How to Retrofit and Motorise Your Existing Roller Blinds with a Battery Powered Motor: A Guide to Convert Your Existing Blinds into Smart, Motorised Blinds Using the Automate Retrofit DIY Kit for Motorisation.
Why Motorise Your Existing Roller Blinds?
If you've ever considered enhancing your home with smart technology, motorising your existing roller blinds is a great place to start. The ability to control your blinds with a simple tap on your smartphone, remote or a voice command adds convenience, and a touch of luxury to your living space. Retrofitting your existing roller blinds into motorised blinds allows you to enjoy the benefits of automation without needing to replace your current window treatments. This means you can upgrade your home with minimal effort and cost, while still enjoying the latest in home automation technology from Motorise My Blinds.
Convenience of Smart Blinds
Motorised blinds provide an effortless way to control light and privacy, adding a modern touch to your home. For more information, I dive in to this on another blog, here.
Cost-Effective Motorisation Upgrade
By retrofitting, you save money and resources by upgrading your current blinds instead of replacing them entirely.
The Benefits of Smart, Motorised Blinds
Motorised blinds offer several advantages over traditional manual blinds. They are energy efficient and allow for precise control over light and privacy, making it easy to adjust your blinds to the perfect position.
Precise Light and Privacy Control
With motorisation, you can automate your blinds to open and close at specific times, including syncing them with sunrise and sunset. You can also schedule them to lower at certain times to protect your flooring and furniture. Timers ensure you make use of every blind, every day. Many people don't use certain blinds simply because they find it inconvenient to manually operate them. Your windows are there to provide natural light, and motorising your blinds helps you get the most out of them.
Energy Efficiency
As I mentioned, the inconvenience of manually operating your blinds often leads to not using them, which can make your home less energy efficient. For example, in winter, keeping your blinds up allows the sun’s warmth to naturally heat your home, reducing the need for heating. In summer, lowering the blinds helps block out heat, keeping your home cooler and reducing the strain on air conditioning. By automating your blinds, you can ensure they’re working to optimise your home's temperature, ultimately saving energy and lowering your bills.
Integration with Home Automation Systems
Allows you to effortlessly control your window coverings with a simple voice command or tap on your smartphone. Whether you're using Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple's Siri, motorised blinds can be synced to your smart home, allowing you to schedule opening and closing times, adjust blinds based on sunlight, or even control them remotely while you're away.
What You Need to Know Before You Retro Fit Your Roller Blinds
Before diving into your DIY motorisation project, it's important to consider a few key factors.
Compatibility Considerations
First, you'll need to assess whether your existing chain drive roller blinds are compatible with motorisation. Not all blinds are designed for retrofit, so it's crucial to check compatibility before purchasing a motor. A roller blind is essentially fabric wrapped around an aluminium tube and to motorise it, you need to determine if a motor can fit in your tube, you can do this with our tube identifier chart (see pic below). If your tube is not in our chart don't worry—we offer another DIY kit that includes a replacement tube. You can check it out here.
Types of Motors Available
You'll also want to consider the type of motor that best suits your needs—whether it's battery-powered, plug-in, or solar-powered. Understanding these details will ensure a smooth and successful retrofit process with.
Rechargeable Battery Powered Motors
The rechargeable battery motors made by Automate are able to complete approximately 500 cycles, with 1 cycle being up and down. For this reason I recommend going for the rechargeable battery motors as you will not need a an electrician, it is a much cleaner look because you wont see any wires and it is as easy as charging a mobile phone. check out the pic below, this roller blind has a motor with a motor cover on it and it is very sleek.
Plug-In Motors - 240 volt
Best suited for extremely large roller blinds and linked blinds that require more power as they are lifting more weight. They are also widely used in holiday rentals to avoid wait time by staff due to recharging the battery powered motors. Obviously you will need an electrician.
Solar-Powered Motors
Solar panels are available as an add on to the rechargeable battery powered motors and they are mostly used for windows that are out of reach in for example stairwells and high set window. they are rarely used in place within reach because you will see the solar panel which just isn't desired or necessary.
Choosing the Right Motor for Your Roller Blinds
Selecting the right motor is crucial for a successful retrofit. While you can find cheap motors online that simply move your blinds up and down, investing a little more in quality products can make a big difference. High end motors allow you to connect your blinds to a hub and an app, enabling you to set timers and enjoy two way communication between your hub and blinds. For more details, check out this blog here.
Assessing Your Blinds' Size and Weight
The type of motor you choose depends on the size and weight of your roller blinds, as well as your desired level of automation. Our chart will help you determine the correct motor size for your needs. For 99% of interior blinds, the 2Nm motor is sufficient, while the 1.1Nm motor will work for around 80% of blinds.
Step-by-Step Guide to Determining if you can Retrofit your Roller Blind
It's pretty simple really, take your blind down and remove one end to identify your tube.
Remove the Existing Blinds
A roller blind typically consists of two key components: the chain drive end, known as the chain winder, and the other end, called the idler. The idler has a pin that fits into a hole on the bracket mounted to the wall. To remove the blind, first close your blind or roll it up, this pin must be retracted, and the method varies depending on the system hardware you have.
In some systems, the idler has a plastic cog that allows you to simply turn it in the correct direction to retract the pin. In other systems, the pin is spring loaded, and you may need to use a screwdriver to retract it. You shouldn’t need to force anything, but with lower-quality systems, a bit of extra effort might be required.
Identify Your Tube
Once you’ve removed the blind, the next step is to pull out the chain winder end. Measure the outside diameter of your tube in millimetres, then match it to the chart to determine the correct crown and drive for your motor. The crown and drive are essential components that connect to the motor, ensuring it functions properly. Without the correct crown and drive, your motor might either spin freely inside the tube or only partially engage, which can drastically reduce the lifespan (see the pic above).
Take a Photo
When measuring the diameter, take a photo of your ruler against the tube. This can be helpful if you need to send it to me for further assistance.
Reinstall Your Roller Blind
Once you're done, carefully reinsert the chain winder back into the tube. Proper alignment is crucial, just like with the crown and drive, so avoid forcing it in. The inside of your tube will have ridges, as shown in the tube identifier chart, and the chain winder will have corresponding grooves for proper insertion. If you put your blind back up and it doesn’t work properly, don’t worry, simply take it down and try again.
Start by placing the chain winder end back into position first, then click the pin on the idler into the hole in the bracket. You don’t need to force anything, take your time, as it should be a smooth and simple task.
How to Use the Simple DIY Automate Retrofit DIY Kit
The Automate Retrofit DIY Kit from Motorise My Blinds makes it easier than ever to motorise your existing roller blinds. This kit includes everything you need, and is designed for easy installation.
Components of the Kit
Automate motors with crown and drive pre-attached by us
Motor covers in black or white
Automate remote control
Automate Pulse 2 Hub
Charger
Installation Process
As I explained earlier, you removed your blind to identify your tube. Now, we'll repeat the process, but this time, instead of reinserting the chain winder, we’ll be inserting the motors.
Inserting the Motor
As I explained earlier when inserting the chain winder, the tube has ridges that need to align with the grooves of the inserted part. This time, we’ll be matching those ridges to the crown and drive. The crown and drive is the black plastic piece attached to the end that you’ll insert into the tube (see the picture below). Carefully align the grooves of the crown and drive with the ridges inside your tube. You won’t need to apply any force, there are sufficient allowances for it to slide in easily.
Reinstall you Blind
Simply put your blind back up as explained earlier.
Troubleshooting
If you run into any issues, I’m only a phone call away. You can reach me at 0412 995 872.
Programming Your Motors
Follow the instructions provided with the remote control and the Pulse 2 Hub to program your motors effectively. The Pulse 2 Hub is necessary if you want voice control via Google Home, Alexa or Siri.
Frequently Asked Questions about Motorising Your Roller Blinds
Can I Motorise Any Roller Blind?
Yes, all roller blinds can be motorised. However, in some cases, you may need to replace your tube, especially when retrofitting cheaper blinds or off-the-shelf products. We offer another DIY kit specifically for replacing tubes—you can check it out here.
How Long Does the Installation Process Take?
The installation can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on your experience and the complexity of the project.
Is It Difficult to Retrofit My Blinds?
Retrofitting is generally straightforward, especially with a DIY kit. Following the instructions carefully is key to success.
Conclusion: Embrace the Convenience and Efficiency of Motorised Roller Blinds
Retrofitting your existing blinds with motorisation isn’t just a modern upgrade—it’s an investment in your home’s functionality, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. By choosing a DIY solution like the Automate Retrofit DIY Kit, you can transform your living space with minimal effort. Whether you’re new to home automation or a seasoned DIY enthusiast, motorising your blinds offers a range of benefits, from convenient control to enhanced energy savings. More importantly, it allows you to fully utilise all the blinds in your home, letting in the right amount of light exactly when you need it.
Many of us neglect to use the majority of blinds in our home simply because we can’t be bothered to manually adjust them every day. With motorised blinds, you can set timers, providing a much more versatile and comfortable living environment.
With a bit of patience, you can successfully motorise your existing blinds and enjoy the luxury of smart blinds. Plus, the satisfaction of completing the project yourself adds an extra layer of achievement. So, why wait? Start your journey towards a smarter, more convenient home today with Motorise My Blinds. Happy retrofitting!
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