Smart Shades - Home Automation

Smart Shades

The future of Motorized Shades + Home Automation

Technology is changing at an increasingly rapid pace in the Home Automation and Shade motorization arena.  The basic motor technology hasn't changed drastically with all the manufacturers improving their motors in an attempt to enable more manufacturers the ability to incorporate these motors in a wider range of window coverings both in type and size.

The differences between motor manufacturers is the power (lifting), quiet operation (decibels) and the built in technology within the motors (control options)

Power

Let's use a car purchase as an example.  A 6 cylinder vs 8 cylinder powered automobile.  Remarkably the fuel economy of the 6 cylinder is not that much better than the 8 cylinder and on the outside, other than the 3L or 4L designation there is nothing to indicate to the outside world whats under the hood. But one has more torque, the other has more power.  Side by side the vehicles 6 cylinder may initially accelerate as fast as the 8 cylinder to a point but it has to work a lot harder will reach its upper output limit first while the 8 cylinder still accelerates.

It's the same with motorized shades.  It's better for performance and longevity if the motor has more power than is necessary to lift a shade vs opting for the lower price and then having some of the following issues.

Speed:  In order for an underpowered motor to lift a shade you have to sacrifice the speed (rpm) of the final motor output.  Manufacturers accomplish this with internal gears within the motor that allows a weaker motor, turning rapidly, connected to a 'gear-box' which amplifies the low power output of the motor to a higher NM (kg per cm) output on the other end.

The tradeoff on price vs the right motor

1. Shades function more slowly (lower rpm output)
2. Motors are noisier due to multiple step-down gears within the motors 'gear-box', and motors that have to operate at higher speeds. 
3. Shades ordered close to the NM (kg per cm) output will cause the motors to stop during operating when they become overheated.  The motors will typically be operational again once the internal temperature of the the motor is returned to the safe operating temperature range (usually within 20-30 minutes) however repeated overheating will damage the internal electronics and the 'gearbox' resulting in the need to replace the motor.

Control & Integration

Consumers don't know and probably will never pull a motor out of a shade and look at it.  All they know is there is a motor.  End of story.  Like looking under the hood of your car.  There's the motor and that's it.  End of story.

Because the technology the clients expects of the motors is 'assumed', they're more likely to make a value decision based on how 'pretty' and sleek the remote control is or the 'look' of the app on their smart devices and simple promises of easy integration with Alexa, Google Home (and others) or integration into a home automation system.

On the face of it they all look the same, tell the same story, make the same promises but there are differences you won't be aware of until the system is installed.  

A higher price is no guarantee of increased stability, ease of integration, ability to expand the system, adding additional apps for increased function etc.  However it is more likely you will sacrifice a number of these expectations if price is the driving factor in your purchase. You then may end up with an isolated system you can only operate with the hand remote controls provided.

Integration across manufacturers

RTS language.  Motorized shades are controlled and 'speak' (wirelessly) using RTS protocol.  HOWEVER each manufacturer has its own assigned sub-RTS protocol that is unique to each manufacturer.  Meaning, it is NOT possible for motors from one manufacturer to be controlled or programmed using another manufacturers remote.  They don't speak the same 'language'.  The only way for different motors to operate on the same platform requires either 

1) Cat 5 cable to a central control station (Control4 etc.) 

2) RTS to Universal taps for each motor. (these translate each unique RTS language to a common RTS language for a dedicated operating system)

It can get complicated and expensive.

To maintain system stability and keep the cost down it's best to settle with one expandable motorization system that will allow you to grow your system or better yet, never have to worry.

Every system available in the market has a place in a project, as long as your expectations are met.

If you have any questions about your project reach out to me at steve.poxon@shadesofhome.ca or visit our web site at www.shadesofhome.ca