PowerShades

This driver is used for controlling both PowerShades RF and POE controlled shades. Please note, a separate driver instance must be used for each type: RF and POE.

Revision History

v1.0 - The Initial release of the driver

v1.10 - Fixed control issue when grouping 3+ shades.

General Information

The PowerShades driver allows control of both RF Gateway shades and POE shades over a network connection. Before using this driver, ensure that all shades are set up and that their limits are properly configured. The configuration process differs between RF and POE shades; refer to the Shade Configuration section at the end of this document for more details.

System Setup

First, configure the number of RF and POE shades that the driver will manage. The selections made here will determine the available configuration options. Keep in mind that you need a separate driver instance for each type: RF and POE.

RF Gateway Configuration

This section is available only if the RF Gateway Motor Count is greater than 0.

IP Address: Enter the IP address of the RF Gateway.

Motor Name (Optional): You may assign a name to the motor for easier reference. If no name is provided, a default will be used.

POE Shade Configuration

This section is available only if the POE Motor Count is greater than 0.

IP Address: Enter the IP address of the POE Shade.

Motor Name (Optional): You may assign a name to the motor for easier reference. If no name is provided, a default will be used.

Groups (optional)

You can set up groups to control multiple shades simultaneously. To create groups, select the number of groups you need from the Group Count dropdown menu. As you add shades, additional options for grouping will appear.

Note:

• The last shade entered in the group will have an empty field below it.

• Shade options do not incorporate the motor names entered in the RF/POE sections. To control a specific shade (e.g., all shades in a living room), you will need to know the RF/POE shade numbers from the earlier configuration steps.

Driver Commands

Commands exist to "Jog", "Set", and "Group Set" shades.

Driver Variables

The driver has variable options for "Name", "Level", "Voltage", and "Connection State" for each shade.

Note:

- The "Connection State" for the RF Gateway is based on a status update from the first shade. In the event "Shade 1" stops operating (ex. low battery) then the connection state will show as "Disconnected".

Driver Events

This driver has an event for each RF Shade to warn if the battery has reached a low level and needs charging.

Additional Information

• The driver requests an update from every shade in the system every 10 seconds. In the event a shade is controlled from outside the RTI system, it may take up to 10 to be updated.

• Upon download the driver will take a few seconds to update the system with the status of each shade.

Shade Configuration

Resetting the shades - all motors can be factory reset by holding down the motor button for 15 seconds.

Powershades offers a config.net application for easy installation of their shades.

It can be found at the following link:

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mzpjllzb64x?hl=en-US&gl=US

Pairing/Gaining Control

RF Gateway w/ Shades

After discovering the gateway and selecting it, a series of channels will appear in the config.net application. To pair an RF shade you should do the following:

1. Hold the motor button for 2 seconds, and click the "Pair" button in the application.

2. Hold the motor button for 2 seconds, and click the "Link Feedback" button in the application.

3. Press the up and down arrow in the config.net application and ensure the motor responds with a quick vibration.

4. Select channel on RF remote, and hold the motor button for 2 seconds. Hold the - button on the remote until the motor responds.

5. Hold the up arrow on the RF remote and let the motor jog for 10+ seconds to ensure it is at the top limit. Press and hold the up arrow and the - button in combination until the motor responds.

6. Hold the down arrow on the RF remote and let the motor jog for 10+ seconds to ensure it is at the top limit. Press and hold the up arrow and the - button in combination until the motor responds.

7. Hold the motor button for 2 seconds, and click the "Pair" button in the config.net application, once again to gain full control. Now both the config.net application, AND the rf remote should affect the shades. If you have control of the shade in the config.net application, you should have control now when running the driver.

POE Shades

Each POE shade will appear in the config.net application after performing a scan. They can be selected and added.

The process for gaining control over these differs from that of the RF shades.

1. Click clear limits

2. Hold jog up for 10+ seconds to ensure it is at the top limit.

3. Click Top Limit

4. Hold down for 10+ seconds to ensure it is at the bottom limit.

5. Click Bottom Limit

6. The limits should now be set. Click 50% to ensure control of the POE shade. If you have control of the shade in the config.net application, you should have control now when running the driver.