Somfy Rain Sensor Setup With the Ondeis WireFree RTS 9019617

Short answer: The Somfy rain sensor for RTS awnings, shutters and screens is the Ondeis WireFree RTS Rain & Sun Sensor (9019617). A solar panel charges its battery, so it needs no wiring. It pairs to any RTS exterior motor in two button presses, retracts an awning once rain crosses your threshold, and runs six modes. Sun modes on an awning need a Soliris transmitter.

Buyers search for this part as "somfy rain sensor" or "ondeis rain sensor", and most of them already run a Somfy RTS awning, screen or rolling shutter. The Somfy Ondeis WireFree RTS Rain & Sun Sensor (9019617) reads rainfall with an optical sensor and reads daylight with a separate sun cell, then sends RTS commands once either crosses the threshold you dial in. Two fit questions settle the purchase. Does the motor speak RTS? And which of the six modes matches the product on the wall?

Rain protection for RTS awnings, screens and shutters

An extended awning catches water. Fabric sags, pools form and the arms carry load they are not built to hold. The Ondeis watches for that rain and sends the awning in before the pooling starts. On a screen or a rolling shutter the logic flips: rain sends the product down to close the opening.

Somfy's instructions list awnings, retractable pergolas, exterior screens and rolling shutters as the jobs for this sensor. Rain commands take priority over sun commands. Somfy also adds a transmitter override, so weather protection stays in charge while someone presses buttons on a remote during a storm.

The sensor covers one RTS channel. One Ondeis protects one motor, or one group of motors programmed to respond together.

Ondeis WireFree RTS specs

These figures come from Somfy's product page for reference 9019617 and Somfy's Ondeis spec sheet and installation instructions.

Two rows drive most orders. The radio row tells you it pairs with RTS motors and receivers. The power row tells you an electrician has no part in the install, since the sun keeps the battery topped up and USB-C covers a dark spell.

Motor and receiver fit

Somfy states the Ondeis works with RTS exterior motors and with the Universal RTS Receiver. Common pairings are the Somfy 525A2 Altus RTS 120V Motor (1043423) on a cassette or lateral-arm awning and the Somfy Sunea 535A2 CMO RTS 120V Motor (1116321) on a larger retractable. Each RTS motor stores up to 12 transmitters, so the sensor takes one memory slot beside your remotes.

A hardwired 120V awning motor with no radio needs a receiver first. The Somfy Universal RTS Receiver (For 110V AC Motors) (1810627) adds RTS control to that motor, and Somfy lists it as a supported partner for the Ondeis. Wire the receiver, program a remote to it, then pair the sensor through that remote.

Zigbee and SDN motors use other control paths and sit outside this sensor's fit.

Choosing one of the six modes

Configuration switches under the hatch set the mode. Awning Rain is the factory default. Somfy splits the six modes by product type:

• Awning Rain: rain over threshold sends the awning in and locks it there until the rain stays below threshold for a set delay.
• Awning Sun: sun over threshold for 2 minutes sends the awning out, and low sun for 15 to 30 minutes brings it in.
• Awning Rain & Sun: both jobs on one awning, with rain winning any conflict.
• Shutter/Screen Rain: rain sends the product down, and remotes keep working.
• Shutter/Screen Rain & Sun: rain or strong sun sends it down, and fading sun lifts it after 15 minutes.
• Shutter/Screen Rain & Auto Up: rain sends it down, and 5 dry minutes send it back up.

Both awning sun modes need a Soliris transmitter on the same motor. Somfy names references 1810647 and 1811243 for that role, and the Somfy Telis Patio Multi Channel Soliris RTS Remote Control (1811243) is the one to order alongside the sensor. Shutter and screen modes run without one.

Pairing the Ondeis to an RTS motor

Somfy publishes the setup order in the Ondeis instructions. Confirm the motor limits are set and tested before you begin.

1. Charge the sensor. Ten minutes in direct sun gives an operating charge.
2. Check the motor direction from an RTS control: UP should send an awning in, and a screen or shutter up.
3. Set the mode with the configuration switches. Awning Rain is the default.
4. Set both threshold dials. They ship at 12 o'clock. Turn left for more sensitivity, right for less.
5. Press the programming button on an RTS transmitter already paired to the motor until the motor jogs.
6. Press the programming button on the Ondeis. The motor jogs again to confirm.
7. Press Demo briefly to test. The motor jogs and the LEDs alternate. Demo ends after 2 minutes, or press Demo again.

The PROG button sits in a different place on each remote model. Check your remote's instructions and the motor's install guide in our Somfy spec library. Our guide to pairing, adding and deleting Somfy RTS remotes covers the add-a-transmitter sequence in more depth.

To remove the sensor, repeat the same programming sequence. Somfy requires that deletion before you move the sensor to another site or switch between awning modes and shutter/screen modes.

Mounting the sensor and adding wind protection

The kit includes a mounting plate with two wood screws and an aluminum gutter bracket with two socket-head screws. Somfy gives three positions: vertical on a wall, on a pole with zip ties, or on a gutter. Two placement rules come from the instructions. Face the sensor the same direction as the coverings for sun control. Expose it to as much open sky as possible for rain.

The sensor stops working below 32 F. Standing water, snow and frost do not trigger it, and it gives an awning no protection against heavy snow, so keep the awning in through winter weather. Wipe it clean with a soft cloth, and skip solvents, abrasives and pressure washers.

The Ondeis guards against rain and sun. Wind needs its own sensor. The Somfy Eolis 3D WireFree RTS Wind Sensor White (1816081) rides on the awning's front bar and retracts it once shaking passes your setting. Both sensors take a memory slot on the same RTS motor. Our guide to Somfy wind, sun and rain sensors for awnings lays out how the three jobs split, and the Somfy sun, wind and rain sensors collection holds the full range side by side.

FAQ

Does the Ondeis rain sensor need wiring or batteries?

No wiring. A solar panel charges a built-in rechargeable battery, and a USB-C port charges it indoors. Somfy says 10 minutes of direct sun gives an operating charge and a full USB-C charge takes about 4 hours. The sensor talks to the motor over RTS radio at 433.42 MHz, so no hub or control cable runs to it.

Which motors work with the Somfy Ondeis WireFree RTS?

Somfy lists RTS exterior motors on awnings, rolling shutters, screens and retractable pergolas, plus the Universal RTS Receiver (1810627) for wired 120V motors. Altus RTS and Sunea CMO RTS awning motors are typical matches. Zigbee and SDN motors use other control paths, so the Ondeis does not pair with them.

Do I need a Soliris remote for the sun modes?

For awnings, yes. Somfy requires a Soliris transmitter, reference 1810647 or 1811243, for the Awning Sun and Awning Rain & Sun modes. Shutter and screen modes, including Rain & Sun, run without one. The Awning Rain default mode works with any RTS remote that already controls the motor, since that remote handles the pairing.

How sensitive is the Ondeis rain sensor?

A dial sets it. Fully counterclockwise, Somfy says it reacts to a few small drops or heavy fog running down the sensor. Fully clockwise, it waits for very heavy rain of about 1 to 2 inches per hour. The dial ships at 12 o'clock. Turn left for more sensitivity and right for less, then test the result in Demo mode.

Sources: Somfy product page for Ondeis WireFree RTS Rain & Sun Sensor reference 9019617 (somfysystems.com); Somfy Ondeis WireFree RTS Rain & Sun Sensor spec sheet D-0038 (7/2026); Somfy Ondeis Rain Sensor Instructions (2026.07.28).

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