DC Blind Motor Remote Control: Instructions

These instructions apply to the DCG-1R-RFR remote control receiver, coupled with any of our DC blind motors (non-radio type). This example uses our G series (and GQ alternate series) wireless wall switch controlling our extra heavy duty Maxi motor (non radio type); all our G series remotes use the same digital radio protocol.

Product used in this article:

DCG-1W-RF (1 ch) wall mount remote control (and DCGQ-1W-RF alternate type)
DCG-1R-RFR 3 amp radio receiver
TMDG-12-35-45-9-NR G Series MAXI Shade and Blind Motor (45 lb lift)
12v AC/DC power supply (110/240v 50/60 Hz)

Please Note: it is always a good idea to set this up on a table first to test the operation

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Introduction

Our Maxi blind motor is used as an example in these instructions, but this radio receiver can be used as a remote control system for any standard 12v DC motor or device drawing 15 amps or less.

This would include items such as window and skylight openers, motorized drapes, fans, LED lighting, etc.

In these instructions, we are using our 1 ch GQ series wireless wall mount remote control, but you could just as easily use our hand held 5 and 15 ch remotes, as well as our surface mount wireless timers. These additional control methods can also be added at a later time, and they will work in conjunction with the 1 ch hand held remote. You can also add our home automation interfaces at any time.

The wiring is very simple:

• Connect the 2 wires of the motor to the 2 output terminals of the receiver (polarity does not matter)
• Connect the 2 wires from the power supply to the input power terminals (polarity does matter)
• The antenna wire is a tuned length and should not be cut, and it should not touch anything metal. Stretch it out horizontally for maximum range

This is the same radio control system we use with our window openers and built-in radio motors for blinds and shades, so you can open/close windows and adjust shades with a single multi-channel remote control that you can add later. We also have Z-wave and other interfacing devices for use with any home automation hub that supports relay modules (which can be added later).

Use with many different home automation hubs, such as Control 4, Wink, SmartThings, Vera, Homeseer, Razberry Pi, Staples Connect, OnHub, etc.

Each receiver can handle up to 3 amps of current (36 watts @ 12v DC), and the 1 ch remote can control as many motors as you like on that single channel.

Our radio control system is very flexible, here are some notable features:

• Our 5 and 15 channel remote controls have 5 or 15 separate channels + an ALL channel
• Assign individual channel control to each motor controller AND group them on a different channel
• Assign motors and other 12v devices to different remotes for multiple control points (receivers can hold up to 20 channel assignments)
• The digital control signal is very strong and can usually reach anywhere in a typical home, passing through walls and floors

We have been referring to this receiver unit as the motor control receiver module, and it is one of the NodeSwitch™ family of control products. The references to it may be shortened to RollerNode™ motor controller or just RollerNode™ receiver in the instructions further down.

1. Locate the Setting Button on RollerNode™ Motor Control Receiver

Each RollerTrol™ motor control receiver module has a flexible plastic tab on the housing that is used to activate the setting switch inside.

This switch activates and controls the programming mode of the receiver with regards to channel assignments.

You can feel a pronounced tactile click when this switch is activated, when pressing the plastic tab with a small screwdriver or similar item. You do not need to apply much pressure for this to be activated.

2. Connecting Power to the RollerNode™ Motor Control Receiver

The 12v power supply that comes with the kit has a screw adapter on the end to facilitate easy connections.

It is important to observe polarity (negative and positive wires, as seen in this picture) when connecting the 2 power supply wires (not provided) to the radio motor controller power input terminals.

Lamp cord or heavy duty speaker wire works well as wiring for the system, and it is usually available in different colors that can match your decor.

You will need a small Philips screwdriver to tighten the screw terminals on the adapter, and a small blade screwdriver to tighten the screw terminals on the receiver.

We recommend that you get a set of small jeweller's screwdrivers for this purpose. We also provide a white 2 pole spring loaded wire connector that you can use however you like.

3. Connecting the Maxi Motor to the RollerNode™ Motor Controller

The 12v motor (above) is controlled by the receiver module. It has a continuous lift capacity rating of 45 lbs when used with a 2.5" tube (60mm inside diameter ID).

The motor has a short cable that feeds power to the unit; the wire pair at the end should be connected to the output screw terminals of the RollerNode™ motor controller module. This can be extended with a single pair wire, if you need to install it further than the supplied cable allows. Lamp cord (#14 or #16) works well, and so does heavy duty speaker wire.

You do not need to observe polarity because reversing these wires simply reverses the action when you press the open/close buttons on the remote control. If you are installing this in a difficult-to-access location, you should know that you can also reverse the motor controller output polarity by directly re-programming it with the remote.

However, we always recommend that you set the system up first on a table so that you can become comfortable with the operation and programming procedures.

4. Bracket Dimensions & Clearances for the Blind and Screen Motor

The adjustable brackets for the Maxi allow for a good range of adjustment to accommodate different roll sizes and fabric lengths.

They require an allowance of 2" (51 mm) within the window frame, so if your window frame inside width dimension is 50", the maximum width of your fabric/tube would be 48".

The motor itself is 25 5/8" (600 mm) in length, tip to tip, and the minimum tube length is 24.5" (623 mm). This means the smallest window frame width you could use with this motor is 26.5" (673 mm).

The brackets also come with cotter pins if you feel it necessary to lock the square pin at the motor end into the bracket.

 

5. Preparing the Wall Mount Radio Remote Control (G Series):

Please Note: If your wall mount remote looks different from the unit in these pictures, please see section 6 with details about the GQ series. They work the same way, but there are slight differences in cosmetics and button positions.

Removing the Back Cover

The surface mount wall remotes and timers all use the same type of 'press fit' housing.You will need a small flat blade screwdriver to pry the back cover off, exposing the battery compartment and programming button (if it has one).

Insert the blade near a corner, to start separating the back cover from the main housing (picture 1).

Rotate the blade gently (picture 2) to continue the process of separation, but don't try to do it all at once. Move the blade along the edge and rotate it gently as you move around the 4 sides and you will find that it comes off quite easily, even though it is fastened tightly when snapped in place.

Note the two mounting holes in the back cover that can be used for attaching the switch to the wall. These switches are attractive, bone white, low profile units that do not require an embedded box.

They operate on button batteries for many years, and the radio control signal has the ability to reach anywhere in a typical home, passing easily through walls (but more signal loss if walls are concrete or brick).

You can assign as many motors as required to a single channel on these 1 and 2 channel wall switches, and you can have as many switches as needed in the same room.

Locating the Programming Switch and Battery Compartment

Once the cover is removed, you will see the button battery compartment and the programming switch (P2).

You can remove the button battery cover by inserting a coin in the slot provided. Insert the CR-2430 button battery into the battery receptacle (make sure the stamped + symbol is facing up).

You should be able to see the P2 programming button beside the battery compartment (see picture). The single channel wall switch uses this button for programming the motor functions, but the 2 channel unit does not use this (even though the plastic button appears to be there).

Please Note: The 2 channel wall switch uses a combination of 2 buttons (UP and STOP) to execute programming instructions. Wherever you see an instruction to press the P2 programming button in this article, if you are using the 2 channel remote, you need to press the UP and STOP buttons simultaneously instead. The 5 and 15 ch wall remotes use a similar 2-key setting combination, please see the directions for 2, 5 and 15 channel wall remotes.

6. Preparing the Wall Mount Radio Remote Control (GQ Series):

These attractive switches are bone white and look good with any decor. The LED indicator flashes when the control buttons are pushed, confirming the OPEN/STOP/CLOSE action. They last for years on a single button battery because there is no current draw in their rest state.

When you have a number of motors, the usual procedure is to use a multi-channel remote as the MASTER remote that controls the motors on various channels.

This single channel unit can then clone (copy) the digital radio channel signature from the MASTER remote, with a very easy procedure as per the Channel Cloning Procedure below (see the Before You Continue section).

If you only have one remote, you can assign it as the MASTER. In either case, you need to remove the back cover to access the setting switch on the remote.

The back cover is removed simply by inserting a small blade screwdriver into the slot on the side of the housing. A gentle rotation of the blade will cause the switch housing to spring apart, exposing the battery compartment and setting switch, as in the picture below.

After removing this cover, you will see the battery compartment at the top right of the remote. If the button battery is not installed, insert it now. Please pay attention to the battery polarity. The battery has a large plus + sign on one side - this should be facing up, towards you.

There is a hole in the opposite lower corner (see picture) of the remote with a button inside it; please familiarize yourself with the location of this button switch, it is used to confirm channel assignments and other programming actions. It is referred as P2 in the instructions.

This switch also has tactile feedback, and you do not need to press very hard. Try to use something that is rounded and slightly smaller than the hole as it is possible to miss the switch entirely if you use a pointed object.

Please Note: If you have the multi-channel version of this remote, the only difference is that you will need to select the channel (using the channel selector button) before you start the cloning or master channel assignment procedures below.

7. Programming ... Before You Continue ...

If you have set up your RollerNode™ motor controller on some other remote control 'master', you can very simply clone the motor controller assignment to this remote (or a different one). You only need to assign a MASTER channel once (starting at Part 6), so if you have already done that, you can just clone the master channel using the following procedure.

RollerNode™ Channel Cloning Procedure:

• Set the MASTER REMOTE to the master channel you want to clone (if multi-channel type).
• Press and release the P2 button TWICE on the MASTER REMOTE that holds the master channel you want to clone, the motor controller will beep once each time.
• Press the P2 setting button on the single channel unit, as per the above picture. The motor will beep 5 times.
• At this point, you are finished - the cloned channel will control the motor receiver, and you can test it with the motor or whatever 12v device you have connected.
• Please Note: Wait 10 seconds for programming cycle to complete before you clone another channel.

Note: The following procedures require 6 seconds of pause after completion. Please wait before you try a new procedure.

8. Setting Up The RollerNode™ MASTER CHANNEL:

AS PER THE PRECEDING NOTE, PLEASE SKIP THIS STEP IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ASSIGNED A MASTER CHANNEL TO THIS MOTOR CONTROLLER WITH ANOTHER CHANNEL or ANOTHER REMOTE THAT YOU WANT TO KEEP, this procedure erases any previous settings.

Please Note: The time between consecutive button presses must not be longer than 6 seconds, otherwise the operation will time out and you will have to start over. Also, some wall mount remotes use a combination keypress instead of the P2 button, please see wall mount remote control instructions.

• Set the REMOTE to the master channel you want to assign to the motor (if multi-channel type).
• Press and release the SETTING BUTTON on the DCG-1R-RFR radio receiver/motor controller once, it will beep.
• Press P2 button on the REMOTE, the receiver will beep (wait for it).
• Press P2 button on the REMOTE again, the receiver will beep.
• Press the UP or DOWN button on the REMOTE CONTROL (this sets travel direction), the radio receiver will beep 6 times; the memory clearing procedure and MASTER assignment is complete.

The operation is done at this point - the memory of the receiver has been cleared, and the master channel has been assigned. You can re-set the memory as many times as you like, but please understand that any other channel assignments will be erased from the receiver. You can add other channels and remotes to this RollerNode™ motor controller by following the cloning procedure in the Before You Continue section above.

Note: All procedures require 6 seconds of pause after completion. Please wait before you try a new procedure, or repeat this one.

9. Testing the Motor Direction:

You should be able to run a connected motor at this point - try the UP/DOWN/STOP buttons on the REMOTE. If the motor runs in the opposite direction to the one desired, you can permanently reverse the motor direction (although you could also just reverse the output wires). The next actions for reversing the output mode must be completed within 6 seconds of each other:

• Press the UP button on your REMOTE and make note of the direction
• Press and release the P2 button on the REMOTE, the motor controller will beep once.
• Press and release the DOWN button on the REMOTE, the motor controller will beep once.
• Press and release the P2 button on the REMOTE, the motor controller will beep twice, indicating the end of the procedure.
• At this point the motor travel will be permanently reversed (unless you clear all the memory, or change it back)
• You can test this by pressing the UP button on the REMOTE to see if it moves in the opposite direction from when you started this procedure

Note: All procedures require 6 seconds of pause after completion. Please wait before you try a new procedure.

10. Setting the Travel Limits:

The provided hex tool is used to set the travel limits on the non-radio Maxi motor type.

The motor can travel a maximum of 30 revolutions. The white hex screw adjusts the UP travel limit and the red hex screw adjusts the DOWN travel limit.

We sincerely hope you enjoy using these advanced systems; if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!