Wiring for remote blinds

[68sting]

I'm running some 18/2 for future remote blinds. Does anybody have remote blinds? Where should I run the wire to (top left,bottom left.ect)? How are people hiding it until you need it? I would like to have my wife make some roman shades and wondered if there's a kit to motorize them. I also have some wood blinds that I would like have electronicly tilted. Is there a kit for this?

Thanks
Lance

 

[rfdesq]

I just had a meeting with a motorized shade company to discuss the things you mentioned. I learned that the wiring goes either top left or top right, doesn't matter, try to put it where it is least noticeable. The draperies should cover the motor and wiring. Look at somfy.com. Motors come in a lot of flavors, AC, DC, battery, etc. Some have their own controls, some you can automate with UPB, etc. Wiring depends on type of motor, automation, etc. Call Somfy their tech support was very helpful. Good luck.

 

[smcdonal]

I can't remember the reasoning but my blind installer mentioned 18/3 being ideal wiring for motorized blinds. Maybe check the wiring diagrams for the various motor's on Somfy's web site to double check you can meet the needs of most configurations described there. Things like large wooden blind lift and tilt capability I think have above average requirements depending on the configuration used.

As for hiding the wiring I kind of got bitten by that one. The rough in left the wire protruding from the wall in the top left corner similar to a security system pre-wire (at least in my case). I'm not sure why it was done that way as I would have preferred they drilled through the top corner of the window frame and left a short pigtail similar to the security wiring for window contacts. Some people have mentioned that drilling through a window frame voids the warranty so you might want to verify this.

My plan is to drill a small hole through the side of the top left corner of the window frame and support, connect the wires permanently, and patch and paint the drywall up.

Stephen

 

[Sacedog]

I thought Somfy recommended that you run 16/2, not 18/2. I could be wrong, but I remember reading something about that on an older post.

 

[znelbok]

Pelmets go a long way to help hiding the wiring.

I have the wires sitting behind the wallboard just above the window. I just cut a hole for the plug (standard wall plate size) and then connect the motor. Because the pelmet sites above the window frame by about 4", there is plenty of room and is never seen.

Mick

 

[az1324]

I can't remember the reasoning but my blind installer mentioned 18/3 being ideal wiring for motorized blinds.

Some blinds which are low voltage ac require a ground wire for safety due to large blinds having high wattage motors (ie Sivoia).