Any PowerRise Hunter Douglas Motorized Shade Experince Here? - Page 3

Deane - You're a star. Thanks very much.

The confusion I have with the new satellite eye is that it says it is RF and IR. Is that an either or situation? If both are used, doesn't that mean line of sight is needed?

Thanks. Tom.

Tom:

Here's an answer I got from the guy in charge of tech stuff at one of the Hunter fabrication units. This will probably generate additional questions that we will need to follow up on.

Deane

It sounds like you are tracking with all the right ideas. If he is not able to run additional wiring, then it sounds like the RF adapter is his best bet, along with the satellite eyes to update these shades to platinum. I have worked with some other dealers trying to order satellite eyes for a similiar age shade. These eyes are becoming hard to come by. We do not have any here although I believe HD still has some. It is important to use the correct pcn # when ordering.
2980000208 is the receiver eye that does install inside the cover rail. However it is not compatible with the hole punch of a shade from 2005

I have heard of some installers who remove the circuit board from the housing of the satellite eye and put it in the headrail, but if he has top treatments, it would be better to leave them in the housing and install behind treatments.

EDIT: Tom, it appears there could be an issue getting 15 satellite eyes from Hunter.

I should also clarify that I am not using a satellite eye, but rather a full fledged Platinum 2.0 shade. I should think though, that the satellite eye should be a least as good. Mine antennae is located within the head rail, not the best for pick up.

It is my belief you want one of the following PCN numbers:

2980000203 20" IR/RF Platinum Technology Satellite Eye, 4-pin
2980000225 48" IR/RF Platinum Technology Satellite Eye, 4-pin
2980000226 96" IR/RF Platinum Technology Satellite Eye, 4-pin

Tom:

Here is a further update on Hunter recommendations. Please study it carefully. Bottom line is that you probably shouldn't try to use the RF adapter with the satellite eyes. It appears that in order to have RF control of the shades, you should have them fully converted as we first discussed.

Deane

Text of new message:

"After looking at the spec's for the RF adaptor, they do reccomend to not use these with any of the Platinum "1.0" versions... which would be these satellite eyes. All of the firmware updates to 2.0 products and accessories might make the RF adaptor somewhat incompatible at best with 1.0. We could try and test one here on a 1.0 shade to see what kind of response we get from the RF adaptor. I would just hate to try and go through all this and run into intermittent operation issues.

Additionally, we are talking about trying to retrofit a 7 year old shade that only has a 5 year warranty. Again, would hate to go through all this only to see the shade motors/components begin to fail as their life cycle ends. It can lead to some frustrations.

It would be possible to have these shades completely upgraded to the 2.0 system. Obviosuly more of a cost, but a much more reliable system and would be fully compatible with RF adaptor and/or the connection interface."

I think that is a real good point Deane. I would want to think there is a tech department at HD that would know the answer to that question. It's a matter of having that access to the right people.

On the life cycle comment, I can't agree with the statement that was made in the quote. It's like saying when your car 1 year warranty expires the car is at the end of it's life cycle. I would not want to think that because the warranty has expired that the units are at the end of their life cycle.

The reason why the upgrade is a non-starter is the hassle, cost and time it would take to return 10k worth of shades to the factory to upgrade them to a level that still needs to be kludged to make them work with a mainstream automation system like Crestron. If we remove the shades for an upgrade, it will likely be to replace them altogether with a product that is 21st century like Lutron shades that cleaning interface with the likes of Crestron and AMX as well as not having limitations like 4 channels for 15 shades. We're trying to avoid that but maybe we're just putting off the inevitable. Tom.

Well Deane, if we can trust tech support at HD, you were spot on because here's what they said:

"With upgrading your Duette PowerRise from 2004 to the new RF eye 1.0 PowerRise system, it will not work with the RF adapter or wireless RF Wall Switch. The RF adapter and Wireless RF Wall switch is for the newest 2.0 PowerRise systems."

Glad you talked direct with HD. This doesn't leave you with a lot of great options. I should think your limited wiring availability almost sends you into the arena of upconverting your existing shades to PowerRise 2.0.

Deane, Do you have a direct email address? Thanks. Tom.

deanej@cox.net

Tom:

I answered your email, but it bounced back. Email me some new instructions for getting Email back to you.

Deane

I am very interested in this solution. We are having 8 HD Pirouette shades installed in two weeks and want to connect them to my HAI system. I had planned on hacking into the remote but this option sounds easier. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I bought 5 Duette Power Rise shades in 1/2000. One now is not working and Hunter Douglas says it most likely needs a new motor. I will send it to them. But IF it DOES need a new motor THEY WON'T HAVE ONE. It's an older product (11 years? I feel ancient) and they have switched to a new system. They will replace the head rail which will then not match the other head rails next to it. The remote timer on the wall will not work with the equipment in the new head rail and I will have to buy a new remote timer that will be mounted alongside the old one and will only control the new shade. The timing on these two timers is not likely to remain in sync so the shade with the new head rail will go up and down at somewhat different times than the rest of the shades in the room. For this "fix" I will pay $300. Does anyone know where I can find HD motors (and/or other parts) for a Duette Power Rise shade purchased in 2000?

Does this imply that using your solution I could use my Universal Remote? I am very interested!!

Thanks
Rob

Hi !
Just wondering if you are going to replace your Spring Autovue Blinds if I could buy your remote?
I know this might sound crazy but we purchased a house and these were the type of blinds that were installed in our 2-story upper family room windows, we are doing a remodel project now and for some reason the blinds still work but Graber and Springs they do not make Autovue blinds that we have anymore therefore the remote is not made ....called blinds,parts and repairs, they used to have it but are sold out and no way of restocking because of course it is discontinued...really did not have new blinds in the remodel project if I could find a universal remote I do have the codes to make it work (hopefully) but if you are replacing your blinds and would sell the remote ....please let me know Thanks