The Complete Guide to Charging Automate Motorised Blinds, Curtains & Batteries

Craig Radcliff
5 days ago
5 min read

Automate charging can look more complicated than it really is. The range includes 5V and 12V systems, Micro-B and USB-C connections, built-in batteries, external battery packs and separate indoor and outdoor solar charging systems. The important part is not to choose a charger by appearance alone — identify the motor or battery system first, then match the correct charging method.

Quick answer: current Automate ZERO Q roller blind motors and the current 6Nm Li-ion motor use 5V Micro-B charging. The Li-ion FT outdoor motor is also a 5V motor, but it uses its own outdoor USB-C charging system. Original-generation 12V Li-ion motors use the dedicated 12V charger. DC motors with external batteries and the DC FT outdoor battery system need to be matched to the battery pack, not guessed from the motor voltage.

Find Your Automate Charger

Motor / system	Power / charging	Connection	Correct approach
ZERO Q 0.7Nm / 1.1Nm / 2.0Nm	5V	Micro-B	5V charger kit, 4m Micro-B cable or compatible magnetic system
Current Li-ion 6Nm	5V	Micro-B	Current 5V charging accessories
Original Li-ion 12V motors	12V	Original 12V system	Dedicated Automate 12V Wall Charger Kit
12V DCRF motor + external battery	Motor runs at 12V; current battery pack charges at 5V	Micro-B on current external battery pack	Charge the battery pack to its own specification
DC FT15 outdoor motor	Dedicated external battery system	DC FT battery connection	DC FT battery pack + dedicated charger
Li-ion FT 15Nm outdoor motor	5V built-in battery	Dedicated outdoor USB-C system	FT USB-C port extension and/or Outdoor Solar Panel
Versa curtain battery module	External rechargeable module	Micro-USB on battery module	Charge the battery module, not the curtain motor
240V Automate motors	Mains power	Not rechargeable	No charger required

If you are still not sure what you have, use our Which Charger Do I Need for My Automate Blind Motor? guide before ordering.

Automate 5V wall charger kit with 4 metre Micro-B charging cable

Current Automate ZERO Motors: 5V Micro-B

The current ZERO Q 0.7Nm, 1.1Nm and 2.0Nm motors use a 5V Micro-B charging connection. For a full charge, Automate’s current guidance is to leave a 5V ZERO motor connected for at least eight hours; a solid green light indicates full charge.

Shop the genuine Automate 5V Wall Charger Kit or read our ZERO Li-ion charging guide

The Magnetic Charger: The Easier Option for Multiple ZERO Blinds

If you own several compatible ZERO motors, repeatedly pushing a Micro-B plug into each motor is usually the annoying part. The Automate magnetic system lets a small Micro-B connector stay fitted to each motor, while one magnetic cable can be moved between blinds. Its main advantage is convenience: fit a connector to each compatible motor and use one cable across the lot.

Automate magnetic charging cable and Micro-B connector for compatible ZERO Li-ion motors

Read our Automate Magnetic Charger guide or shop the magnetic cable and connectors

5V Does Not Always Mean the Same Cable

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make. Current ZERO Q motors use Micro-B. The Li-ion FT outdoor motor is a 5V motor but uses the dedicated weather-resistant USB-C FT charging system. The 4m USB-C cable for the Automate Wind & Sun Sensor is also a 5V cable, but it is not a roller blind motor charging cable.

See our Automate Micro-B vs USB-C Charging guide

External Batteries and 12V Systems

Do not choose a charger from the motor voltage alone. Original-generation Automate Li-ion 12V motors use a dedicated 12V charger. Low-voltage DC motors can instead run from external rechargeable batteries, and the battery pack itself determines the charging input. The DC FT outdoor battery system is another separate system again.

Read Automate 5V vs 12V Charging and our external battery guide

Solar Charging: Indoor and Outdoor Are Separate Systems

Automate currently has a 5V solar panel for compatible indoor Li-ion systems and a separate Outdoor Solar Panel for the Li-ion FT motor. Do not choose between them simply because both are 5V. The motor family and charging ecosystem matter just as much as voltage.

Use our Automate Solar Charging Guide

Charging Frequency, Hard-to-Reach Blinds and Troubleshooting

There is no single charging interval for every blind because motor type, blind size, fabric weight and daily use all matter. If access is the problem, a longer lead, a short permanent extender, the magnetic system or compatible solar charging can make a much bigger difference than simply buying another standard charger.

Read How Often Do Automate Motorised Blinds Need Charging?, How to Make Charging Hard-to-Reach Motorised Blinds Easier and our Automate motor troubleshooting guide

Frequently Asked Questions About Automate Charging

Which charger do I need for my Automate blind motor?

Identify the exact motor or external battery first. Current ZERO Q motors use 5V Micro-B, original Li-ion 12V motors use the dedicated 12V charger, DC FT uses its external battery charger, and Li-ion FT uses the dedicated outdoor USB-C system.

Are current Automate ZERO motors USB-C?

No. The current ZERO Q 0.7Nm, 1.1Nm and 2.0Nm motors use 5V Micro-B charging. USB-C appears elsewhere in the Automate range, including the Li-ion FT outdoor charging system and some accessories.

Does the Automate magnetic charger charge more slowly?

The magnetic charger is rated within the same 5V charging ecosystem, with a 2A maximum at the round connector. Automate does not publish a head-to-head charge-time comparison, so we do not claim an exact identical charge time. Its main advantage is easier repeat connection, especially across multiple compatible ZERO blinds.

How long should an Automate ZERO motor charge?

Current guidance is to leave a 5V ZERO motor connected for at least eight hours for a full charge. A solid green motor-head light indicates full charge.

Can I use any USB-C cable on the Li-ion FT outdoor motor?

No. The Li-ion FT motor belongs to a dedicated weather-resistant outdoor USB-C charging ecosystem. The ordinary white 4m USB-C cable used with the Wind & Sun Sensor is not the FT motor charging extension.

Can Automate blinds be solar charged?

Compatible systems can use solar charging, but the panel must match the motor. Automate has a current 5V solar panel for compatible indoor Li-ion systems and a separate Outdoor Solar Panel for the Li-ion FT motor.

What if an Automate motor looks completely dead?

A heavily discharged rechargeable motor can look faulty. Confirm the correct charger, give it the proper full charge and check charging lights, low-battery warnings and programming before replacing the motor.

Our Rule Before You Buy a Charger

Do not buy from the connector shape alone and do not buy from the motor voltage alone. Identify the exact motor or external battery first. If you cannot read the label, take a clear photo of the motor head, charging port and any battery-pack label. That usually gives us enough information to point you to the right charging product and avoid an unnecessary return.