Re: Somfy Blind Automation

["Nick" <nick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Anyone know if the somfy blind
> controllers can be interfaced
> by "closed contacts".

Yes, this is what I did.....

- Centralised 24 Volt power supply (Somfy GPS100).
- Hefty "speaker" cable from there to each window.
- Standard "alarm" cable from Comfort to each window.
- Somfy tube (9011786) - 3 metre lengths, cut your own
- Somfy LT28 24 Volt motor (1000039 / KT84701)
- Right angle bracket kit (9030030 / 403001)
- Plug end for tube (9020000 / 402000)
- Inteo Centralis DC IB (1810153)

Then, 24 Volts goes into the Centralis (hidden on the wall, behind
the curtain).  The feed to the motor comes from the Centralis.  The
alarm cable is used to take common/open/close connections of
Centralis back to Comfort.

Then, a momentary closure of common to either open or close causes
the Centralis to apply power to the motor for three minutes.  The
motor itself counts revolutions, so knows when to stop (so, the
three minutes is not significant).  Centralis also takes care
of "which way round" to apply power to the motor for open or
close.

Works like a dream - my study blind just closed while I was writing
this!  I'll try and post some pictures over the weekend.

> where abouts did you get
> the somfy parts?

Started with Simply Automate for the first set.  Then when I
needed "bulk", I tried approaching Somfy direct.  They also have
an
excellent technical support guy - when he's there!

> I "heard" the luxaflex ones
> have motors and batterys in the
> tube (which you have to charge
> occasionally)

No batteries in Somfy.

> Know of any other makers or
> somfy the main one.

No, I've been very happy with Somfy.

> Does somfy do IR?

Yes, there is an alternative to the Centralis which does IR.  I
think it also has the remote functionality (not sure).

Hope that helps,

Nick