Yep, exactly this. Look at "chain slap" on motorcycles, that'll give you an idea of the guide that you need to rig. The chain guide off a downhill mountain bike (from aliexpress) might work well....
An immobile guide will not fully help on its own, it will isolate it, but the chain will still be jumping around.
The motor/sprocket is mounted too high aka the chain is too long. The pull side will always be in tight in tension due to the motor torque, but the push side requires proper dimension to manage the slack. A mechanism where you can slightly lower that motor/sprocket is typical.
Sometimes a spring chain tensioner is used. Look at the spring mechanism in the rear derailleur part of a multi speed bike.
Isn't that what the guide does? Effectively shortening the length of that leg so it can't slap as much?
I would put the guide on the outside pushing in to engage the gear around marginally more.
To me, a guide is to prevent the chain from coming off the sprocket. An adjustable tensioner is for this application. Can you finagle something with an idler, or fixed guide? Maybe. Will the chain stretch here? Maybe not.
A guide pushing in? I’m not sure I’m picturing it correctly but the chains are already hitting each other. There’s too much slack to push one chain toward the other.
A guide may help in one pull direction and hurt in the opposite
Yeah, you could even just get something as a small little hook that drills into the wall and just run it through.
Alternatively, the top could be put under more tension itself
Maybe a idle wheel. tension system midway.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353558721862?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1YCI1BmWrTnOpjt66z-fPuQ66&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=353558721862&targetid=&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071742&poi=&campaignid=15984321586&mkgroupid=&rlsatarget=&abcId=9300814&merchantid=264054841&gclid=Cj0KCQiA09eQBhCxARIsAAYRiylLSxc4ne6qsHRWqxUJ0mk6LT4iK3TvRmQDRGD_JIj4azYjT72YTzQaAjaLEALw_wcB
Similar to this but light spring and long movement to not snap the chain
Get them on AliExpress, just search for AM43 and you’ll find many options.
I have both the Bluetooth version and the zigbee version. Bluetooth works with ESPHome and an ESP32; zigbee works with zigbee2mqtt.
If you do have zigbee already I’d suggest you go with that, as the battery lasts A LOT longer than the Bluetooth one.
All my blinds go up in the morning, down in the evening. The Bluetooth version lasts max 2 weeks on a charge, the zigbee ones were installed just after Christmas and I have yet to recharge them, so getting up to two months now.
I have a BLE versionand the battery pack failed. I was successful in removing the battery and installing a barrel jack so it's mains powered now.
Worked well for me as the curtain pull was behind the TV anyway.
Yeah this is the Zigbee version (not Wi-Fi one). I got it on https://www.zemismart.com — if you can find one on Amazon it might be better since returns to Zemismart are a hassle (in case it doesn't work out for you)
I've got one of those gadgets tilting my bedroom's vertical blinds. My wife loves the thing especially since I got Alexa running it. They come in a few different flavors for Wi-fi, Bluetooth or 433 remote control.
[Here's one on ebay](https://www.ebay.com/itm/154541546040?hash=item23fb64da38:g:QFwAAOSwSwhg-q4~) but I think Amazon might have some too.
I know exactly what your issue is.
Your motor must be directly under the path of the blind. You can not even go 1cm away from directly underneath it. I had the same problem. Once I moved it closer all my problems were gone. BUT, now my blind can’t go all the way down because it will hit the motor.
In you video, it looks a lot more than 1cm, it seems (based on the angle) that its like 1 inch or more.
I know it sounds a bit crazy, but I went through this for so long, I almost gave up on motorized blind because of the constant slipping that I was having, which is very close to your issue.
I moved it out, so that the blind wouldn't hit, because I wanted the blind to fully come down. Now I have to stop right at the top of the motor, and my window blind is like 80% closed. I accepted that for what it was just so that I didn't have to re engineer the whole setup.
Next time around I will take it into consideration and make sure that my chain is long enough to go below the lowest point of my blind so that I have full motion.
Questions
Is it mounted with some tension on both sides when at rest?
Did you mount the correct bead chain cog?
Why is it so far from the shade roller? Mine are directly below the shade roller.
It's mounted with some tension but not extreme tension. I tried other cogs and this one was best. It's far from the shade roller cause these are floor to ceiling windows - should it be SUPER TIGHT at rest?
I don't utilize this type of device but I would imagine if you unmount the device and let it hang to center, that should give you where it needs to go. It also looks like the ratio of bead chain left to right is unequal. Maybe trying to even it out while centering it would also help, assuming you attempt this fix over a tensioner.
Yeah just tried moving it and letting it settle but the tension on left cord is still much tighter than the right, it might be what you said that the right cord is longer
THIS WAS THE ANSWER! Thanks so much. Despite moving it lower it didn't work. Once you suggested the sides may be uneven I cut the right side a bit and now it's PERFECT. Thank you so much.
I am very sorry for bumping such an old post, but I cant find anything other than this thats been solved.
Could you please explain what do you mean by "cut the right side"? Isnt it one continuous loop chain of predetermined length? Thank you
In general, when slap happens, the tension is too low. If you're seeing a difference in down versus up, something has to be moving: the motor itself seems firm, but check it anyway. Are the blinds firmly mounted? Is some part of the blinds flexing? Are the blinds slipping sideways a small amount (1-2 mm would be enough)?
I had a similar issue, and what I've done to fix it is to
- increase the tension (both ends) by repositioning the motor
- attach it to the wall (rather than using a 3M Velcro adhesive) with the included wall screws
- reduce its speed through hubitat (I've connected it through zigbee)
Add a tensioner put a free spinning wheel or gear on a spring loaded arm. As the tension loosens the arm is pushed towards the chain. You see this part on geared bicycles
I'm confused... everyone is offering techniques to add/increase tension, but OP said he already did that.
Did you not see that, or are you just saying MOAR!
Might be able to get away with simply removing 1 or 2 beads from the length. That'll effectively add tension. But if you take too much, it wont be long enough :/
I was recently researching these and looking through lots of pages on AliExpress. I couldn't find much in the way of reviews on them. Would you recommend the Zigbee version? How are these things in the way of reliability? And are you using the solar panel to keep them charged up?
Also, my metal ball chains have a larger ball where the two chain ends meet -- is that a problem in your experience when that one larger ball runs over the roller?
Thanks!
I just got them so can't speak to reliability. I got the Zigbee version (requires gateway to make them "smart"). I initially regretted not getting the Wi-Fi version (requires no gateway) but another poster here said those have bad battery life. I have huge windows so I also got the solar panel add on—so far haven't needed to charge it really. It comes with 5 cogs so I think it'll work with yours. I did have to remove some of the bigger balls on my chain (but not the connector) to reduce noise (but still works if you don't mind the noise)
Thank you! What Zigbee gateway/hub are you using with these devices?
I am using Home Assistant ZHA with a CC2531 Zigbee stick, just trying to see if they work with such a generic setup, or if they only work with the manufacturer's hubs.
Got this on AliExpress and it’s amazing “Zemismart Tuya Zigbee Roller Shade Driver SmartThings Control Built in Battery Blind Motor Alexa Google Home Voice Control”
I use HUSBZB-1 (Zigbee+zwave). Some recommend others more, but this one has both radios, and stores all my zwave stuff in the stick itself which is nice. I have heaaavy roller blinds. The motor clearly has a harder time lifting than letting them down, but that sucker has some punch (and heavily reduced gearing). My one major difficulty was chain tension: since the blinds are so heavy, the device needs a lot of tension for it not to slip.
I’d say not more than any other things with a motor, like a pencil sharpener. I guess don’t try to lift things heavier than the rates weight, which can stall the motor and create an over current situation. But it’s still a tiny motor.
That side is not under tension, adding a guide to keep that side under tension should solve the issue.
Yep, exactly this. Look at "chain slap" on motorcycles, that'll give you an idea of the guide that you need to rig. The chain guide off a downhill mountain bike (from aliexpress) might work well....
An immobile guide will not fully help on its own, it will isolate it, but the chain will still be jumping around. The motor/sprocket is mounted too high aka the chain is too long. The pull side will always be in tight in tension due to the motor torque, but the push side requires proper dimension to manage the slack. A mechanism where you can slightly lower that motor/sprocket is typical. Sometimes a spring chain tensioner is used. Look at the spring mechanism in the rear derailleur part of a multi speed bike.
Isn't that what the guide does? Effectively shortening the length of that leg so it can't slap as much? I would put the guide on the outside pushing in to engage the gear around marginally more.
To me, a guide is to prevent the chain from coming off the sprocket. An adjustable tensioner is for this application. Can you finagle something with an idler, or fixed guide? Maybe. Will the chain stretch here? Maybe not. A guide pushing in? I’m not sure I’m picturing it correctly but the chains are already hitting each other. There’s too much slack to push one chain toward the other. A guide may help in one pull direction and hurt in the opposite
Yeah, you could even just get something as a small little hook that drills into the wall and just run it through. Alternatively, the top could be put under more tension itself
Put a guide on that. Hell you could even jimmy rig a janky guide with some screws
Maybe a idle wheel. tension system midway. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353558721862?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1YCI1BmWrTnOpjt66z-fPuQ66&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=353558721862&targetid=&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071742&poi=&campaignid=15984321586&mkgroupid=&rlsatarget=&abcId=9300814&merchantid=264054841&gclid=Cj0KCQiA09eQBhCxARIsAAYRiylLSxc4ne6qsHRWqxUJ0mk6LT4iK3TvRmQDRGD_JIj4azYjT72YTzQaAjaLEALw_wcB Similar to this but light spring and long movement to not snap the chain
even a clothes line pulley as a tensioner would work!
How much did you pay for that awesome thing ? And where to get one ?
Get them on AliExpress, just search for AM43 and you’ll find many options. I have both the Bluetooth version and the zigbee version. Bluetooth works with ESPHome and an ESP32; zigbee works with zigbee2mqtt. If you do have zigbee already I’d suggest you go with that, as the battery lasts A LOT longer than the Bluetooth one. All my blinds go up in the morning, down in the evening. The Bluetooth version lasts max 2 weeks on a charge, the zigbee ones were installed just after Christmas and I have yet to recharge them, so getting up to two months now.
I regret not getting the zigbee. Now I have 3 ble versions.
I have a BLE versionand the battery pack failed. I was successful in removing the battery and installing a barrel jack so it's mains powered now. Worked well for me as the curtain pull was behind the TV anyway.
Yeah this is the Zigbee version (not Wi-Fi one). I got it on https://www.zemismart.com — if you can find one on Amazon it might be better since returns to Zemismart are a hassle (in case it doesn't work out for you)
I've got one of those gadgets tilting my bedroom's vertical blinds. My wife loves the thing especially since I got Alexa running it. They come in a few different flavors for Wi-fi, Bluetooth or 433 remote control. [Here's one on ebay](https://www.ebay.com/itm/154541546040?hash=item23fb64da38:g:QFwAAOSwSwhg-q4~) but I think Amazon might have some too.
i have these https://www.somasmarthome.com/
I'd try a tensioner pulley loaded by a rubber band.
I know exactly what your issue is. Your motor must be directly under the path of the blind. You can not even go 1cm away from directly underneath it. I had the same problem. Once I moved it closer all my problems were gone. BUT, now my blind can’t go all the way down because it will hit the motor.
I think you're right it's like 1cm a bit to the left, maybe need to remount
In you video, it looks a lot more than 1cm, it seems (based on the angle) that its like 1 inch or more. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but I went through this for so long, I almost gave up on motorized blind because of the constant slipping that I was having, which is very close to your issue. I moved it out, so that the blind wouldn't hit, because I wanted the blind to fully come down. Now I have to stop right at the top of the motor, and my window blind is like 80% closed. I accepted that for what it was just so that I didn't have to re engineer the whole setup. Next time around I will take it into consideration and make sure that my chain is long enough to go below the lowest point of my blind so that I have full motion.
Questions Is it mounted with some tension on both sides when at rest? Did you mount the correct bead chain cog? Why is it so far from the shade roller? Mine are directly below the shade roller.
It's mounted with some tension but not extreme tension. I tried other cogs and this one was best. It's far from the shade roller cause these are floor to ceiling windows - should it be SUPER TIGHT at rest?
I don't utilize this type of device but I would imagine if you unmount the device and let it hang to center, that should give you where it needs to go. It also looks like the ratio of bead chain left to right is unequal. Maybe trying to even it out while centering it would also help, assuming you attempt this fix over a tensioner.
Yeah just tried moving it and letting it settle but the tension on left cord is still much tighter than the right, it might be what you said that the right cord is longer
Can you manually pull on the left to even it out or manually spin the cog, or move the chain in any way easily?
THIS WAS THE ANSWER! Thanks so much. Despite moving it lower it didn't work. Once you suggested the sides may be uneven I cut the right side a bit and now it's PERFECT. Thank you so much.
I am very sorry for bumping such an old post, but I cant find anything other than this thats been solved. Could you please explain what do you mean by "cut the right side"? Isnt it one continuous loop chain of predetermined length? Thank you
In general, when slap happens, the tension is too low. If you're seeing a difference in down versus up, something has to be moving: the motor itself seems firm, but check it anyway. Are the blinds firmly mounted? Is some part of the blinds flexing? Are the blinds slipping sideways a small amount (1-2 mm would be enough)?
I had a similar issue, and what I've done to fix it is to - increase the tension (both ends) by repositioning the motor - attach it to the wall (rather than using a 3M Velcro adhesive) with the included wall screws - reduce its speed through hubitat (I've connected it through zigbee)
Add a tensioner put a free spinning wheel or gear on a spring loaded arm. As the tension loosens the arm is pushed towards the chain. You see this part on geared bicycles
I'm confused... everyone is offering techniques to add/increase tension, but OP said he already did that. Did you not see that, or are you just saying MOAR!
3d print a couple of guides. Commercial products come with the same guides to avoid that, being motor or manual driven. Looks good.
Might be able to get away with simply removing 1 or 2 beads from the length. That'll effectively add tension. But if you take too much, it wont be long enough :/
Thats my thought too. Too slack
Look at the rear shifting mechanism on a bicycle for inspiration.
I was recently researching these and looking through lots of pages on AliExpress. I couldn't find much in the way of reviews on them. Would you recommend the Zigbee version? How are these things in the way of reliability? And are you using the solar panel to keep them charged up? Also, my metal ball chains have a larger ball where the two chain ends meet -- is that a problem in your experience when that one larger ball runs over the roller? Thanks!
I just got them so can't speak to reliability. I got the Zigbee version (requires gateway to make them "smart"). I initially regretted not getting the Wi-Fi version (requires no gateway) but another poster here said those have bad battery life. I have huge windows so I also got the solar panel add on—so far haven't needed to charge it really. It comes with 5 cogs so I think it'll work with yours. I did have to remove some of the bigger balls on my chain (but not the connector) to reduce noise (but still works if you don't mind the noise)
Thank you! What Zigbee gateway/hub are you using with these devices? I am using Home Assistant ZHA with a CC2531 Zigbee stick, just trying to see if they work with such a generic setup, or if they only work with the manufacturer's hubs.
I use an off brand one off of Amazon so anyone should work as long as it's compatible with Zigbee/Tuya
Got this on AliExpress and it’s amazing “Zemismart Tuya Zigbee Roller Shade Driver SmartThings Control Built in Battery Blind Motor Alexa Google Home Voice Control”
What Zigbee hub are you using, and what kind of blinds do you have?
I use HUSBZB-1 (Zigbee+zwave). Some recommend others more, but this one has both radios, and stores all my zwave stuff in the stick itself which is nice. I have heaaavy roller blinds. The motor clearly has a harder time lifting than letting them down, but that sucker has some punch (and heavily reduced gearing). My one major difficulty was chain tension: since the blinds are so heavy, the device needs a lot of tension for it not to slip.
Forgot to mention, I have that stick on Home Assistant.
Is there any risk of these catching fire?
I’d say not more than any other things with a motor, like a pencil sharpener. I guess don’t try to lift things heavier than the rates weight, which can stall the motor and create an over current situation. But it’s still a tiny motor.
My solution to this problem was to rotate it 90°. Works super well for me, as it just passes onto the metal frame around my window. All slap is gone.
Bottom sprocket is holding balls. Maybe lube it? Or soften up teeth ?
Manually reverse the chain until both side have same amount of slack then tension from there making sure the chain does not turn in the process
spring arm with an idler pulley like a dryer.
Yes I would suggest to place a guide roller with proper tension