I’m getting ready to install an motorized awning and maybe even a solar shade and was going to buy the ESI motor control module. So here is my question.
What options do I have to mount a toggle like switch at the door that opens or closes the awning so long as the user holds the toggle switch in the appropriate direction. I don’t want to search for a z-wave remote to open the awning when I’m already standing at the door.
I haven’t seen such a z-wave compatible switch. The only other alternative I thought of is to install a very expensive 4 scene controller that opens the awning at predefined setting in a scene (e.g. 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%). This option is not preferable since it will be expensive to buy a 4 scene controller.
I’m looking to get an awning in the near future so I’m interested in how this could be done too! I suppose it depends on the awning motor kit and the existing way they wire them really? I’m sure somebody here has done something similar.
Its quite amazing really that they wouldn’t account for this?! Maybe somebody else here with experience of regular window shades has some info; they must be similar and people would want a stand alone switch I would have though?
Yeah, Shady would be our go to guy on this issue… I am VERY interested in automating my shades in the living room…in fact I even purchased the ESI module you were talking about before returning it once the Somfy press release came out.
I would think the should be released sometime soon! Please post back to the forum if you find a reseller.
From what I understand, somebody correct me if I’m wrong, the somfy motor control is not out yet, will be quite expensive, and will only work for a specific line of their motors.
The ESI solution will support pretty much any motor. I think that If I went with a ESI motor control and a 4 scene controller, it will be a good deal cheaper than the Somfy (though I don;t have somfy pricing I imagine it’ll be over $300)
I just wish Levition made a wall switch that did this.
Sorry for the late reply, I was traveling on Shade Business (no joke but sounds funny). Apparently any cheap Intermatic Dimmer will work as a local switch for the awning, like a HA-06 for $25. The Awning will work just like a light and “dim” like one too. I realize that isn’t as intuitive as having a “double throw” switch (that switches up and down), but it is definitely cheaper. I haven’t done this, but both companies that make these controls (ESI and Lagotek) say that it is possible and they sell Intermatic HA-06’s to work with their stuff. A scene controller is probably needed to make the association.
I don’t think the ABMHZ from ESI has any Dry Contact triggers, which is a shame because most of their other controllers do. I’ll try to open one up here and see if they are internal, by chance. I suppose you could hard-wire (line voltage) a Double Pole Decora Paddle Switch along with the ESI control so they both had the same source of power entering them and both went out to the motor. As long as you didn’t operate them together, you should be fine and it might be fine operating them togther by accident because you’re using that same circuit so you wouldn’t chance double feeding the power. But it could damage the motor if one switch was operating the motor in the opposite direction of the ABMHZ. So if a switch is used it should be a Momentary Operation so it springs back to a neutral center position. Somfy actually makes a Multi-Switch Command that works with two momentray switches in different sides of the room controlling the same motor, but the ABMHZ is using a relay that monitors when the motor hits its limit and returns the relay to a neutral state. So while it might work, it might burn out your motor (or house) depending on the perfect storm of conditions.
To be safe I recommend using a low cost Z-Wave Switch and controlling it via Z-Wave.
This just dawned on me too, is that there are manual buttons on the ABMHZ. If you wanted to open it up and solder some leads to the manual buttons and extend them with wire down to a momentary double throw switch or a couple of push buttons mounted onto a swtich plate, that would probably work well too.
You could do that, having the control mounted behind a drapey panel…you could then reach behind the drape and operate the shade/awning sans z-wave. Or open it up and solder wires to extend the buttons.
It might be unsightly just because of the size of the controller and with the wires going in one side and coming out the other side. But it is a self-enclosed, UL listed device and isn’t a bare circuit board like most controllers, it has a plug and cord that plugs into an outlet. That’s why it should be safe behind something like a drapery panel and still accessible.
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