I recently found myself in a predicament when trying to automate my Venetian blinds. Unlike traditional blinds with a looped cord, mine use separate strings for tilting and un-tilting the slats, which posed a unique challenge. After some research, I discovered that most automated solutions are designed for looped cords, leaving me with limited options.
I explored several avenues, including MySmartBlinds, which seemed promising but would have cost as much as replacing the blinds themselves—an option I was hesitant to pursue. I also looked into wall-mounted devices that pull the cord, but these were either too expensive or not compatible with my setup.
Considering a DIY solution with an Arduino was tempting, but most online projects required 3D-printed parts, which I didn’t have access to. This left me feeling stuck until I stumbled upon a community thread discussing a workaround using a stepper motor and a custom bracket. The idea was to attach the motor to the wall and use it to pull the tilt string, effectively automating the process without needing a looped cord.
I decided to give it a try and ordered the necessary components. After some trial and error, I managed to set it up, and it worked perfectly! The stepper motor provides precise control, and the custom bracket ensures stability. While it wasn’t as straightforward as I hoped, the satisfaction of finding a solution made it all worthwhile.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has tackled a similar challenge or has suggestions for improvements. Let’s keep the ideas flowing and help each other create smarter homes!