Re: RE: Automating Velux windows

[Martin Howell <grizelli.projects@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi David,

Many thanks for such a detailed reply.  It looks as if this would be an
expensive business for fairly limited benefits, and all the windows are
in place so retro-fitting may be a problem.  I think I'll stick with the
hook on a pole approach while looking at the possibility of rigging up
an external motor to take the place of the pole puller - it should be
possible to set up a linear actuator of some sort mounted inside the
roof.  Thanks again for the help

regards
Martin

David Pullen wrote:

>Martin
>
>I am in the process of automating 4 windows and do intend to write it
up
>when I have finished (but it is part of a large project and it may be a
>few months).
>
>You can use the velux kits with other inputs - I am controlling mine
>with a VIOM that is controlled by Homeseer. However, there are a few
>issues:
>
>*  You should use the velux motors (and the motor itself sits on the
>outside of the window) so you really need to take off the top flashing
>and remove some tiles/slates to do the cabling.
>
>*  If you want to do blinds, then it will be quite fiddly to do on
>installed windows. There are remote controlled blinds that operate
>independently of the control units but then you lose some of the
>benefits of the control units.
>
>*  It may be difficult to hide the cabling with windows that are
already
>installed.
>
>*  The motors do not open the windows very far. I haven't measured it
>but I think the chain is less than 30cm.
>
>*  It takes quite along time to open the windows ~ 35 seconds for our
>units. I believe it may be shorter for some windows.
>
>*  If you are using a velux motor they would recommend the velux
control
>units (WLC100). I am not sure if it would work with other controls but
>that may be one way of saving money.
>
>*  If you do use the velux control then you need to purchase the
>interface units (WLF111) to use another control device as there is a
>specific protocol for controlling the control units.
>
>*  If you want to control windows individually then you need a control
>unit and interface unit for each! This does provide you with control of
>external and internal blinds and window though.
>
>*  The control units do not control the windows and blinds
>simultaneously. You can send commands sequentially but the first
element
>operates and then when it completes the second element starts.
>
>*  If you want to do partial opening of windows or blinds there is no
>direct control. You have to set timers which means there is
considerable
>potential for synchronisation problems.
>
>*  The control and interface units do appear to have a lot more
>functionality but velux will not tell you what it is other than saying
>that it is not useful to you. It appears that the high cost of the
units
>relates partly to the fact that there is a lot of additional
>functionality that it not used.
>
>We decided to use the velux control units because we knew that they
>would work. If I had had more time to play around with them I might
have
>looked at direct control of the velux motors. The units are expensive
>and I don't think you get very much for your money. The control
elements
>of our windows far exceed the costs of the windows themselves. However,
>as the tops of the windows are about 4m up, I thought it was worth
>doing.
>
>Hope this helps
>
>BR
>David
>
>
>
>   Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 22:35:28 +0100
>   From: Martin Howell <grizelli.projects@xxxxxxx>
>Subject: Automating Velux windows
>
>Anyone done this?  I have 5 velux skylights, all well out of reach.  I
>can open and close them with a hook on a pole, but it would be better
if
>
>they could be made to open when the temperature inside reached n
degrees
>
>and closed if the rain came down or the temp dropped.  Mr Velux sells
>kits that need you to press buttons, but they cost over 400 english
>pounds, so I'd rather find an alternative.  Any ideas?
>
>Martin
>
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>Yahoo! Groups Links
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