensor other than Alexa in the room, and do you have any other IOT controllers?

Supercell · 14-04-2022 12:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118925621#Comment_118925621

I dont even have the an Echo yet, well i do but its first gen and doesnt have a temperature sensor, the newer 4th gen one is £59.95 on Amazon currently and looks ike it should be able to do the job if it can talk to the blinds (https://www.lifewire.com/using-the-temperature-sensor-in-amazon-echo-5120434).

I have a Philips Hue hub which I dont use any more as the smart lights didnt really work out with smalls kids messing with switches etc.

I have a Nest thermostat but its in the living room which is NE facing so its temperature isnt really indicative of the one in the home office at all.

I see Amazon has a Smart Air Quality monitor too which says it can be used in routines , its the same price however as the 4th Gen Echo which would be an upgrade over my current one (which could be moved to another room) so thats more appealing to me currently.

I'm completely open to suggestions, just researching now before i take the plunge, preferably before i die of the heat again this summer!

10-10-20 · 14-04-2022 12:40pm

IFTTT (free plan) should be an option then too, it supports the Echo.

https://ifttt.com/explore/new_to_ifttt

Supercell · 15-04-2022 11:20am

Blocblind "Blocout XL" looks just the job, I like the idea of rails on either side of the blinds to completely blackout. Saw a video on youtube for setting up a routine with the temperature sensor in the Echo so that looks like a runner.

Cost is ~ €405 for the BlocOut XL blinds + €150 for the "smart kit" + €60 for echo = ~ €610

Blinds will be ~ 166 x 135cm roughly measured, does that seem reasonable for what i'm getting?

Have ordered some sample fabrics.

Nelbert · 15-04-2022 6:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118925550#Comment_118925550

I do this now with Home Assistant!

I'm 4 blinds in the back of the house that try to at least keep manners on the heat coming in from sun. They drop to half height if thermostat hits 21 degrees and all the way down at 23.

Have window sensors integrated too so that if I open a window or door and temp drops the heating doesn't try to kick in.

Took some tweaking to get temp setting right.

The blinds at the back are Somfy RTS motors (motor slides in to the tube).

I've Aqara D1's controlling other blinds with string pulls which work excellently but for aesthetics the additional cost of the Somfy gives a cleaner look so was worth it for that area.

Supercell · 16-04-2022 7:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118931993#Comment_118931993

That sounds absolutely brilliant and exactly what I want!

Did you retrofit the Somfy RTS motors into your blinds or did you order as a kit? If you retro fitted them, how did you know they would work on your blinds, and if you bought with the blinds, where did you buy them from ? Thanks!

Nelbert · 16-04-2022 7:41am

The blind company fitted them as part of the blinds purchase but I was talking to the fitter and he said if I wanted more probably cheaper to self install.

The motors and blinds arrived separately so it was simply a case of sliding the motors in.

I know all mine are 28mm rollers in that area as they were all part of one order (there's a few others I'm considering automating....)

The ones in other areas in made sense to have the chain motors like the Aqara D1's as they were bedroom windows and the aesthetic wasn't as concerning as a large multi pane window with chains for multiple blinds hanging down. Gives button based or voice control in the room too.

While I love the Somfy ones I more so love the elimination of the chain. The use a proprietary RF signal so to integrate them I had to use an RFXTRX (which can impersonate a Somfy remote) plugged in to the HA unit and pair them to that as well as their own remote.

I'm on the lookout for zigbee equivalents for the others in the area I'm considering automating. The size is just a careful measure of the inner diameter of your roller and then hunting online.

The automation via HA and voice control means I couldn't actually tell you where the Somfy remote is. I've a zigbee scene controller that I can manually override their position if I want (button press -> home assistant -> command to blind roller)

Critical components:

Pi4 running HA

Conbee II - Zigbee Controller for controller the Aqara D1's and about 100 other zigbee devices include smart switches etc.

RFXTRX - for controlling the Somfy rollers.

endriuuu087 · 16-01-2023 9:41pm

Hi all !

if anyone is still looking for motorised blinds, I've left the contact details of the company that did it for my old blinds maybe will help to someone. I can use Google voice commands now. amazing work and make it so easy :)

Ad Solutions Blinds co. meath and area

poker--addict · 18-01-2023 10:49am

Anyone used a setup with these

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004092943043.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.4db16201uOBkEF&algo_pvid=fb97683b-5f9b-431b-95db-587f85fa0901&aem_p4p_detail=202301180148258984398256891840000343498&algo_exp_id=fb97683b-5f9b-431b-95db-587f85fa0901-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000028010263437%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21EUR%2139.07%2137.12%21%21%21%21%21%402102172f16740353059162382d0674%2112000028010263437%21sea&curPageLogUid=ZoAK0HtvlmhH&ad_pvid=202301180148258984398256891840000343498_2&ad_pvid=202301180148258984398256891840000343498_2

Pete123456 · 18-01-2023 12:17pm

I have 4 similar ones from Aqara. They are fine and do the job, however the chain is stepped out from the wall a little bit so for 1 of them the roller blind catches for a split second while moving in the position I have it mounted. I suppose I could move it but not really arsed as it seems fine after a year.

aqara one works with all assistants and HomeKit as far as I know - blinds go up and down each day based on sunrise and sunset etc - works very well and only needs to be charged every 2 months or so. Only thing is you need an Aqara hub for €30 or so

Overall these types of motors are much cheaper @ €50 or so instead of €150+ to automate each blind natively which wouldn’t work with HomeKit unless they were A/C motors for €300+

Nelbert · 18-01-2023 11:03pm

Plus 1 on the aqara units. Have them on a few blinds.

Also have 4 somfy roller motors that are excellent and obviously neater. Blind company from Baldoyle sold and installed the blinds and motors. Plan to go back to them and get a few more motors where aesthetically the extra is worth it Vs the Aqara.

Pete123456 · 19-01-2023 12:13am

Did you have to change the tube to get them to fit?

Nelbert · 19-01-2023 7:02am

No they fit in their standard tube. They'd one guy on their install team really familiar with them who set them up with the upper, middle and lower limits and talked me through it.

I only got 4 of the somfy ones due to cost and they were for the windows with most solar gain. So they drop to middle when my stat hits 22.5 and all the way down when it goes north of 23. Temps still spike way higher on clear warm days but it's better than it was.

BoardsMember · 05-03-2023 12:55pm

If doing a refurb including rewire, how would people configure, power blinds? Presume wiring them rather than rechargeable batteries. We're an android home, it would be nice to automate, remote control etc, but would you also have a little button near the blind to open/close? Any recommendations for what to use etc greatly appreciated.

More about where to buy and what to buy....if people have found good value/quality blinds could u PM me please?

Anyone installed blinds that pull up from bottom rather than down from the top? We're fairly visible to the road with big tall windows, would be good to have light come in but not be on show.

Pete123456 · 05-03-2023 1:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120316130#Comment_120316130

I’m not too sure but I read a year or two back that blind motors aren’t standardised but I’m not too sure how true that is. You’d want to make sure the wiring etc is appropriate to the company you’re going with ideally

in your case would Duette by Luxaflex (or similar) but suitable? I believe they can be electric as well as manual

Nelbert · 05-03-2023 6:25pm

If wiring pull 4 core to each area of interest. L, N, switched live for up, switched live for down. You'll be covered for any type of motor most likely then.

Pull all back to a switch box. You can get the likes of the shelly plus 2 but I'd suggest one for each "aspect" if you've multiple windows facing same direction. Argument for putting the smarts at the motor for more granular control too.

MickH503 · 29-03-2024 7:32pm

Bumping this thread … has anybody any recommendations for somewhere to supply smart blackout roller blinds that can integrate with Home Assistant and also work with a physical remote control. Can install myself if necessary. The IKEA ones are not wide enough unfortunately. Thanks!

micks_address · 07-04-2024 7:39pm

Re the aqara blind motors, I've pretty wide blinds around 2.4 metres.. would they be powerful enough to raise and lower the blind?

Motorised blinds availability to Ireland?

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