Automatic Curtains

[randyth]

I've been casually investigating automating the front curtains in my house for quite a while, largely so the place looks lived in while I'm on vacation.  I entertained everything from a hand-built Arduino-based project to an expensive Somfy system.  In the end, I settled on something in the middle.  Well, it leans more on the Somfy side of things but is less expensive and I was able to install it myself.

 

If you are looking for automating curtains, I highly recommend Curtain Call (www.automaticcurtain.com).  They are reasonably priced, they custom build to your specs (including curved tracks!), and provide incredibly great follow-up service.  The installation instructions were excellent -- including those for connecting the system to Insteon or ZWave -- with tons of written and video demonstrations.  I was so happy with my initial front-window experience, I have since ordered another set for the back of the house.

 

-Randy

[Teken]

I've been casually investigating automating the front curtains in my house for quite a while, largely so the place looks lived in while I'm on vacation.  I entertained everything from a hand-built Arduino-based project to an expensive Somfy system.  In the end, I settled on something in the middle.  Well, it leans more on the Somfy side of things but is less expensive and I was able to install it myself.

 

If you are looking for automating curtains, I highly recommend Curtain Call (www.automaticcurtain.com).  They are reasonably price, they custom build to your specs (including curved tracks!), and provide incredibly great follow-up service.  The installation instructions were excellent -- including those for connecting the system to Insteon or ZWave -- with tons of written and video demonstrations.  I was so happy with my initial front-window experience, I have since ordered another set for the back of the house.

 

-Randy

 

Randy,

 

You have my undivided attention!!!

 

Can you offer a little more detail as to how the Insteon integration works? Essentially I'm looking for all the meat and potato of what is required down to the nut. These are my specific questions to you so hope you can offer that insight.

 

- Does the product offer battery, line, solar motors?

- How many channels can the system support?

- Can this hardware offer open, close, defined stop levels?

- Does this hardware use RF, IR, WiFi, Other?

 

Those are the first couple of questions that popped into my head.

[randyth]

Randy,

 

You have my undivided attention!!!

 

Can you offer a little more detail as to how the Insteon integration works? Essentially I'm looking for all the meat and potato of what is required down to the nut. These are my specific questions to you so hope you can offer that insight.

 

- Does the product offer battery, line, solar motors?

- How many channels can the system support?

- Can this hardware offer open, close, defined stop levels?

- Does this hardware use RF, IR, WiFi, Other?

 

Those are the first couple of questions that popped into my head.

 

Hey Teken,

 

They don't offer battery options as far as I can tell.  I think you'd have to provide your own battery/inverter for this.  From what I've seen, the motor has three different power-connection options: DC wall wart, hard wire to line voltage, and one that hard wires to line voltage plus a fourth wire for control (if you want a hard-wired switch).

 

I am unsure about how many channels the motor supports.  You can definitely set at least one stop position other than fully open or closed, but I've yet to play with this.

 

The motor offers WiFi as an add-on accessory.  To connect to Insteon, however, I used an Insteon 2450 I/O Linc and ensured the motor I ordered came with the 6-Pin (RJ12) for dry contact port Curtain Call offers.  The wiring instructions they sent me worked flawlessly.  They have similar instructions for Zwave and others.  So far, I feel like I've only scratched the surface on the many ways I can control this thing.

 

Interestingly, you can even just tug on the curtains one way or the other to kick on the motor and open and close the curtains.  If the power goes out, you just hand-drag the curtains.  It's really quite smooth this way and it's how I did things for a while since my track arrived about a week before my motor.

 

To get the real scoop on what all Curtain Call provides, I encourage you to contact them directly (they have an email address on their support page).  It was their prompt and knowledgeable responses to my initial questions that pushed me over the edge to place my first order.

 

-Randy

[Teken]

Hey Teken,

 

They don't offer battery options as far as I can tell.  I think you'd have to provide your own battery/inverter for this.  From what I've seen, the motor has three different power-connection options: DC wall wart, hard wire to line voltage, and one that hard wires to line voltage plus a fourth wire for control (if you want a hard-wired switch).

 

I am unsure about how many channels the motor supports.  You can definitely set at least one stop position other than fully open or closed, but I've yet to play with this.

 

The motor offers WiFi as an add-on accessory.  To connect to Insteon, however, I used an Insteon 2450 I/O Linc and ensured the motor I ordered came with the 6-Pin (RJ12) for dry contact port Curtain Call offers.  The wiring instructions they sent me worked flawlessly.  They have similar instructions for Zwave and others.  So far, I feel like I've only scratched the surface on the many ways I can control this thing.

 

Interestingly, you can even just tug on the curtains one way or the other to kick on the motor and open and close the curtains.  If the power goes out, you just hand-drag the curtains.  It's really quite smooth this way and it's how I did things for a while since my track arrived about a week before my motor.

 

To get the real scoop on what all Curtain Call provides, I encourage you to contact them directly (they have an email address on their support page).  It was their prompt and knowledgeable responses to my initial questions that pushed me over the edge to place my first order.

 

-Randy

 

Hello Randy,

 

So just to be clear in your set up you have multiple Insteon I/O lincs that control these shades?

[randyth]

Hello Randy,

 

So just to be clear in your set up you have multiple Insteon I/O lincs that control these shades?

I use only one I/O linc for my front curtains.  This on-off device can open, close, and stop the curtains.  (The curtains stop if you switch between on and off before the curtains are done opening or closing.)  There are more ways to control the motor via the Rj12 port as shown in the image below.  I chose the "1/2 control logic" option.

 

[Teken]

I use only one I/O linc for my front curtains.  This on-off device can open, close, and stop the curtains.  (The curtains stop if you switch between on and off before the curtains are done opening or closing.)  There many more ways to control the motor via the Rj12 port as shown in the image below.  I chose the "1/2 control logic" option.

 

 

Hello Randy,

 

Appreciate you circling back with that information. I'll place this vendors hardware on the list of possible candidates for a project. My preference is finding a value branded hardware vendor that supports: Solar, Battery, and Z-Wave.

 

Finding all three in the *Value* end is quite a bit harder unless one goes with cheaper shades that use add on motors that attach to chain / rope hardware. I've seen four different Kickstarter / IndiGoGo projects that on the surface seem to fit that bill. I'm taking the position of *Wait  & See* as to how the product really operates in the wild.

 

As you know first hand this isn't a small amount of money when speaking about shade control. I prefer to do this right the first go round ~ Good to know the company you offered here is a possible candidate for Insteon integration.      

[stusviews]

Just thought I'd chime in since we have 14 motorized window coverings, all using Somfy RTS controllers and all but one using Somfy motors. The controllers include 5-channel Telis hand-held remotes which provide up, down and one preset, in-wall 5-channel Decoflex switches that provide the same functions as the hand-helds and an Autelis Somfy intreface which, along with a 16-channel Somfy Universal RTS Interface II and ISY network module gives full control to the ISY.

 

The ISY currently opens and closes nearly all window coverings on schedule, so we hardly use the other remotes. In addition, they're all voice controlled in conjunction with the portal and Echo devices which are all over the house using four accounts.

 

Edit: We have line powered, low voltage and battery powered window coverings.

[asbril]

I've been casually investigating automating the front curtains in my house for quite a while, largely so the place looks lived in while I'm on vacation.  I entertained everything from a hand-built Arduino-based project to an expensive Somfy system.  In the end, I settled on something in the middle.  Well, it leans more on the Somfy side of things but is less expensive and I was able to install it myself.

 

If you are looking for automating curtains, I highly recommend Curtain Call (www.automaticcurtain.com).  They are reasonably priced, they custom build to your specs (including curved tracks!), and provide incredibly great follow-up service.  The installation instructions were excellent -- including those for connecting the system to Insteon or ZWave -- with tons of written and video demonstrations.  I was so happy with my initial front-window experience, I have since ordered another set for the back of the house.

 

-Randy

Thanks Randy, this is VERY interesting.

A few questions..

Have you actually been able to include this system in your ISY hub ?

I have a double track curtain system (blackout and sheers). Will ISY allow me to operate the two tracks separately ?

[randyth]

Thanks Randy, this is VERY interesting.

A few questions..

Have you actually been able to include this system in your ISY hub ?

I have a double track curtain system (blackout and sheers). Will ISY allow me to operate the two tracks separately ?

 

Yes, I use the ISY to control the curtains via an Insteon I/O Linc, though I could have gone the Z-Wave route.  I have Alexa control things via the ISY Portal.  And, a couple simple ISY programs automatically open the curtains a few minutes before sunrise and close them a few minutes after sundown.

 

A two-track curtain system would have two motors so you'd need two I/O Lincs (or two MIMOlite-type devices, if you use Z-Wave) -- one for each track -- and each track would operate separately.

 

-Randy

[asbril]

Yes, I use the ISY to control the curtains via an Insteon I/O Linc, though I could have gone the Z-Wave route.  I have Alexa control things via the ISY Portal.  And, a couple simple ISY programs automatically open the curtains a few minutes before sunrise and close them a few minutes after sundown.

 

A two-track curtain system would have two motors so you'd need two I/O Lincs (or two MIMOlite-type devices, if you use Z-Wave) -- one for each track -- and each track would operate separately.

 

-Randy

Thanks so much. I am not familiar with what the MIMO type device do ( I am only use Zwave devices). Do I understand right thet the above mentioned automatic curtain system does not, by itself, connect to ZWave but uses the MIMO device ? I assume that it is easy to connect the MIMO device to the curtain system ? Another question, can you(with ISY)  set the curtains to half open ?

[stusviews]

The MIMO device is the Z-Wave equivalent of the Insteon I/O Linc. The main differences are that 1) you cannot switch from latching to momentary easily. You need to cycle power after removing or replacing a jumper and 2) momentary duration is set by a parameter instead of an option.

 

I set mine to latching and turn it off using a program.

[randyth]

Thanks so much. I am not familiar with what the MIMO type device do ( I am only use Zwave devices). Do I understand right thet the above mentioned automatic curtain system does not, by itself, connect to ZWave but uses the MIMO device ? I assume that it is easy to connect the MIMO device to the curtain system ? Another question, can you(with ISY)  set the curtains to half open ?

 

Correct, the curtain motor does not, by itself, connect to Z-Wave -- it only talks to the handheld remote out of the box.  However, the company offers several additional options for controlling the motor via Z-Wave, Insteon, WiFi and others.  I ended up using their $35 6-pin port that lets me connect the motor to any kind of relay, such as the I/O linc or MIMO via an RJ12 cable.

 

You can write a relatively simple ISY program to set the curtains to half open.  The curtains also support a separate programmable "stop" position using the system's remote control.

 

-Randy

[asbril]

Correct, the curtain motor does not, by itself, connect to Z-Wave -- it only talks to the handheld remote out of the box.  However, the company offers several additional options for controlling the motor via Z-Wave, Insteon, WiFi and others.  I ended up using their $35 6-pin port that lets me connect the motor to any kind of relay, such as the I/O linc or MIMO via an RJ12 cable.

 

You can write a relatively simple ISY program to set the curtains to half open.  The curtains also support a separate programmable "stop" position using the system's remote control.

 

-Randy

Thanks Randy,  I just ordered the double track with 2 Adapter Cables 1450 for Smart Plug Control and 2 6-Pin Port (RJ12) for Dry Contact in Low Voltage (for Home Automation Systems, WiFi Smart Plug, etc) and separately ordered 2 Mimolites on  Amazon. I hope that installation is not too complicated.

[randyth]

Thanks Randy,  I just ordered the double track with 2 Adapter Cables 1450 for Smart Plug Control and 2 6-Pin Port (RJ12) for Dry Contact in Low Voltage (for Home Automation Systems, WiFi Smart Plug, etc) and separately ordered 2 Mimolites on  Amazon. I hope that installation is not too complicated.

 

That's great.  I found the company to be very responsive and helpful, so don't hesitate to email or call them if you have any questions or issues.

 

-Randy

[asbril]

That's great.  I found the company to be very responsive and helpful, so don't hesitate to email or call them if you have any questions or issues.

 

-Randy

Thanks Randy,, The system arrives this Thursday and I already received the Mimolites.  I have watched the Youtube video and do not expect  (big) issues.  

I really hope that controlling the curtains with ISY will be nice !

 

Thanks

[asbril]

Thanks Randy,, The system arrives this Thursday and I already received the Mimolites.  I have watched the Youtube video and do not expect  (big) issues.  

I really hope that controlling the curtains with ISY will be nice !

 

Thanks

 

That's great.  I found the company to be very responsive and helpful, so don't hesitate to email or call them if you have any questions or issues.

 

-Randy

Randy, would you mind sending me a screenshot of how the curtains appear in your Administrative Console ? Do you use Mobilinc and, if so, can you control the curtains from Mobilinc ?

 

THANKS

[randyth]

Randy, would you mind sending me a screenshot of how the curtains appear in your Administrative Console ? Do you use Mobilinc and, if so, can you control the curtains from Mobilinc ?

 

THANKS

 

 

As you can see, the IOLinc is simply an on/off device.  The Mimolite will likely appear the same way.  On = open curtains and off = close curtains.

 

I don't use Mobilinc, but I am sure you will be able to use it to control your curtains.

 

-Randy

[asbril]

iolinc.png

 

As you can see, the IOLinc is simply an on/off device.  The Mimolite will likely appear the same way.  On = open curtains and off = close curtains.

 

I don't use Mobilinc, but I am sure you will be able to use it to control your curtains.

 

-Randy

Great !

[Kandy]

This is really Great! Liked the idea of using IOLinc.

[stusviews]

Open and close is great, if that's all you need. Personally, I prefer being able to stop part way, somewhat similar to dimming a light. OTOH, most of my exterior lighting is on or off. Doors, too. Some are either open or closed. some are nearly always ajar.

 

But I maintain that virtually any window covering, or rather, any room benefits from an intermediate position.

 

BTW, our very first automated window covering was X10 controlled that reversed with each cycle of power

[asbril]

This is really Great! Liked the idea of using IOLinc.

I have gone ZWave all the way and do not plan to go back to Insteon, but IOlink looks very nice.

Hopefully I will install my Automatic Curtains this week, with Mimolite.

[randyth]

Open and close is great, if that's all you need. Personally, I prefer being able to stop part way, somewhat similar to dimming a light.

...

 

I partially open/close the curtains using the on/off IOLinc and a simple ISY program.  The curtains stop if you switch between on and off before the curtains are done opening or closing, so all I have to do is time it right by putting a WAIT in my code for however many seconds it takes the curtains to get to the stopping point I desire.

 

-Randy

[asbril]

I partially open/close the curtains using the on/off IOLinc and a simple ISY program.  The curtains stop if you switch between on and off before the curtains are done opening or closing, so all I have to do is time it right by putting a WAIT in my code for however many seconds it takes the curtains to get to the stopping point I desire.

 

-Randy

Randy

 

In other words, if you click ON (Open) and then click OFF (Close) before fully Open, the curtains stop rather reversing ?

I have received my order from Automatic Curtains but not yet installed .

[stusviews]

I partially open/close the curtains using the on/off IOLinc and a simple ISY program.  The curtains stop if you switch between on and off before the curtains are done opening or closing, so all I have to do is time it right by putting a WAIT in my code for however many seconds it takes the curtains to get to the stopping point I desire.

 

-Randy

 

I do exactly that to provide multiple pre-set positions.

[randyth]

Randy

 

In other words, if you click ON (Open) and then click OFF (Close) before fully Open, the curtains stop rather reversing ?

I have received my order from Automatic Curtains but not yet installed .

 

Correct, you just have the ISY send an OFF command to your Mimolite before the curtains are fully open.

 

Note that this is not the case with the handheld remote control (assuming you purchased one with your tracks) -- it has a separate Stop button you would use.

 

-Randy