Motorized roller shutter too slow: the causes
An unusually slow motorized roller shutter is often a warning sign of a particularly large failure. A real race against time is on and it is imperative to diagnose the failure in time in order to avoid the worst. Only after that, you can start repair work.
In general, the slowness problems of a motorized roller shutter are mainly due to the motor or the curtain. However, most often it is the motor of a roller shutter which is the cause of the failure. Anyway, you can easily get these different pieces from the comfort of your living room on an online store dedicated to sale of spare parts flaps such as the motor, hubs, straps or hourglass clips.
Likewise, in case you have trouble identifying the exact origin of the failure, you can contact the customer service of your e-commerce site who will be able to provide you with the help you need. By giving them the references of your motorized roller shutter and explaining your failure in detail, an expert will tell you its origin. If so, all you have to do is order the defective part which will be delivered to you as soon as possible.
Faulty engine: what to do?
Is the unusual slowness of your motorized shutter due to engine failure ? It is then very likely that the real problem is a lack of power of the latter. This is often the case when replacing your old apron with a new, heavier model. Under these conditions, the engine will not only struggle to lift it, but will wear out faster as well. It will then have to be replaced.
Choosing the right new engine
It is important to consider the weight of your apron when choosing the motor. Its thickness, the diameter of the winding tube as well as the pitch of the blades are also parameters to be considered before choose your engine kit.
In general, the weight of the apron is determined by its area and specific weight. The latter depends on the type of material used for its design. Most often, wood, aluminum, PVC and steel are the heaviest. The ideal power in Nm for the engine is easily identifiable using the charts offered by Somfy engine manufacturers. A simple rule to use is to halve the weight of the apron to get engine power. To properly lift a 30Kg apron for example, a motor with a power of 15Nm will be necessary.
When choosing your new engine kit, power is not the only parameter to consider. You will also have to choose between standard wired models and radio or wireless motors. With the wire, you control the different movements of your shutter by exercising light pressure on a wall switch. This option remains the least expensive, but is certainly not the most practical.
The palm of practicality will undoubtedly be awarded to the radio-controlled motor. It is certainly more expensive, but its many advantages make it possible to ignore its price. The radio motor is very easy to install since it does not require concealing an electric cable in the wall. In addition, it offers you the possibility of remotely control your different shutters using a remote control or radio wall transmitter.
Engine installation
Now that you have chosen and purchased your new engine, you can now move on to installing it. Don’t hesitate to call in a technician if you don’t feel up to the task. On the other hand, if you are resourceful, you can succeed in this operation by following the instructions provided by the installation manual.
In practice, you have to switch off the motor first. You can then lower the apron. This then allows you to open the shutter box in order to access the winding shaft. Fasteners are used to hold the latter to the apron. Remember to remove them first. After which, the highlighted motor axis can be removed from the trunk and the winding tube. This is the time toinsert the new motor.
The final step is to set the limit switches. It should not be neglected since it depends on the highest and lowest positions that the motorized roller shutter can take. This procedure can be mechanical, semi-automatic or electronic. In the latter case, no action is to be taken, because the engine is all alone able to learn the location of the start and end of the course. On the other hand, on a mechanical limit switch, it is necessary to adjust a screw on the motor. Finally, for semi-automatic, the setting will be done from the remote control.
Damaged shutter slides, what solution?
The multiple interlocking slats of the apron fit inside the slides. Due to lack of maintenance, rust and dust become embedded in them, which affects their operation. They cause friction when moving the slats of the deck. The movements of the shutter are then slowed down. Worse yet, this friction can cause the blades to break or derail, making it impossible to wind the apron properly in the trunk.
The solution is therefore to lubricate the slides when no apparent damage has already been caused. You can use a spray lubricant to accomplish this task. In this way, the sliding of the slats in the wings will be optimal. This should not be done only in the event of a problem. It is recommended toregularly maintain your shutter to prevent foreign bodies from disturbing its proper functioning. Remember to maintain it especially at each change of season.