Simple and good roller shutter control

Hi everyone,

I am new here

So first of all hello everyone and thanks in advance for any answers!

I am renovating a single-family house and converting it into a two-family house.

New windows and blinds are being installed. The only thing I want to automate is the blind. Since I come from the IT sector, I’m pretty fed up with systems that don’t work and don’t want to have trouble with this privately.

So I’m looking for a solution that is simple and cost-effective. App control optional OK. In the long term, I find that questionable. Who knows if the software will still run on a device in 20 years (probably not).

I keep hearing about KNX here.... Is that necessary?

Basically, buttons would be enough for me. Up and down.

Cool. There would of course be a main switch. But the wiring effort puts me off.

Then maybe a bus system does make sense = KNX?

What do you recommend?

Sorry if I’m asking stupid questions. I haven’t dealt with this yet

If it's only about the blinds, then KNX might be overdimensioned. Although it makes sense from a certain number of windows onwards, as it simply becomes cheaper overall and the wiring effort is then less than with conventional methods, if there are only a few, then the manufacturer's own solutions can also be considered.

Just switches with astro function and timer might be sufficient. These are available from various manufacturers in various versions.

Possibly also consider radio motors, then the wiring effort is even less, but you are then dependent on the manufacturer.

Hello MeisterAmBau, I completely share your attitude towards home automation and apps for the same reason (and similar background). Actually, a simple switch up-down as you describe is enough. You can connect a simple timer switch and a light sensor to it. The timer switch prevents someone from outside from opening the blinds with a flashlight at certain times. For the terrace door, I would also use a sensor that prevents automatic closing when the door is open, otherwise you might suddenly be locked out on the terrace in the evening. You don’t need central wiring for this, just some thought and a few inexpensive standard components.

Hi,
as Mycraft already mentioned, it might already make sense to consider KNX.
In principle, you only need a shutter actuator and a power supply, as well as the switches/buttons. That's actually not really expensive. If you want to later operate your shutters based on time, you just add a KNX timer (available with all kinds of features).
You also need a few more meters of cable (5x1.5 for the shutter motor and bus cable to your control points). If you’re pulling new cables anyway, you can pull a few more meters and prepare the rest for KNX. The problem is then that you won’t only stop at the shutters but will see what else is possible, and then there’s the risk that it quickly gets out of hand (price-wise).

KNX only for blinds, if he writes that he actually doesn't want to have anything to do with it, he is certainly missing the point. We have Homeatic, it is quick to set up and easy to install.

I share the thread creator's concerns 100% regarding all the smart stuff.

Cost-effective and fail-safe is first of all a basic solution with switches. Additional wiring throughout the house with actuators, etc. really doesn’t make sense just for roller shutters.

If the standard wiring should become smart, you can rely on open-source wireless solutions and only replace or retrofit the switch. Therefore, proactively install deep boxes everywhere(!). My recommendation is the Shelly2 for 20€ per roller shutter.