A Better Way to Charge Your Blinds: The Automate Magnetic Charger
Updated: Aug 20
If you own several Automate ZERO Li-ion blinds, the annoying part of charging is usually not the charge time itself — it is getting up to each motor and lining up a small Micro-B plug every time. The Automate magnetic charging system is designed to make that repeated connection much easier.
Quick answer: leave one small magnetic Micro-B connector fitted to each compatible ZERO motor, then use one magnetic charging cable across all of those blinds. The cable snaps onto the connector when you need to charge and pulls away when you are done.
How the Automate Magnetic Charger Works
The small Micro-B connector stays in the charging port of a compatible ZERO motor. When the blind needs charging, bring the magnetic cable to the motor and let the round magnetic connection snap together. One cable can then be moved from blind to blind, while each motor keeps its own connector.
Standard Micro-B vs Magnetic Charging
Standard Micro-B | Magnetic charging |
Plug directly into the motor each time | Connector stays in the motor |
Fine for one easy-to-reach blind | Best suited to several compatible blinds or awkward access |
Repeatedly handle the Micro-B port | One cable can service multiple motors |
The magnetic charger is rated within the same 5V charging ecosystem. We do not treat it as a slower trickle-charging product. Its main benefit is the easier connection, not a claim of faster charging.
Where It Makes the Most Sense
The value becomes obvious when you have several blinds. If you own five compatible ZERO blinds, use one magnetic cable and fit five connectors — one in each motor. When a blind needs charging, move the same cable from blind to blind.
Quick Check: Which Way Does the Charging Port Face?
For the magnetic system to work well, the motor charging port should face directly down. That lets the cable hang vertically. If the port faces sideways, the weight of the hanging cable can pull against the magnetic joint and cause it to drop off.
How to Reposition the Charging Port
The port direction is physical rather than a setting in the remote. The exact bracket arrangement varies, but on most roller blinds the motor end needs to be removed from its bracket and refitted so the Micro-B charging port points straight down.
1. Fully raise the blind so the fabric is rolled safely onto the tube, then disconnect any charging cable.
2. Support the roller and carefully remove the blind from its brackets. Use a second person for a wide, heavy or high blind.
3. At the motor end, reposition the motor head in its bracket so the Micro-B charging port faces directly down. Do not force the motor head or allow the roller's weight to hang from the charging port, antenna or cable.
4. Reinstall the roller and make sure both ends are fully seated and secure in their brackets.
5. Test UP, DOWN and STOP. If the direction or stopping positions have changed, reset them before normal use.
Need to correct the direction or limits? Follow our step-by-step Automate programming guide. If you are not comfortable removing the blind from its brackets, contact the original installer or send us a photo before starting.
Which Motors Is the Magnetic System For?
Our magnetic product is intended for compatible Automate ZERO Li-ion motors using the Micro-B charging connection. Older 12V motors, DC FT external batteries and Li-ion FT outdoor USB-C systems use different charging arrangements.
If you are unsure what motor you own, use our Automate charger finder before ordering.
Magnetic Charging for High or Awkward Blinds
A magnetic connector does not magically bring a very high motor within reach, but it removes the fiddly part once you can reach the connection point. For difficult installations, combine the right approach: a longer charging lead, short extender, magnetic connector or compatible solar panel.
One Cable, Multiple Blinds
For a home with multiple compatible ZERO motors, fit the connectors once and keep one magnetic cable somewhere easy to find. When charging day comes around, move that cable from blind to blind.
For the complete charging process, read How to Charge Automate ZERO Li-ion Roller Blind Motors. For every Automate charging system, see the complete charging guide
