Re: Automating Velux Venting Skylight?

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 6/18/2015 2:33 PM, kimarkyb@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> On Monday, August 28, 2000 at 2:00:00 AM UTC-5, Brad wrote:
>> Hi Bill.
>> Cool, that's sorta what I had in mind.
>> Well I don't have it yet, it is to be installed into a new room addition that
>> just broke ground.
>>   I had not seen the accessory input module that you refer to in their literature
>> or their web site. Suppose its been discontinued?
>> I'm only going to have one skylight, so ordered the KES 110 control system....
>> the cheaper of the two available. So don't know about connecting to it, I don't
>> have it in my grubby little hands yet.
>> I actually wondered if I even needed the wall controls and could just use HA to
>> control the motor directly. Is this possible/wise?
>>
>> Do you find that the Blinds are a needed item due to heat gain?
>> Mine will be facing west.
>> We have been undecided on the blinds. Going to wire for them anyway.
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Bill Olsen wrote:
>>
>>> Brad,
>>>
>>>          When I had my Velux skylights installed in '96 I bought the
>>> accessory input module that connects to the main control module. I used it
>>> for closing the skylights from a separate thermostat when nights got cool
>>> (are your operators as loud and whiny as mine?). As I remember, the
>>> accessory input module was very pricey. I have since disconnected it and
>>> installed a mini IR LED emitter directly in the keypad. This is connected to
>>> a JDS IRexpander/Stargate/RCS thermostat combination. I now have full
>>> control (open/close) of two skylights and the electric blinds installed in
>>> them in response to various environmental conditions, skylights are
>>> controlled using outside temp/humidity vs inside temp. Blinds are controlled
>>> on an offset of dusk/dawn in the late afternoon during the summer months to
>>> prevent the furniture from fading from direct sunlight. Big HA fun!
>>>
>>> Brad wrote:
>>>
>>>> Has anyone hacked the controls for an motorized Velux Skylight?
>>>> I will be adding an OmniPro type system to my house later and would like
>>>> to incorporate the skylight into the system.
>>>> Any suggestions?
>>>> thanks
>
> did you ever get this to work?
>
> I have the same application
> please email me and let me know
>
> Kimarkyb
>
I guess I'll bite in this 15 year old discussion. I put Velux skylights
in my old house in the Chicago suburbs. They had the build in vent flap.
It was an approximate 2" by 24" wood flap that could be opened using a
stick or the automated motor and controllers. The motors, at the time
were not cheap, but at about $40 or so, wasn't too bad. The Velux
controllers were way way overpriced. And, I had 2 skylights in the
kitchen and one in each of 2 bathrooms, so that would be 3 of the
expensive controllers. I bought the motors and 'hacked' them for my use.
Turns out they were low voltage DC motors, 15 to 24 volts. One polarity
opened until the built in limit switch cut power to the motor. Then
reversing the polarity closed the flap until the 2nd limit switch
stopped the motor. I just used a + and - power supply with a common to
both. An SPDT selected + or - to the motor, i.e. open or close. I liked
this a lot and when building the present house I put in similar
skylights, however, Velux no longer has the flap. So I had to get full
opening skylights. But, the big problem here in the mountains is
humidity, and thus, they never get opened. In the Chicago area, they
acted as a chimney, warm air rises and out it goes. Here they seem to
let in the humidity. I don't know why Velux quit making the vent flap as
it worked so well. In the kitchen, it would exhaust all kinds of cooking
smoke, etc. And in the bathrooms, it always kept the air moving.