How to Maintain Somfy Powered Batteries for Your Motorized Shades?
Somfy offers a complete ecosystem of high-quality WireFree motors and accessories that are used in today’s most popular interior motorized window covering applications. These products combine the advantages of motorization with the simple installation of a rechargeable battery solution.
WireFree products are designed to deliver high performance and long-lasting battery life, but it’s important to understand the differences in battery technology and know how to identify and maintain the appropriate designated accessories.
End users of Somfy products frequently contact us for details on maintenance of battery systems, so we thought it would be helpful to outline how to effectively maintain products in the home.
Our current range of WireFree motors consists of two categories:
- Built-in Rechargeable (Lithium-ion) Battery Motors
- External Battery Motors
Motors with Built-In Rechargeable (Lithium-ion) Battery
V1 & V2 Series Motor Head
Depending on the type of motor you have, you will use one of these battery chargers:
V1 Charger (9020672) / V2 Charger (9025166)
Each charger has a distinct connector that can ONLY be used with either V1 or V2 series motors.
Motors with External Mounted Battery
Somfy external battery motors include the Sonesse 28 (1241230), Roll Up 28 (1240292/1241162), RU 30 Junior (1003075), CL32 Cord Lift (1002422), TL25 Cord Lift (1003294), and the Tilt WireFree (1240276).
External battery motors are designed for use with the following battery types:
1. Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack (9021217) / Lithium-ion Battery Charger (9025166)
2. Rechargeable Battery Tube (9021217) / Plug-in AC Battery Charger (9018620)
Requires 10 NiMH batteries (9018621).
3. 12V DC Reloadable Battery Tube (9018685)
Requires 8 AA lithium batteries (9014834), NOT rechargeable.
Tips for proper, safe battery maintenance include:
1. Disconnect the batteries.
- The battery tube must be disconnected from the motorized shade prior to removing the batteries.
- Batteries must be removed from the battery tube before they are discarded.
- The battery type reference is indicated in the information above.
- The batteries must be inserted correctly: orientation with regards to polarity is indicated on the respective battery tube marking.
2. Remove batteries.
- Note that the proper and safe method for removing, inserting and replacing the batteries is described in the product guide/instructions.
- Exhausted batteries are to be removed from the appliance and safely disposed.
- Separate batteries from other types of waste and recycle them via your local collection facility.
3. Install new batteries.
CAUTION
- Non-rechargeable batteries must NOT be recharged. DO NOT recharge Lithium or Alkaline primary cells (disposable) as they are not designed to be recharged.
- In case of battery leakage, replace all the batteries.
- Different types of batteries, or new and used batteries, are not to be mixed.
- If the device is to be stored unused for a long period, the batteries should be removed.
- The battery connectors should not be modified; this eliminates the possibility of a short circuit.
- Not respecting above warnings may result in an unsafe use of the batteries.
Somfy created a complete eco-system of Wirefree products to offer a full range with high-quality products. Our products and accessories have been designed together in order to be able to use our motors at their highest performances. Following this approach, all our motors have dedicated accessories. To be able to enjoy our Somfy products with their best benefits and improves their lifespan, we kindly ask all our customers to only use our motors with their designated accessories. You can find this information in the compatibility matrices within the motor packaging.
Let’s all take the initiative to be environmentally responsible and recycle used batteries when they have reached their service life! Please refer to product instructions for more detailed information.