How many of you guys are offering motorized shade control? If so, who are you specing and what are some of your issues?

We use Lutron QED shades.
The only problem (for customers is that they are a bit expensive)
Work great

There are many options for motorized products and a variety of ways to integrate them.

Some of these are “proprietary” solutions with controllers embedded directly in the motors, which have limitations and restrictions on the range of products they can be implemted in, as awell as the sytems they can be contolled from.

One such is the Lutron Shading Solution, which can only be controlled from a Lutron lighting system.

Another is the Somfy RTS radio motor. This can only be controlled through a proprietary one way radio signal which may be subject to range and interference issues in larger projects. If the radio fails there is no other way to “talk” to the motors.

We are a motor control OEM and we have many customers that manufacture a variety of motorized products such as projection screens, cellular shades, draperies, rolelr shades, black out shades, exterior awnings, wood blinds, silhouettes, exterior shutters and exterior solar screens to name a few.

You can see a lsit of a few of our customers by browsing to the partners page on our website, http://www.elec-solutions.com.

These companies provide our intelligent and reliable motor controllers along with their “standard” motorized products, proviiding a flexible, relaible and robust solution that offers a variety of “conenctiviity” possiblities that work with virtually any automation system.

Check out our latest AC and DC single motor controllers, RQ60AUMHG and RQ60DUM at our website. This ground breaking control solution provides full bi-directional connectivity on a data link via RS232 or RS422 (either of which can be easilty ethernet enabled) with simple concise ASCII strings and powerful unsolicited reporting if you have a need for feedack. The best part is the soltuion works with ANY “Standard” AC (4 wire) or DC (2 wire) motorized product on the market today that might show up at a project, so a single solution works for everything, inculding projector lifts, TV lifts, motorized windows, etc.

We also offer free trainign seminars, see the trainign tab on our website.

The world of motorized window coverings is a profitable but convoluted one. Attending one of our trainings would give you the “Whole Picture” and help you better understand what soltuons would best serve you in a project.

Regards

Jere Gianola - Sales Manager
Electronic Solutions, Inc.

Actually Lutron shades can be controlled by other systems, not quite as precise as if you were using a Homeworks system but it can be done.

We used Lutron QED shades. We changed last March to Somfy RTS. If we are using Lutron lighting control systems, Lutron shade control is easy to add and works fine. If we are using complete automation systems, we are using Somfy! It is easy to control!

We are using Lutron Sivoia QED shades.  They’re quiet, and robust.  In terms of cost, they may be a bit pricey, but typically if one of our clients is asking about motorized shades, they can afford them.

We specialize in Lutron Sivoia QED and QS, but also work with many other manufacturers including Goelst America and Silent Gliss. Motorized shading is our main business and we leave the heavy tech to fellows like yourselves.

For reliability, it’s Lutron all the way. You’re generally not going to have issues with damaged, missing, or mis-shipped orders, they’re easiest to install for a shade installer, you’re not going to be running back and forth on service calls, and systems integrators love them since they can tie into just about anything via dry contact. They are expensive, but they sell themselves to customers in a demo because they’re so quiet.

This is to cover three rows of windows that go up 20 feet high. I want a motorized shade (hard wired) that will keep out the afternoon sun/heat….we have sizzling summers in southern Louisiana…..but still be attractive. These windows will have direct sun in the afternoons. All websites I have seen only go up to about 192” in height. Thanks!

Lutron is the most prevalent but Somfy, Draper, Hunter Douglas are others.  This is a category that you will find has local integrators who usually offer custom solutions.  Not usually installed by the A/V integrator.  Usually handled by the electrician or in some cases a specific window treatment designer.  Then we take over with our automation and trigger the motors from our control systems.  Just like lighting.

Fun stuff.