Shade Motor Technology
Why Choose Motorized Shades from Insolroll?
Insolroll utilizes a wide selection of tubular motors that are mounted and hidden from view inside the shade roller tube. Tubular motors were invented in 1959 and have become the standard motorized operating systems for window treatments, awnings, rolling shutters, and projection screens throughout the world.
Insolroll offers motor options for every application
- 110 V AC motors
- 24 V DC motors
- Somfy battery motors
- Radio control and digital control
Quiet motorization technology
- Insolroll Quiet Motors (IQM) for interior and exterior use, with the lifting capacity necessary for larger, heavier shades
- Insolroll Quiet Battery Motors (BAT-L series and BAT-X) for interior use with no need for wiring
- Insolroll Ultra Quiet Motors (IUQ) virtually eliminate motor and mechanical noise
- Insolroll’s Ultra Quiet spring-loaded idler further reduces mechanical noise
UL-Listed complete motorized shade system
Most shades in the industry are made up of UL-Recognized components, and other parts that are not tested with the shade. “UL-Listed” status is the Underwriters’ Laboratories most rigorous safety standard and testing program. To earn the UL-Listed mark, Insolroll upgraded a number of our motors and shade components to meet the higher standard.
- All parts of the shade system have been tested together to meet the standard
- UL-Listed mark shows inspectors and homeowners at a glance that all parts of the shade together meet the “Listed” standard
Original Somfy AC or DC hard-wired directional motors provide durability and reliability
The original tubular motor design is still the industry standard today due to reliability and cost advantages. These motors were designed with a brake system to prevent shades from slipping, internal limit switches for setting the upper limit of shades when raised and lower limit when shades are down, and thermal overload system to prevent the motor from failing if it gets too hot.
Hard-wired motors require wired switch legs, relays to isolate each motor and 3-position switches.
Recommended for group control applications in new construction projects.
Somfy Quiet and Ultra Quiet Hard-wired Motors
110 V AC Quiet Motors
- IQM-ACR: Radio Control
- IQM-ACR2: Radio Control
- IQM-AC: Radio Control
- IQM-AC2: Radio Control
- IQM-AC: Radio Control
- IQM-485-AC: Digital Control
110 V AC Ultra Quiet Motors
- IUQ-AC: Radio Control
- IUQ-ACR: Radio Control
- IUQ-485-AC: Digital Control
24 V DC Quiet Motors
- IQM-DCR: Radio Control
- IQM-485-DC: Digital Control
24 V DC Ultra Quiet Motors
- IUQ-DCR: Radio Control
- IUQ-485-DC: Digital Control
Insolroll’s Best in Class Battery-powered Motorized Shade Systems
No cords. No electrician. No wiring. Just smart wire-free shades to fit your lifestyle or work environment.
Why battery motors?
- Enjoy motorized shades without additional wiring needed
- Perfect for existing homes and businesses
- Solution for narrower windows and wider windows
- Easy control via smart phone, tablet, handheld remote control, wireless wall switch or integrated with a smart-home automation system
Engineered for quiet performance and durability, Insolroll’s 4 battery motors by Somfy provide solutions for every application. Somfy has been the world leader in shade motorization for almost 50 years, and offers versatile solutions for new or retrofit applications.
Somfy embedded Li-ion battery motor systems
Quiet RTS motors with onboard rechargeable Li-ion battery
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery built into the shade roller
- No battery wand to conceal
- Full charge lasts approximately one year*
- Quiet hardware to further reduce mechanical noise
- Available with Exposed Roller, Fascia, Cassette, or 6″ Valance
- Compatible with all Somfy RTS controls
BAT-L2-R Somfy Quiet 12 V Embedded Li-ion Battery Radio Motor
- Operates at approximately 44 decibels or less, about the same sound level as the hum of a refrigerator
- 2.0 Newton Meter motor for greater lifting capacity
- Smaller 2″ roller for lower visual impact at the top of the window
- Sizes up to 120″ wide or 96″ high
BAT-L1-R Somfy Quiet 12 V Embedded Li-ion Battery Radio Motor
- Operates at approximately 49 decibels or less, about the same sound level as moderate rain
- Quiet hardware to further reduce mechanical noise
- 1.1 Newton Meter motor
- Narrower widths available- from 24 ⅛”
- Smaller 1″ roller for lower visual impact at the top of the window
- Sizes up to 96″ wide x 84″ high
*based on once-daily up-down, down-up cycle
Insolroll external battery motor systems
- 3 external battery wand/pack options including Somfy Wirefree™ Solar Pack Option (see below for details)
- Available with Exposed Roller, Fascia, Cassette, or 6″ Valance
- Compatible with all Somfy RTS controls
BAT-X1-R Somfy Quiet 12 V External Battery Radio Motor
- Operates at approximately 49 decibels or less, about the same sound level as moderate rain
- 1.1 Newton Meter motor
- Sizes up to 96″ wide x 84″ high
BAT-R Somfy 12 V External Battery Radio Motor
Sizes up to 96″ wide or 84″ high
- 1.1 Newton Meter motor
- Sizes up to 96″ wide x 84″ high
Battery motor external wands and accessories
Insolroll offers 2 external power source options for BAT-R and BAT-X1 battery motors.
External re-loadable battery wand
- Uses 8 replaceable AA lithium batteries
External Li-ion battery wand
- Self-contained rechargeable Li-ion battery
Somfy Wirefree™ Solar Pack
Green alternative for powering wirefree motorized shades, reducing battery replacement and disposal
- Use for South-, East-, or West-facing windows
- Not recommended for Northern exposuresSolar panel for continuous charging
- Suitable for most window types, including single pane, double pane, and energy-saving glass
- Includes 22″ external NiMH battery wand
How does Somfy’s solar-powered rechargeable system work?
The solar (photovoltaic panel is simply mounted on the inside of the window opening, and converts the sun’s light into electrical energy. The harnessed electrical energy is stored within a specialized Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-H) battery which powers Insolroll BAT-R motorized window shades. This system is maintenance-free, environmentally friendly alternative to disposable lithium batteries. If your application does not get enough sunlight to fully charge the batteries, they can be recharged via a plug-in charger if needed.
Quiet battery-powered shade control options
Compatible with all Somfy RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) Control, with control options including:
- Smartphone and tablet app
- Handheld remote control
- Voice control with compatible systems including Amazon Alexa®
- Integration with 3rd party home automation systems
Personalized shade control
- Set operation schedules at home or away from home
- Set shade control “scenes” for specific activities or times of day
- Integrate with 3rd party home automation systems
- Operate shades when away from home
Radio motor switching technology
Recent advances in motor and switching technology have led to the development of motors with built-in switching technology.
Radio motors are the most popular option due the ease of wiring a motorized project and the array of transmitters, switches, timers, and automatic controls available.
Intelligent motors with advanced control capability
- Allows for programming flexibility
- Seamless integration with 3rd party lighting and building automation controls
- 2-way feedback to advanced control systems
- Connected by a bus-line communication system.