Motorized Blinds install hard wire

[CZ Eddie]

Anyone ever done this?
I'm not prepared to buy any fancy blinds right now.
But I am prepping for some serious sheetrock stuff in my house soon.
And as usual, I try to lay down cat6 to the everywhere's.
And speaker wires for an eventual whole-house audio setup.
And HDMI for an eventual whole-house video setup.

I'd also like to install wiring for an eventual remote-control/home-automation motorized blinds dealio.
I know a four conductor 14awg is required for the electric.
What else do you wire up for remote control operation?
Is just a cat6 + four conductor enough or should I wire something else to all the windows?

Oh, and I'm guessing there is a central "hub" where everything ties to at the opposite end of the various windows?

So what I want is a control panel near the windows, with hard buttons.
So I can just walk up and adjust the blinds.
And I also want it tied into a whole-house automation thing where I can configure it to automatically open or close, depending on time of day.
Or so I can press a button on my cellphone to open or close everything at the same time.

 

[cybrdyke]

Consider wireless shades with wireless controls. Much simpler.

 

[ard]

IMO you should plan on a whole house automation system, like zwave, that has a programmable centralized hub.

Then this hub can be controlled with a table, a phone or any of a spectrum of controls.

Sounds like you are envisioning a program that runs "home" or "away" or 'winter' versus 'summer' or"Movie viewing' ...my point is there and be many reasons to need to control the blinds- and NOT just a remote up/down switch.

With zwave, you can have a device that when you press it, the device says "device 126 said up". You have programmed your controller that when #126 says up, it will send an up command to blind 10, 11 and 12. This way you can have a remote switch that is right at the window that acts like a local dedicated controller. Just an idea. In practice I'd opine that you will have an ipad or other controller in each room, for doing everything- as opposed to each blind.




like: https://www.zebrablinds.com/virtual-cord-lightweaves-z-waves-smart-motorized-graber-roller-shades


IMO you want a zwave connected blind motor, so all you need is power to the blind. A quick look it seems like they need 12V. So Id run some low voltage wires from the blind location to a common spot where you can mount a 120VAC power supply- an attic, closet, HVAC room, media closet, etc. Keep distance in mind.

Also, what do youplan on doing with these wires? Without knowing which blind, where it will mount, where PRECISELY you need power it is hard to run a wire out of the wall. Even leaving the wire in the wall and taking a picture is problematic. (There is a lot of wood around the upper corners of most windows- jack studs, header, etc, etc.) You could leave a bit of service loop in the wall, run a hole through the wood, and have the wire just below the sheetrock. At a future point you can punch through and pull out a few inches.

Also, when I ran future wires, I would 'daisy chain' the wire through several possible future locations- like ceiling speaker locations- loop it to multiple spots, then when you decide you can put them at any of them.

my 2 cents

 

[ddawg16]

Consider wireless shades with wireless controls. Much simpler.

That's funny right there.......

You know not WTF you are talking about.

 

[ard]

also, run as many conduits as you can- between spaces outside the living space- like from crawls space to attic, from a media closet to each, etc. Running wire is great, but you never know when you need one more, or a fiber or a ..whatever.

 

[ddawg16]

CZ....if you're doing a bunch of drywall and the walls are going to be open, now is the time to plan it out.

First, research the blinds. Find out what is available and what the power requirements are. In most cases, it's going to be a simple 3 wire 120VAC setup. The power is the easy part....where you connect it to the blinds is the hard part.

Because you are doing a bunch of drywall....if you know where you need to run the power, you can pre-run it to the right spot.

 

[ard]

That's funny right there.......

You know not WTF you are talking about.

https://www.somfysystems.com/products/1002481/roll-up-wirefree-r28-rts

A battery powered motor, R28 installs in minutes and provides a perfect solution for hard-to-reach window coverings is designed for roller/solar shades, sheer horizontals, Roman and woven wood shades.

or this:

https://www.baliblinds.com/motorization/

Battery Case

Easy to install and there is no costly hardwiring or electrical outlets needed.

I'm laughing, you?



.

 

[ddawg16]

https://www.somfysystems.com/products/1002481/roll-up-wirefree-r28-rts



https://www.baliblinds.com/motorization/




I'm laughing, you?

Laugh all you want....batteries have to be recharged.....or replaced.

 

[ddawg16]

https://www.somfysystems.com/products/1002481/roll-up-wirefree-r28-rts




or this:

https://www.baliblinds.com/motorization/




I'm laughing, you?



.

And you conveniently omit the comment about 'Ideal for areas where wiring may be a challenge.'

If the OP has a chance to run wire.....this always 'trumps' a wireless option.

 

[ard]

And you conveniently omit the comment about 'Ideal for areas where wiring may be a challenge.'

If the OP has a chance to run wire.....this always 'trumps' a wireless option.

far cry from "you know not WTF you are talking about"

Dont you think?

Just give OP advice, being a **** to others is simply rude.



Also, are there a lot of blind systems that use 120VAC up at the head? My guess is that those will be pretty bulky. I just dont know these devices enough. The few systems I looked at run off 12VDC

 

[kTHREE]

Do not go wireless for blinds if you don't have to. Wired always is cheaper and more reliable. Leave the battery powered Lutron wireless shades or zwave alone if you can, that's for retro when you can't prewire.

Get 110 to your header, run cat5 home run to data drop, and maybe 2 pair (cat5 depending on brand) to a switch if you don't like wireless.
Go take a look at some wired shades for hookup options.
And for God's sake stay the f away from control 4.

 

[pepi]

That's funny right there.......

You know not WTF you are talking about.

Must agree one more remote to look for, have laying around. Looking for a cell, car keys, 3 TV remotes. Then we read about all the stress folks suffer from living today ....... is it any wonder ?

All created buy one's own doing ........ hilarious.......... FLMAO

Greg

 

[kspwski]

I'm excited to see that there are some off the shelf Z-Wave options nowdays! That's pretty new I think.

And for God's sake stay the f away from control 4.

Why stay away from Control 4? Cost? Customization? Sorry to hijack

 

[Walter_TA]

Just put 120 v outlets in at the normal height by the window. The blinds come with wall worts. Zwave is the best. I have Smartthings and for blinds I have some automation that lower the blinds when it is hot and sunny. Almost all other times I tell Alexa to lower or raise the blinds