Which Charger Do I Need for My Automate Blind Motor?
- Craig Radcliff
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
If you are standing under an Automate blind with a flat battery and a drawer full of USB cables, do not start plugging things in at random. Automate has used different voltages and connectors across different motor generations, and some 12V motors are powered by external batteries that use their own charging input.
Quick answer: identify the motor label or battery pack first. Current ZERO Q 0.7Nm, 1.1Nm and 2.0Nm motors use 5V Micro-B. The current Li-ion 6Nm also uses 5V Micro-B. Original Li-ion 12V motors use the dedicated 12V charger. Li-ion FT outdoor motors use the dedicated outdoor USB-C system. DC FT uses its external battery pack and charger.
Step 1: Look at the Motor or Battery Label
The most useful information is the product code, motor family and charging-port shape. If the motor label cannot be seen, photograph the exposed motor head and charging connection. If your system uses an external battery, photograph that battery label as well — the battery may determine the charger.
ZERO Q 0.7Nm, 1.1Nm or 2.0Nm
Choose the 5V Micro-B charging system. The simplest complete option is the genuine 5V wall charger kit, which includes the power supply and a 4 metre USB-A to Micro-B cable.
Several ZERO Motors? Consider Magnetic Charging
For multiple compatible ZERO blinds, the magnetic system is a much easier long-term setup. A small Micro-B magnetic connector can remain in each motor, then one magnetic cable can be moved between all of them. Five blinds can use one cable with five connectors rather than repeatedly plugging a Micro-B lead into each motor head.
Check compatibility and the important motor-head orientation requirement in our Automate Magnetic Charger guide
Current Automate Li-ion 6Nm Motor
The current 6Nm rechargeable motor is also part of the 5V Micro-B ecosystem. Automate changed the previous 3Nm 12V generation to the current 6Nm 5V model, so do not assume an older 12V charger is correct just because the motors look similar.
Original Automate Li-ion 12V Motor
Use the original 12V charging system, not the current ZERO 5V charger. If your motor predates the current 5V range, confirm the model before ordering.
12V DCRF Motor with an External Battery Pack
A motor can run on 12V while its rechargeable external battery pack uses a different charging input. The current 2600mAh external battery pack we stock for compatible DCRF motors charges through 5V Micro-B. Charge the battery pack using the correct input for that battery — do not choose a charger from the motor voltage alone.
Read the external battery charging guide
Automate DC FT Outdoor Motor
The DC FT15 is a 12V DC outdoor motor powered by an external battery pack. Use the dedicated DC FT battery charger for that pack rather than a normal blind-motor charger.
Li-ion FT 15Nm Outdoor Motor
This motor has a built-in 5V battery but uses the outdoor FT charging ecosystem. Use the dedicated weather-resistant USB-C port extension and/or Outdoor Solar Panel. Do not use the ordinary 4 metre USB-C Wind & Sun Sensor cable as an FT motor charging extension.
Automate Curtain Battery Module
Automate Versa curtain systems can use an external rechargeable battery module. The battery module is charged; it is not a charger for the curtain motor itself.
Still Not Sure? Send Us a Photo Before You Order
A clear photo of the motor head, charging port and product label is much more useful than guessing from the blind brand. If there is an external battery, include that label too. We would rather identify the system first than sell you a cable that is not the right charging product.
For the full system overview, read The Complete Guide to Charging Automate Motorised Blinds, Curtains & Batteries and our Micro-B vs USB-C guide
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