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I just want to close some curtains.

post #1 of 13
11/25/12 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 
I've been reading and searching this forum for two days and I think I am more confused than when I started.

Just bought a new Mitsubishi 92" TV. We had to move its location to a different wall and the sun shines a glare on it.

The windows we need to cover is 8' wide by 6' tall.

We currently do not have any curtains or curtain rod on it.

I'm just looking for some type of setup that will let me push a button on a remote to open/close the curtains. I am not looking at any other type of automation so the system does not need to tie into anything else in the future.

Having an option to purchase on Amazon would be a big plus as I have a $1,000 gift card.

Can any of you home automation guru's point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Robert
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post #2 of 13
11/25/12 at 5:58pm
Pick up the phone, call a pro. Who hung your TV?

What remote do you want to use? Are you interested in a new remote that could also control the TV? Do you want to spend $1K? Less? More? Does it need to be a blackout setup? Would shades suffice? Outlet near the window? Would you pay a premium for quiet functioning? Does it need to be controlled from the wall too? Do you mind pointing the remote at the window?
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post #3 of 13
11/25/12 at 6:04pm
Read through the Somfy website.

http://www.somfysystems.com/en-us/home/where-to-buy.html
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post #4 of 13
11/25/12 at 7:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neurorad View Post

Pick up the phone, call a pro.

I'm not looking for a costly professional install. Just a very basic setup that I can hang abve the window myself.
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Who hung your TV?

Nobody, it's a 92" DLP. Too heavy (and thick) to hang. It's on a stand.
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What remote do you want to use?

A simple one button remote to close and open the curtains, nothing more.
Quote:
Are you interested in a new remote that could also control the TV?

No.
Quote:
Do you want to spend $1K? Less? More?

I'll spend what I have to for a very basic setup. But I have no idea what it would cost, that's why I am asking here for more info.
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Does it need to be a blackout setup?

No
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Would shades suffice?

Yes.
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Outlet near the window?

Yes
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Would you pay a premium for quiet functioning?

No
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Does it need to be controlled from the wall too?

No
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Do you mind pointing the remote at the window?

Pointing the remote at the window is fine. An IR setup works for me.

As for your link to somfysystems. Their products look like much more than what I need. I just need a very basic system to open and close a set of curtains over a small window, nothing fancy and I'm open to hanging it myself. Maybe such a thing does not exist. Reading this forum makes me think you all are talking about Ferraris and I'm looking for a Volkswagon. Maybe I'll just stick with opening them and closing them by hand.

Thanks for the reply though.
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post #5 of 13
11/25/12 at 9:27pm
Haven't used this, but certainly looked into it a long time ago...

3141c1.jpg

http://www.smarthome.com/3141C1/Corded-Drapery-Motor-w-IR-Control/p.aspx

I have some motorized drapery pieces in my house with IR control - unfortunately the module (not the one I linked to) is a very rough IR implementation. It's not using anything that can be learned by a standard universal remote - so I'm stuck with an extra two-button remote for them... Something to look out for when choosing a solution if that's important to you.

Jeff
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post #6 of 13
11/25/12 at 10:06pm
http://www.amazon.com/Add-A-Motor-80-Add-a-Motor-Model/dp/B003YVJ472
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post #7 of 13
11/26/12 at 3:43am
You may want to price out Lutron's honeycomb shades.

http://www.lutron.com/Products/ShadingSystems/SerenaShades/Pages/Overview.aspx
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post #8 of 13
11/26/12 at 7:37am
The simplest and probably the least costly way to darken the window would be with a HunterDouglas PowerRise Honeycomb blackout shade.

They are battery operated, or if desired can use a wall wart. Batteries are projected to last about 1 1/2 years with one trip up and down each day.

Built in IR and RF remote control are standard.

With a remote hand sender control, the package would run about $1000 for that size shade. HunterDouglas is not sold on the internet anywhere, so you would need to purchase from a local dealer. HunterDouglas dealers are everywhere.

No matter what you put up there, you will have light leak around the edge. This could be an issue reflecting in the picture area. If so, you then have to mask the edges, sometimes with cloth side hangs, or by building a wood channel on the sides of the shade.
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post #9 of 13
11/26/12 at 8:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by az1324 View Post

http://www.amazon.com/Add-A-Motor-80-Add-a-Motor-Model/dp/B003YVJ472

I saw this one as well but don't know about the quality. Has anyone here used a basic system like this one?

Thanks everyone else for your replies!
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post #10 of 13
11/26/12 at 10:08am
I've never installed one, but there have been a few posts on the forums over the years from people who have. The general consensus was that they are noisy and break down easily. Again, I have no personal experience with them.
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post #11 of 13
11/26/12 at 6:23pm
I am a big fan of Makita's drape opener - I have a dozen around the house and all have functioned perfectly for well over 7 years. Amazon sells these models at pretty decent price points (there is one not so favorable review, but it relates more to the timer rather than the drape open/close functionality). Several of my windows are 15' high and the Makita has no problems moving what I'm guessing to be 50lbs of material, at least twice a day. I also use one for my theater's black-out curtains.

The controller is a simple open/close/halt affair. It seems to have great range and I typically don't even have to point it directly at the Makita's IR receiver, I just 'waft' it in the general direction and it bounces off walls & the ceiling with no problems.

I know this wasn't what you were asking about, but FWIW, I control the Makita drapes in my home theater using my iPod/iPad running the Roomie app - all very slick!
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post #12 of 13
11/26/12 at 7:46pm
Thread Starter 
DGF,

I'm impressed! I think I'll be ordering a 9' one tomorrow. Thanks!
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post #13 of 13
11/26/12 at 8:57pm
Cool - welcome to the forum!

Dave
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