[chbot] Home Automation - Curtains

Tue Sep 26 19:52:57 BST 2017

Heya Carl, an automated blind system is on the list of _automation is cool_
projects (and curtains take up heaps of window real-estate when open) - Can
you elaborate a bit on your system - pictures maybe?
What software/control?
I was thinking of doing the control with 2.4GhZ RF - same as the lights, so
an use the same remotes/bridges

Anyway, happy to collaborate to see this as a thing 8)

On 26 September 2017 at 22:13, Carl Ranson <carl.ranson at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> You might find that's not enough torque, depending on how the blind is
> weighted, but as they say. your mileage may vary.
>
> I've messaged my guy to see if he has an email with the specs for the one
> we used.
>
> 3d printers are awesome. you'll enjoy it a lot.  I recommend learning
> freecad for software. Really good cos you can link all the dimensions back
> to a spreadsheet and then tweak the numbers if you need to make adjustments.
>
> cheers,
> CR
>
> On 26/09/2017 9:27 AM, Andrew Errington wrote:
>
> Hi Carl,
>
> Nice to hear from you.  Glad you're still hacking on stuff.
>
> I'm using this motor:
> http://www.dx.com/p/diy-37mm-high-torque-silent-60rpm-12v-dc
> -precision-gear-motor-grey-383488
>
> It's pretty grunty, but 60rpm is a bit sedate.  Banggood have an 80rpm
> variant and a 130rpm one.  They fit nicely onto the smallest purlin
> bracket, which I've bolted to the wall with timber cladding screws.
>
> Once I have one working I can buy six sets of parts for the windows in the
> lounge.
>
> I have also just bought a 3D printer.  It should arrive tomorrow so for
> the benefit of everyone else reading this I'll start a new thread then
> (assuming it's not a dud).
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> On Sep 25, 2017 9:57 PM, "Carl Ranson" <carl.ranson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hey Andrew,
>
> been a while.
>
> I actually did this for a blind in my house this year.
> I had a friend building a house who wanted to do 18 of them (yes, 18!).
> Not wanting to pay $400 each he sourced the motors from China for about 50
> bucks a piece. These came with a remote control and settable limits etc and
> they mount inside the blind itself.
>
> Problem was, they didn't have attachment hardware. In comes the 3d
> printer. problem solved and I got a motor for mine as payment.
>
> Before that I'd tried door window motor with extra gearing. even that
> didn't have enough oomph to draw the blind (although I probably could have
> added weight to balance it a bit).
>
> Hope that helps.
> CR
>
>
>
>
> On 25/09/2017 5:38 PM, Andrew Errington wrote:
>
> There's also "fishing line I happen to have to hand", which is clearly
> unsuitable in this case.
>
> I'm going to try the builder's line again.  This time with a cable tie
> that I can crank down on to get the tension.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Andrew
>
>
> On Sep 25, 2017 5:01 PM, "Charles Manning" <cdhmanning at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> There's fishing line... and fishing line.
>
> Nylon stretches like anything. Braid (eg. https://www.completeangler.co.
> nz/line-95/braid-97/) has practically no stretch and is available in many
> colours and strengths.
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 25, 2017 at 3:51 PM, Andrew Errington <erringtona at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> I thought I'd start a new thread, as we got away from the relative merits
>> of Banggood vs DealExtreme.
>>
>> I am trying to motorise my curtains, particularly as there are six
>> windows in one room, plus home automation is cool.
>>
>> So far I have identified a suitable motor and gearbox, 12Vdc supply,
>> 60rpm output, with good torque and fairly quiet.
>>
>> At one end the motor, with a 16-tooth GT2 pulley, is attached to the wall
>> using a purlin bracket (purlin brackets are cool).  At the other, I am
>> using a sewing-machine bobbin on an M6 bolt as a pulley.
>>
>> It's early days, but I have tried builder's line, which doesn't stretch,
>> but does slip.  I have tried fishing line, which does stretch, and slips.
>>
>> I think GT2 toothed belt would work well, but I haven't tried it yet.
>>
>> The motor is temporarily connected to a 12V battery for testing.  Later I
>> will use an ESP8266 with microPython to control the motor.
>>
>> Finally, I'll link it to home automation software and relax in my chair
>> as the sun goes down and the curtains gently and quietly close.
>>
>> That's my plan, but there is plenty of room for alternatives or failure.
>>
>> The attached link is for a belt clamp and tensioner made from zip-ties,
>> which I think I will adopt!
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Andrew
>>
>> http://diyprojects.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/belt-connec
>> tion-zip-ties.jpg
>>
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