I got two of the above for rod curtains. I could get both to show in the switchbot integration and each show five entities and accurate battery info. Only one will move.
I got the switchbot app and they both worked. They are not great, I have calibrated them manually three times after five failed attempts at smart calibration where they just kept driving against the fully open position.
Could any one advise on thos product? I just want to operate them remotely. Without cloud or addotional apps.
6 Comments
partial_accumen@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 10d
We have one of these and it works reasonably well for us with the cloud app/Alexa. When you say "small calibrations" how small are you talking?
Squizzy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 10d
I don't think I said small calibration, smart calibration possibly?
partial_accumen@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 9d
Apologies, I misread that.
So the problem you're having is when you give the OPEN command it continues to try to open far past the point where the curtain is open and it is still running trying to force it open more (which it can't of course)?
Squizzy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 9d
Yeah exactly. The units are struggling and dont seem to recognise start and end points. Very well, pushing well beyond reasonable curtain length and against a complete stop.
partial_accumen@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 9d
So the best I can figure, these use a single fixed reference point (the magnet you put on the curtain rod) against the time it takes to travel from the reference point to the user set point of "fully closed curtain".
To troubleshoot yours I'd recommend first removing the curtain. Verify the magnet is positioned where the bot would be when the curtain is fully closed, then set the open position in the app by running it back to the "open" bot position (so it can record the time it takes to travel). Once set up, set it to open, then closed, then open, etc and verify it keeps both its positions. If the bot works in this config, then add the curtain back. If it stops working reliably then the introduction of the curtain is the issue.
Could the curtain be too heavy? Is the curtain rail not providing good grip for the robot? etc.
Squizzy@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 8d
I dont have any magnet, they seem to calibrate based on distance set and then rpeat that distance in either direction to open or close.
The curtains are short and light, they are cheap and grommet style. Not any fancy fabric weight. Think kids room cartoon animal curtains.
Tbh I am giving up on them they are clunky and not a great addition. I can't be sure they will either open or close. And they are louder than I thought