I wanted to have Vera control my Somfy RTS blinds. Somfy’s ZRTSI is the obvious solution but (a) it is ridiculously expensive and (b) they don’t have a European Z-Wave version. I investigated Rasberry Pi with the raZberry board, Arduino, Global Cache and various other dry-contact relay devices. The cost for some of these can get pretty high and none of them quite met my requirements. I chose instead to build an interface using a low-cost Wifi/RS232 module (USR-WIFI232-B).
These modules include an amazing set of features including: A Wifi Access Point, an STA node, DHCP server, serial-port UART, GPIO, wired ethernet interface and a built-in web server. My application uses a small subset of the features. The modules are available from China for about $25 delivered complete with antenna. For another few dollars, you can buy an Evaluation Board (USR-WIFI232-2) complete with module, antenna and PSU. This would be a good option if you wanted to minimize the amount of component sourcing and soldering.
The interface uses opto-couplers to connect the Wifi module to the board from a Somfy Telis 1 RTS remote control. These are available on Ebay for around $25 delivered. The additional components I had already but would probably total another $10. Total cost around $60 and about four hours of build-time (less if you used the Evaluation board).
The interface provides all three of the Somfy RTS buttons: Open, Close and Preset. These are triggered by UDP commnds from Vera. The WifiRTS plugin provides the three buttons on the UI and an action to set the position from a scene. The finished unit is about 120 x 80 x 40 mm and sits happily under a chest of drawers next to a power-point. It draws about 1W so doesn’t get too warm or drive-up the energy bill by much.
Instructions for construction and configuration are here: WifiRTS Project and the plugin is available here: WifiRTS
Edit: 03/09/2013 22:13 - Uploaded new version of plugin. Added actions for compatibility with AutHomationHD.
Edit: 16/01/2014 13:15 - Uploaded new version of plugin. Actions now use Job process. I_WifiRTS.xml changed.
There is another way which is not too expensive. There is a somfy rts module you can buy for about ?100, i put that in a enclosure, and use a Fibaro 2x1.5kW switch to switch it. Then i have a little scene for stop, which basically presses out and in (or up and down) at the same time. Works reaslly well, and not too expensive either
That’s a good, simple solution @mikee123. I did consider it but I also wanted to use the Preset blind position. Adding a second Fibaro for the Preset/Stop button would have taken the cost to nearly ?200.
BTW: What’s the difference between a Somfy Centralis Dry-Contact Transmitter @ 103 pounds and a Somfy Centralis RTS Wall Switch @ 28 pounds?
the one @RexBeckett has mentioned is the one i have bought, but you are right i do not have presets but do not need them either. I use it to control my awning, and in out stop is all i need.
I’ve uploaded a new version of the plugin. The revision adds the actions and variables necessary to allow the device to be controlled as a Window Covering by AutHomationHD. Only D_WifiRTS.xml and I_WifiRTS.xml were changed.
I’m actually looking for a Somfy’s ZRTSI alternative as all my shutters are using this protocol.
If I’m correctly understanding your solution I would need to build as much as I have shutters in order to controll them individually?
The WifiRTS plugin only works with the custom IP-based interface described at the start of this thread.
As you appear to be in the USA, you have several other solutions available including Somfy’s ZRTSI and the options suggested by @zwavemotors. These are not available for European Z-Wave which is why I had to use a different approach.
I really like this solution, would it be possible to add another opto coupler. To make use of selection of telis4?
And Will This work with fibaro home center?
Ps could u Aldo post a picture of the rear of youre stripboard?
would it be possible to add another opto coupler. To make use of selection of telis4?
That isn't as easy as it sounds. The Wifi module has six GPIO pins. You can select to use either three or six but if you use six, you lose the [b]Ready[/b] signal. I am using three for Up/Stop/Down and I also use the [b]Ready[/b] signal to prevent any unintended blind movement when the module is powered-up or restarted.
I did consider using a multi-channel remote but concluded that it would only be a practical solution if the interface included a processor to read the currently selected channel for feedback. I think the Arduino project would be more suitable for that. I found that I could get single-channel remotes quite cheaply on eBay so I went with them.
Will This work with fibaro home center?
I'm sure it would be possible if you were prepared to write the necessary virtual device code. An HC2 cannot use a Vera plugin.
Ps could u Aldo post a picture of the rear of youre stripboard?
I didn't take any pictures of the underside of the board. I used 2mm pitch matrix board rather than stripboard so I could use a socket for the Wifi module. So, instead of cutting tracks, I just added wire links. BTW: On subsequent units, I left out the two push-buttons and only fitted the [b]Ready[/b] LED. Those parts were really only useful during debug...
would it be possible to add another opto coupler. To make use of selection of telis4?
That isn’t as easy as it sounds. The Wifi module has six GPIO pins. You can select to use either three or six but if you use six, you lose the Ready signal. I am using three for Up/Stop/Down and I also use the Ready signal to prevent any unintended blind movement when the module is powered-up or restarted.
I did consider using a multi-channel remote but concluded that it would only be a practical solution if the interface included a processor to read the currently selected channel for feedback. I think the Arduino project would be more suitable for that. I found that I could get single-channel remotes quite cheaply on eBay so I went with them.
Will This work with fibaro home center?
I'm sure it would be possible if you were prepared to write the necessary virtual device code. An HC2 cannot use a Vera plugin.
Ps could u Aldo post a picture of the rear of youre stripboard?
I didn't take any pictures of the underside of the board. I used 2mm pitch matrix board rather than stripboard so I could use a socket for the Wifi module. So, instead of cutting tracks, I just added wire links. BTW: On subsequent units, I left out the two push-buttons and only fitted the [b]Ready[/b] LED. Those parts were really only useful during debug...[/quote]
i like the challenge
so If i make 3 WiFi modules, i would in theory be able to control 2 (telis4) remotes. And make use of selections (adding Some code??)
but can’t access the files. ??? Are there any limitations for newcomers in any way?