Anyone know how to set up motorized curtains for a home theater? The curtains will be floor-to-ceiling 8' X approx. 12' wide.

Dave

Call your Lutron or Mechoshade rep and talk to them about your application. Both will integrate with a lighting scene controller, like the grafikEye, or can be used with manual pushbuttons. I've heard nothing but good things about the Lutron Sevoia (sp?) setup. I know with them, a guy comes out to do the intitial measurement, etc. Run CLass 2 wiring into the jamb for the motor/controller. Check Lutron's site for more info.

Do you already have pieces/parts or are you starting from scratch? Are you using a reversable DC, 2 winding AC, or motorized/spring return drive? I find that most folks err in the way they utilize their limit switches in the control scheme. I have never done motorized curtains but you have to consider the same things as with motor operated switches, dampers, louvers, Et,c. Status, if used, should reach open or closed limit first, followed by control limits, with a safety margin before reaching physical limits. One limit shouldn't prevent operation in the other direction and interlocks should be used for dual winding motors.
Joe

On this topic I have a real winner "Shade Guy" send this to me, once... And when a say winner, I mean full-blown retard! I asked a GC to get me a spec +/or cut-sheet for some shades at a job, as "Motorized shade" is just not enough on a set of plans... He calls the guy, and 3 days later he sends this...

He sent a pdf file named Stay out of trouble for electricians . The GC reads it over, and contiplated for 2 more days while trying to get this dope to understand what "Specification" meant... (never-mind "cut-sheet") Frustrated with me hounding him as this place was about to rock - gives it to me.... And we both died laughing - its a page out a training manual that Jeff Spiccoli could have written. (And goes to show what that company thinks of Electricians.)

Bottom line is you need to know what manufacturer you are going to be dealing with in very least. (BTW the company listed on that sheet was not what was installed.... Nor was it wired that way.) And you will need to know the model# and how many motors will be used. They are all pretty different... Sivoia QED is set up with a remote transformer that is operated by key-pads, or other automation. Others will have just a 3-wire from a 3-way switch, some will have double motors large enough for a circuit each... and have a DPDT, and others will need momentary switches. And the list can can go on as they are not standardized.

And a great way for a "Shade Guy" not to get smacked around a job-site is to provide you with a spec or cut-sheet...

Dave,
I'm with Mike (mhulbert) on this one.
A curtain opener is not unlike a garage door opener, except it works in a different way.
The principle is the same though, with limit switches and so forth.
I seem to remember John (Reno) talking about knowing things outside of the electrical trade.
This is one of the places that Electrician's should be able to go.
Mechanics and say, servo motors, etc.
You guys should know this stuff, or at least be able to pick it up pretty quickly.
It's all very well being a Master Electrician, but passing an exam is nothing without real world experience.
Prove me wrong.

e57,

I saw that same set of warnings that came with a motorized screen that dropped out of the ceiling. Interesting business approach to insult the guy that will get much more face time with the customer, therefore much more opportunity to criticize the equipment, and one less person to ever recommend that type of equipment to anyone else.

I am a Lutron HomeWorks and Shade guy. If you need assistance or are near my area, i will gladly hook a brother up.

"you must establish firm control over the electrician"

They must really want their shade installers to have a hard time. Fine, give me the wiring diagram then leave me alone. I have the diagram if I screw it up then that's my problem.

The minute they try to establish any control over anything electrical the home owner is going to make a choice of who's staying and who's going. I will not be told how to do my job by someone outside the trade.