My Somfy-SmartThings Integration

You have a few options to make this work:

  1. Switch the On and Off code in the device handler
  2. Create a virtual switch, and have Core or smartligting rule execute what you want on the actual device
  3. Use Ask Alexa, which will give you better natural voice control (can use Open and Close)

For #1 its an easy change if you use @E_Sch code. Around line 308 (def on and def off) switch the “int level =” to be 0 for On and 100 for off.

I personally use Ask ALexa. I like the natural voice rules you can create:
“Alexa, tell smarthings to open shades halfway” -> Set shades to 50%
“Alexa, tell smarthings to open shades”
“Alexa, tell smarthings to close shades”

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All, I have contacted Somfy support who confirmed that they have no plans to release the ZRTSI using European zwave frequencies. However, they recommended using Tahoma but were not aware if there had been a community written DTH for SmartThings. Does anyone here have any experience in Tahoma or any other way integration with SmartThings can be achieved in the UK?

Hello Everyone!

Thank you @Mbhforum, @E_Sch, and Ashwin for your work on this.

I just got my new Bali Shades (powered by Somfy) and was expecting to need the ZRTSI. But, good news, these new shades have Z-Wave Plus built-in! I got them from Home Depot.

However, your DH isn’t quite working correctly for these shades. I’m guessing that’s because I’m not using a ZRTSI. Here is what’s going on:

  • CLOSED - This is working fine.
  • OPEN - Shades only open to 50%. If they are already open >50%, nothing happens.
  • DIMMING - Does nothing.
  • STATUS changes to UNKNOWN, except after using CLOSE command

I’ve switched over to the DH “Z-Wave Dimmer Switch Generic” for now, which is working perfectly; but of course the ON/OFF vs. OPEN/CLOSE is not ideal.

So, I’m hoping you can update your code to support direct control (without ZRTSI), or perhaps create a separate (I’m guessing, simplified) DH for Somfy blinds/shades that have Z-Wave built-in.

Let me know if I can help at all. I’d be happy to be the guinea pig.

@sirbriguy81

Use the DH Handlers made by @whoismoses located at the bottom of the first post on this thread, they work with them. Also just refer to it for troubleshooting etc if you need it. Graber and Bali belong to the same parent company, so they use the same motors:

@Mbhforum Thanks for this integration.

I use the Somfy shades and the zRTSI device currently and followed the instructions that came with ZTRSI to configure the base node, the vitual node and then program 5 channels corresponding to the remote. Then from ST I scanned for a new device and added the 5 channels (4 + All channels) and the zRTSI and they all work well. Added Google Home integration and control them using voice commands, as of now everything works well.

Here is a screenshot of my ST App with the Somfy blinds look like now.

However, the shades using ST and Google Home only has ON-OFF functionality (works like an electric switch). ON is open completely and OFF is close completely. I don’t have a way of stopping them midway or programming a favorite. That is why I am here.

From this point forward could you please help me set this up so that it has all the functionality as with the Somfy remote. I’m not well versed with Groovy or Creating ST apps and device types, but I am reading up about it and can get that to work. All help is appreciated.

Use IFTTT and create triggers. That might help.

@ZebraBlinds - The DH by @whoismoses is working perfectly. Thank you for pointing that out.

However, I can’t seem to figure out how to re-add my two-button remotes as secondary remotes for the blinds. My wife prefers physical buttons over smartphone buttons or voice commands (won’t hold it against her). Do you know if this is possible?

Do the following: https://youtu.be/8mTF8uF7jnE?t=1m54s

Also if you have questions just ask on the other thread or pm me since this thread is mainly for the ZRTSI and I don’t want to end up confusing people.

@ZebraBlinds - Worked! I love it! So happy with these Somfy blinds and the SmartThings Community. (I’ll use the other thread for future posts). Thanks again!

@ZebraBlinds is there such a thing as top down motorized Blinds?

@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?