DIY Motorized Roller Shades?

Someone posted this link on the forum the other day to some DIY motors for roller shades. They may still end up being too costly, but it's something to check out.

http://www.tubularmotors.com/2.htm


HunterDouglas is coming out with remote control motorized shades in the next month or so. They will be 110v., have internal RF receivers for remote operation. I don't think there will be a blackout fabric available, which seems foolish, but they didn't ask me. Pricing hasn't been released yet, but it's intended for a mass market, so they might not be as bad as some.


I'm already thinking ahead to screen masking. What if one used a roller at the top and another at the bottom of the screen with black velvet instead of shade fabric. Closed position could be set for 2.35:1 and open could be 16X9. The bottom shade would need counter weights to pull it upward, but that would be little problem. I did something similar for my masking, but these would be completely self contained including remote control. It would be similar to mine, but probably wouldn't need the nuetralizing weights.

http://www.kathiejohnson.com/masking.html


I don't know if Hunter would allow these to be purchased separately or not, and they probably wouldn't be super cheap, but things that work really well frequently aren't.


Deane

In that masking system, why did they put in all those plugs? I would have just mounted a couple of power strips.



How about a $90 X10 controlled motor with built in stops like this one?

http://www.smarthome.com/3142.html


Some have said this motor is a little too audible. My uncle uses it on his velvet curtains over his screen and he said it's quiet except it strains a little when close to all the way open. I haven't been to his theater since he installed it so I can't say how quiet it is.


They also have more expensive quiet motors if you want those. They handle bigger loads, but the one above should be fine. I saw a website a year or more ago that had a masking system like the one posted, but they used the $90 motor that I posted.

Originally posted by Toxarch
In that masking system, why did they put in all those plugs? I would have just mounted a couple of power strips.



How about a $90 X10 controlled motor with built in stops like this one?

http://www.smarthome.com/3142.html


Spacing. Since most of these outlets were for plug in modules of some sort, some being rather large, plug in power strips have the sockets too close together. The selection gets even more limited when you have to make sure they don't have any surge protection or clampling circuits buried in them.


Here's a link to a masking system using that motor. It's a nice simple and inexpensive design.

http://www.lastrange.com/ht/pictures.shtml


Deane