My Somfy-SmartThings Integration

@whoismoses

Norman window fashions has the following which is Top Down only which we carry. Only works with ST using a Broadlink RM Pro and one of the many workarounds to getting it work with ST: https://goo.gl/photos/pYhjseWwt8FzSGzK8

Hunter Douglas does have a TDBU with their Powerview but quite pricey.

I’d be very interested in an answer to this also. Getting Somfy to work via SmartThings in the UK is something I still can’t figure out.


so if I have this tells 4 rts remote I can use this with the zwave rtsII module part # 1811265 to begin my automated blinds with bali?

I’ve read through the thread and am going to Lowe’s after work today but I just wanted to see if I was correct with my direction.

we currently have bali vertical fabric blinds on the back patio but I havnt seen any info on vertical blind automation.

after I configure the blinds do I still need the tellis 4 rts remote because I use it at work so I was wondering if once I get a ST echo integration will i always need the remote to be there and in proper frequency.

oh boy I told my wife i would wait a year for…"alexa, ask Jarvis to open the blinds in the livingroom. lol. she picks the blinds I pick the mechanics, seems fare.

@Cody_Farmer

Once you have ZRTSI set up you don’t need the remote. The remote just helps with setup (makes things a bit easier, you also need it to program the shades or blinds at any point). One issue with the ZRTSI integration is if you ever use the remote, ST won’t know the blind or shade has moved.

If you haven’t purchased anything yet I would highly recommend the z-wave integrated shades that are available now which eliminates the bridge and will also update ST regardless of how you control it. The best part is you can open it to any percentage like you would with a dimmer switch. Prices should be about the same at this point.

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I’ve spent no money on blind automation. could you please elaborate on exactly what I should go buy and where.

blinds not shades ? correct. I would not be opposed to this.

trying to find the most recent real realavent information to begin my project. a lot has changed. if you know any current community links to others success and what there doing that would be great. or what term am I asking for at the store…zwave shades?

@Cody_Farmer
So for Blinds (faux wood, wood, aluminum, vertical etc) right now the RTS motor and the ZRTSI is your best option (as far as I am aware).

For shades (fabric) you have the option for motors with z-wave integration, downside is most shades only go up and down and don’t have a tilt. The closest option in shades with a simulated tilt are Sheer Shades. You can find more information on the z-wave shades here (along with plenty of videos):

yes I think blinds is how I want to go. do you know what motor to look at or should I just go have a sit down at lowes.

I have bali vertical blinds right now and I understand that bali does have motors that can be contacted figured with home automation. funny thing is the specialist no nothing of what I’m doing and just tell me to go to there Web page.

I guess as far as future blinds go I can work my way through it. and it sounds like with the tellis 4 all I need is the rtsii module. I think I’ll start looking at this route.

can you still open and close manually or by switch on motor if needed?

and finally would I need to replace my vertical blinds from Bali and get a special motorized version or can I retro fit the system as is?

On blinds Bali uses somfy’s RTS motors (we sell Graber which is a sister brand, but use the same motorization etc) and they will work with the ZRTSI. The problem with those motors is the only way to operate is with a remote or with the ZRTSI once it’s hooked up. You don’t have a button on the blind itself that’s easily accessible and the only button on the RTS motor is on the motor itself and usually won’t operate the blind.

Bali doesn’t have a vertical blind motorization solution currently, if they did Graber (the brand we sell) would also have it. For your vertical blind I think a retrofit option like the MoveZ might work better.

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I would love some Noob help with this. I almost have it working!

I have my ZRTSII programmed for individual shades (but not yet groups, but that is another issue).

I created two new device handlers.
One from this link
And a second from this link

I assigned the controller to the device type of the first link, and the virtual nodes to the device type of the second link.

The controller does not appear to do anything (which sort of makes sense, but what device type should I assign to it?).
The virtual nodes sort of work. “Open” opens the blinds, “Close” takes it to a preset, and “Preset” closes the blinds.
How do I modify the code to make the buttons do what they are meant to? Anything else I should modify to get this working properly?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks, I tried but could not find Somfy blinds app on IFTTT. What do I use for the integration?

Use a virtual switch with the ST channel.

I have the exact same issue… Open -> Opens Shades, Close -> goes to MY Preset and Preset -> Closes Shades… any suggestions/help would be great!

What worked for me was to go into app. Click on the blind. (e.g. “bottom blond”). Click on the gear icon on the top right. Change from “shade” to “blind” or vice versa. Hit done. Then do again to change back (assuming that’s what you have).

Seemed to reset it so that it worked as described.

That was it… I didn’t set the type through the APP. Once I set it to shades, it worked perfectly. Thank you!

Hi Eric,

I am using your DH to control my blinds. First of all, thank you very much for that. I am not sure what is the difference between blinds and shades. I have so called “transitional” blinds - they go up and down and have two layers of fabric. Which are they blinds or shades? Does it really matter. Currently I am using the default setting - which is Shades. The issue is with closing them down. I setup two CoRE pistons - one opens them at sunrise and another one closes them at sunset. The first one works just fine, but the close operation does NOT. Not sure why. I can see that the routine gets executed at sunset. The status changes to Closing, but the blinds/shades are not moving. Can you help? Thanks!

Does anyone know how to use Alexa to open and close blinds/shades that use this DH? Open/close words do not seem to work with Alexa…

changing the setting to blinds or shades adjusts the commands sent for open/close.

I suggest if you are having trouble with open/close working properly to try the other setting. Be sure to hit done when changing it to ensure the setting is applied.

We develop a nice kit to control somfy from Amazon Alexa. https://hapacks.com/collections/somfy-alexa

Does anyone know if the sunsetter motorized retractable awning works with smartthings?

@cslee The sunsetter motorized retractable awning does not connect directly with ST. But you can purchase a Somfy ZRTSII which does connect directly with ST. Then you can pair the sunsetter motor (usng your Somfy button conrtoller) to the ZRTSII and control it through ST.

I used the following device handler: https://github.com/imnotbob/somfy-shades but there are others out there. Note: the device handler is designed for blinds/shades so you will see UP/CLOSED (closed being extended out for your awning) on the Things Tile. You can modify the handler if you choose.

You may wish to contact @ZebraBlinds in regards to purchasing a ZRTSII. I was able to get a lower price through him. Not sure if that offer is still available through him or not. @ZebraBlinds ROCKS!

Anyway, that is the way I connected my sunsetter to ST. There may be other alternatives available.

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