motorized blind and shade automation systems 2024
 Bulletin 

Mermet® Custom Shades: Our DIY shade and blind motor kits are popular, but for those of you wanting a more complete solution, we are now offering high quality shade and blind fabrics from Mermet®, mounted on standard tubing, with hem bar. Our automated remote control shade motors just slide in and lock in place - no fuss no muss! Please check our Custom Blinds and Shades website for info.

blind motor remote control with Android and IOS phone apps

Looking for the best home automation systems for motorized blinds and other devices?

With the explosion of the IoT (Internet of Things) industry, there are many new home controllers available. In this article we are attempting to give you some insight to help you choose the best solution, especially if you want to control our shade and blind motors, skylight/window openers, smart film, drapery motors, etc.

The following list is not by any means complete, nor is it in any particular order, although we favor the RF-IR Blaster Hub from BroadLink®.

It is a snap to implement, very affordable, and can control our radio motors individually, without any intermediate interface equipment. The Android and IOS apps that come wth it are also very good, please see the BroadLink introduction and instructions articles.

If you want to take it even further, take a look at how we use Alexa™ voice control with the Node-RED home automation system. Programmed in Javascript, it is an excellent system with an awesome visual design system that is part of the Raspbian default installation on the Raspberry Pi and supports literally hundreds of devices, including our blind motors and skylight/window openers via the BroadLink® plug-in node. This is our current favourite!

For another great Raspberry Pi system, take a look at the Home Assistant home automation system. Written in Python 3, it is an excellent system that runs on any platform and supports literally hundreds of devices, including our blind motors and skylight/window openers via the BroadLink® plug-in.

Our high quality RollerTrol™ DC tubular motors for motorized shades and blinds with state-of-the-art remote control systems are precision engineered, safe for children and adults, and easy to install (see our battery operated motors).

These motors are perfect for making custom remote control window blinds (with optional LED room lighting control), sun shades, skylight shades, solar shades, night shades, projector screens, awnings, actuators, banners, flags or any application where you need a rotating tube. Our RF-433 external stand-alone receivers will also control many other DC devices, such as fans, LED lighting, etc.

Please Note: Our blind motors, window openers and other devices are operated with wall mount and hand held controls, and our system is designed to allow automation to be added at any time. This means you can start with our simple remote controls and add the automation later, and take your time with it. Our remote controls will continue to function while you build your automation system and will also continue to function after the automation is activated.

SystemPlatformRollerTrol™ Motor
Connectivity Options
Open
Source
Cloud
Required
Cloud
Optional
User
Control
BroadLink RF-IR Blaster Hub (and sensors) Android, IOSWiFi, IR,
RF 315/433 MHz
(direct transmission)
partial (SDK)noyesauto-install app
(Android/IOS)
Node-RED Visual Design (with BroadLink support) Linux (Raspberry Pi)
Windows
Mac
WiFi, IR, BLE
RF 315/433 MHz
(direct transmission using BroadLink RF-IR blaster)
Z-Wave3
yes (free)noyesBrowser
Home Assistant (with BroadLink support) Linux (Raspberry Pi)
Windows
Mac
WiFi, IR, BLE
RF 315/433 MHz
(direct transmission using BroadLink RF-IR blaster)
Z-Wave3
yes (free)noyesBrowser or
custom app
OpenNetHome Linux (Raspberry Pi)
Windows
Mac
RF 433 MHz1
Dry Contact Relay3
yes (free)noyesBrowser or
custom app
Domoticz Linux (Raspberry Pi)
Windows
RF 433 MHz2
Z-Wave3
Dry Contact Relay3
yes
(payment by donation)
noyesBrowser or
custom app
OpenHAB Linux (Raspberry Pi)
Windows
Mac
RF 433 MHz2
Z-Wave3
Dry Contact Relay3
yes
(payment by donation)
noyesBrowser or
custom app
Vera ProprietaryRF 433 MHz2
Z-Wave (native)3
partialnoyesBrowser or app
Homeseer ProprietaryRF 433 MHz2
Z-Wave3
Dry Contact Relay3
partialnoyesBrowser or app
SmartThings ProprietaryZ-Wave (native)3partialyesnoAndroid or iOS smartphone app only

1 use Jeelink Classic USB dongle w/ 433 MHz, RFM12B chip. (controls all our motors and stand-alone receivers)
2 use RFXCOM USB transceiver (NOTE: controls older R series motors only)
3 requires additional Z-Wave® USB dongle and/or group transmitter system

What our customers are saying:

♦ "Doing the blind myself with your motor ... cost me $240.00 ... I saved $600" - DH, Edmonton, Alberta

♦ "Thank you for an impeccable service! Wish everyone would work like you!" - JC, Miami, Florida

♦ "Great product, exceptionally quick delivery" - PV, New South Wales

♦ "Great seller, fast communication and shipping, highly recommend, thank you" - RS, Verdun, Quebec

more customer feedback ...

Tubular Motor Comparison Matrix: (*key specifications in yellow)

Part
Number
Radio
Lift
lb/kg
Drive
OD
in/mm
Typical
Tube OD
in/mm
Torque
Nm
RPM
Volts Idle
Current (mA)
Max
Load
(mA)
Standard Series - With Internal Battery (25mm housing diameter)
TMKP-1-RB Y 12/5.5 1.37/35 1.5/38 1.5 32 12 0.07 1500
Standard Series: (25mm housing diameter)
TMDP-12-25-15-32-R Y 12/5.5 1.37/35 1.5/38 1.5 32 12 0.07 1500
TMDC-12-25-15-28-NR N 12/5.5 1.37/35 1.5/38 1.5 28 12 0 1500
HEAVY DUTY MAXI Series: (35mm housing diameter)
TMDP-12-35-45-9-R Y 45/20 2.4/60 2.5/64 10 9 12 0.07 4000
TMDG-12-35-45-9-NR N 45/20 2.4/60 2.5/64 10 9 12 0 4000