Leviton Omni II and Somfy 485 motors

Hi All,
 
I am in the process of running all possible wires during frame stage and would like to know which wires should I run to each window location for a somfy 485 motor connecting back to a Omni II controller?
Apart from somfy 485, I would also like to run a wire for a thermostat connecting back to Omni controller.
 
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
Gsp
 
Australia
 

I checked with Somfy and they reckon the following setup:
 
Power cable to each window location (240v)
RTS motors
Somfy remote to control remotely
Somfy RS485RTS wireless transmitter connecting using RS485 cable to Omni IIe
 
Would this work or am I missing anything? I need the blinds controlled using Omni II and also controlled using a somfy remote.
 
 

Check out this topic: http://cocoontech.com/forums/topic/29328-hai-omnipro2-and-somfy-rs485-transmitter-solved/?hl=%2Bsomfy+%2Brs485#entry247179

Thanks, but i was specifically wanting someone who has this setup to verify if this would work OR should I run a cat6 cable and control cable to each blind location?

If you plan to use RTS motors in your shades then all you need is 2 power wires to each location. In the case of RS485 motors (known as Sonesse in the US), then you'd need to run 4 wires to each shade, 2 for power and 2 for control. For the thermostat you can run cat5 back to HAI panel location.

RTS is far more flexible than 485, but 485 is a bit more reliable and cheaper. I went with RTS and I'm very happy. Each RTS transmitter connected to an Omni can control 16 blinds or more correctly, channels. I like RTS because you can use wireless remotes and it supports sun/heat sensors that you can easily stick on windows. I control 4 blinds based on sunlight in addition to time. (To keep cabinets from fading, etc.)

The terminology for somfy motors is a bit confusing. 485 can refer to one of two things: RS485 (sonesse) motor that is directly controlled via RS-485 protocol, or RTS controller that is operated using 485 protocol. The later is the RTS controller sold outside of the US, and I believe that is what the OP is asking about. In the US one can use RS232 to RTS controller, and that protocol is not as expansive as either of the 485 options, it does not allow preset levels, and the grouping options are limited. BTW, you can use Trelis somfy remotes to operate sonesse motors via a separate receiver wired into 485 network.

picta said:

The terminology for somfy motors is a bit confusing. 485 can refer to one of two things: RS485 (sonesse) motor that is directly controlled via RS-485 protocol, or RTS controller that is operated using 485 protocol. The later is the RTS controller sold outside of the US, and I believe that is what the OP is asking about. In the US one can use RS232 to RTS controller, and that protocol is not as expansive as either of the 485 options, it does not allow preset levels, and the grouping options are limited. BTW, you can use Trelis somfy remotes to operate sonesse motors via a separate receiver wired into 485 network.

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Just wondering why the RTS outside the US went one way when the US RTS is different and limited?  Seems like a stupid thing to do so there must be a logical reason for it just never heard why.

Thanks Picta and Ano.
 
"Sun/heat sensors that you can easily stick on windows" what sensors is this?
 
"2 for power and 2 for control. For the thermostat you can run cat5 back to HAI panel location."  For the 2 wires for control, can I use CAT6 cable instead? Would the 2 wires for power go to the main switch board or terminate on the OmniLTE.
 
Also for Thermostat, can I used CAT6 cable?
 
 
What cable is required to connect thermostat to the heater/cooler unit or is this model specific?
 
Sorry for so many questions, but I couldn't find any information on these anywhere else and this forum has been excellent.

I would like to go with RTS too due to the wireless remote control capability but there is concerns over reliability and of course its pricier too.

You can use cat5/6 wire for control of the shades and of the thermostat, both of these wires will be connected to the HAI panel, but the power wire needs to be at least 18G or lower, depending on the distance to the power source. You can run it to some place with an outlet and use the somfy transformer to power the shades. To connect the thermostat to the HVAC unit you should run a 4 conductor thermostat wire.

gsp said:

I would like to go with RTS too due to the wireless remote control capability but there is concerns over reliability and of course its pricier too.

Click to expand...

Certainly more expensive. As for reliability, that depends on how big your house is, etc.  RTS is not the most robust, but it works pretty good.  I also have an RTS repeater which really helps.  i have the Omni send RTS command 2 or 3 times at 1 minute intervals, and with the repeater its probably 99.5% reliability. The blinds each have an antenna wire and its important that these stick out and not be under the blind.
 
While RTS is not 100.00000% perfect, its pretty good and its certainly better than the need for lots of wires and wired switches.  I have a remote hanging by every window or window group so if I want to change them I can just grab that and adjust the blinds.