
The deluxe tilt radio frequency motor is available for use with 2" and 2 1/2" wood and faux wood blinds. The motorization can be accomplished with batteries, a DC transformer to a power supply, or a solar panel. This upgrade will add between $280 and $500 per blind, but can be a nice feature for those who need the convenience for hard to reach windows. Keep in mind, motorization of wood and faux wood blinds are for the tilt function only - not for the lift function.
If you are thinking about motorization of your wood or faux wood blinds, then it is important to keep in mind some of the things that can cause difficulty. Like anything with a certain level of technology, no matter how well designed the product is - learning the nuances when compared to the standard non-motorized option that has been around for decades is useful.
If you have, or are considering, a motorized window treatment, here are a few tips and tricks to keep the blind working perfectly for years.
When using the battery option:
1. Make sure the battery tube end is screwed on tight.
2. Use only lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have a higher temperature tolerance than alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries can burn up your motor.
3. Put the batteries in the correct way.
4. Check connections and then batteries. Dead or dying batteries can cause the shade to go slow and have other issues. You need to replace batteries when the shade starts to slow down.
5. If you have done all you can do, for example, checked all connections, changed batteries, then the problem could be a motor that is bad and needs to be replaced. If you have another shade that is working, switch battery tubes from the shade that is not working and see if the problem is the batteries or just a bad motor.
6. If you don’t have motion when using the battery motor, check the connection at the motor. Often times, when changing out batteries, the tube may dangle below the blind and the tube disconnects the wire from the motor.
7. It is important that you do not to start pressing buttons on your remote, the shades are already programmed. Do not press the UP and DOWN button at the same time. Don’t push any two buttons together unless you are programming the shade.
8. If shades with external antennas won’t operate after checking the batteries and power cords, check to insure the antenna has good remote visibility. To insure visibility, keep the antenna in front of the headrails and not wrapped around other obstructions.
When using wired power options:
12. When motors seemingly do not have power, check the power supply cord. Power cords are often times tucked behind or under other materials (under carpet for example) and may be crimped or pinched. Carpet tacks can damage wires.
13. When using wall switches, do not tighten switch plate to where it pinches antenna, causing damage.
This list represents most of what a service technician would check first when evaluating your motorized wood or faux wood blind. Anything more involved with this would involve reprogramming the blind and/or switching out the actual motor or remote. Instances of motor or remote failure are rare and most of the time the issue can be corrected with the steps listed above.
While motorization and automation of everything seem to be the wave of the future, we at Latreia Wood Blind prefer that our clients are aware of what extra steps and management may be required of the motorized blind. With all of that said, we prefer motorized blinds in our own homes, because they are convenient, clean, and very cool.
We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood motorization project. Also, please check out our online wood and faux wood cost estimator for a rough idea of what your project may cost. Remember to add approximately $400 per blind for the motorization option.
If you are thinking about motorization of your wood or faux wood blinds, then it is important to keep in mind some of the things that can cause difficulty. Like anything with a certain level of technology, no matter how well designed the product is - learning the nuances when compared to the standard non-motorized option that has been around for decades is useful.
If you have, or are considering, a motorized window treatment, here are a few tips and tricks to keep the blind working perfectly for years.
When using the battery option:
1. Make sure the battery tube end is screwed on tight.
2. Use only lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have a higher temperature tolerance than alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries can burn up your motor.
3. Put the batteries in the correct way.
4. Check connections and then batteries. Dead or dying batteries can cause the shade to go slow and have other issues. You need to replace batteries when the shade starts to slow down.
5. If you have done all you can do, for example, checked all connections, changed batteries, then the problem could be a motor that is bad and needs to be replaced. If you have another shade that is working, switch battery tubes from the shade that is not working and see if the problem is the batteries or just a bad motor.
6. If you don’t have motion when using the battery motor, check the connection at the motor. Often times, when changing out batteries, the tube may dangle below the blind and the tube disconnects the wire from the motor.
7. It is important that you do not to start pressing buttons on your remote, the shades are already programmed. Do not press the UP and DOWN button at the same time. Don’t push any two buttons together unless you are programming the shade.
8. If shades with external antennas won’t operate after checking the batteries and power cords, check to insure the antenna has good remote visibility. To insure visibility, keep the antenna in front of the headrails and not wrapped around other obstructions.
When using wired power options:
12. When motors seemingly do not have power, check the power supply cord. Power cords are often times tucked behind or under other materials (under carpet for example) and may be crimped or pinched. Carpet tacks can damage wires.
13. When using wall switches, do not tighten switch plate to where it pinches antenna, causing damage.
This list represents most of what a service technician would check first when evaluating your motorized wood or faux wood blind. Anything more involved with this would involve reprogramming the blind and/or switching out the actual motor or remote. Instances of motor or remote failure are rare and most of the time the issue can be corrected with the steps listed above.
While motorization and automation of everything seem to be the wave of the future, we at Latreia Wood Blind prefer that our clients are aware of what extra steps and management may be required of the motorized blind. With all of that said, we prefer motorized blinds in our own homes, because they are convenient, clean, and very cool.
We would love to help you with your wood or faux wood motorization project. Also, please check out our online wood and faux wood cost estimator for a rough idea of what your project may cost. Remember to add approximately $400 per blind for the motorization option.