After months of research and experimentation, I’m thrilled to share my success in integrating the Hunter Douglas PowerView Hub with my SmartThings ecosystem. This integration has completely transformed how I manage my home automation setup, especially when it comes to controlling my motorized shades. 
My Journey
I’ve always been a fan of Hunter Douglas shades, but their reliance on proprietary systems was a bit of a pain point for me. When I stumbled upon the PowerView Hub, I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between my existing SmartThings setup and my high-end window treatments. The challenge was to find a way to control these shades seamlessly without relying on Hunter Douglas’s RemoteConnect service, which I found cumbersome and restrictive.
The Solution
I came across an open-source project on GitHub that allowed the PowerView Hub to communicate directly with my SmartThings hub. The setup involved installing a custom app and device types, which I’ll admit was a bit intimidating at first. But after carefully following the installation guide and testing each feature, I was blown away by how smoothly everything worked!
Key Features
Here’s what I’ve been able to achieve:
- Discovery & Control: The integration automatically discovers all my shades and scenes configured in the PowerView system. I can now control them directly from the SmartThings app, Google Home, and Alexa.
- Scenes & Automations: My custom scenes are fully compatible with SmartThings automations. For example, I’ve set up a routine where my shades automatically adjust to let in more light during sunrise and close during sunset.
- Voice Control: Being able to voice-control my shades through Google Assistant and Alexa has been a game-changer. It’s the little things, like asking Alexa to “close the living room shades” while I’m cooking, that make this integration truly invaluable.
Tips for Others
If you’re considering this integration, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth setup:
- Firmware Check: Make sure your PowerView Hub is running the latest firmware before proceeding.
- Network Stability: Ensure both your SmartThings hub and PowerView Hub are on the same network for optimal communication.
- Backup First: Always back up your current configurations before making any changes.
Looking Ahead
This integration has opened up a world of possibilities for my home automation journey. I’m already brainstorming new ways to enhance my setup, such as integrating weather data to automatically adjust shades based on UV levels or rainfall.
If anyone has questions or needs help with their own PowerView Hub integration, feel free to reach out! I’d love to help others experience the same level of convenience and control that I’ve achieved. 