Module 1 of 5
Find the charging family
Why one Somfy charger will not fit every WireFree motor, and how to pick the right one from the motor name. After this module you will order the correct charger the first time.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Fix It · 101
How to Recharge a Somfy WireFree Motor and Pick the Right Charger
Somfy WireFree motors recharge in place, but each one belongs to a charging family and a charger from the wrong family will not fit. Learn to find the family, how long a charge takes, how often to plan for it, and when solar takes the job off your list.
You will be able to: Match a WireFree motor or pack to its Somfy charger and plan its recharge schedule.
Inside this course
5 modules, one idea at a time
- Find the charging familyWhy one Somfy charger will not fit every WireFree motor, and how to pick the right one from the motor name. After this module you will order the correct charger the first time.3 lessons · scenario check
- How long and how oftenReal charge times and recharge intervals from Somfy, so you can set expectations with a client. After this module you can tell an owner what a charge takes and when the next one comes.3 lessons · scenario check
- External battery motorsHow external-battery WireFree motors get their power and which battery options Somfy lists. After this module you can set up a pack or a battery tube correctly.3 lessons · scenario check
- Hard-to-reach ports and solarThe accessories that make charging easy on cassettes and deep headrails, and how solar removes the chore. After this module you can plan a WireFree install that rarely needs a ladder.3 lessons · scenario check
- The Irismo 45 is its own familyThe drapery motor that uses its own battery and charger. After this module you will never send a roller-shade charger to an Irismo job.2 lessons · scenario check
- Final quiz10 real job scenarios, one per screen, each with a hint if you need it. Score 80% to pass and get your certificate.
Find the charging family
Three charging families
Somfy WireFree motors charge through a V2 head, a USB-C port or, on the Irismo 45, a dedicated battery charger. A charger from one family does not serve another.
ExampleA homeowner with a Sonesse ULTRA 30 WireFree and a Sonesse 40 WireFree Zigbee USB-C needs two different chargers.
Find the charging family
The V2 head charger
The Lithium-ion Charger (V2 Head) 9025166 charges V2 Li-ion motors such as the Sonesse 28 and Sonesse ULTRA 30 WireFree, and it charges the external pack 9021217.
On the jobCharge in place. The motor or pack recharges on its brackets, so the shade never comes down.
Find the charging family
The USB-C fast charger
The USB-C Li-ion Fast Charger 9028923 serves USB-C motors such as the Sonesse 40 WireFree Zigbee (USB-C) and the Glydea ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee.
Watch forLook at the port on the motor before you order. A USB-C port means the USB-C charger.
Check yourself
A client has a Sonesse 40 WireFree Zigbee (USB-C) and asks for "the Somfy charger". Which one do you send?
Hint: The words in brackets in the motor name tell you.
The USB-C Li-ion Fast Charger 9028923. The V2 head charger 9025166 is for V2 motors and the 9021217 pack.
Module 2 of 5
How long and how often
Real charge times and recharge intervals from Somfy, so you can set expectations with a client. After this module you can tell an owner what a charge takes and when the next one comes.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
How long and how often
Charge times differ by motor
Somfy lists 4.5 hours for the Sonesse 28 and ULTRA 30 RTS, 4 hours for the Sonesse 40 Zigbee USB-C and 8 hours for the Sonesse 40 RTS Li-ion.
On the jobStart a Sonesse 40 RTS charge before lunch, not at the end of the visit.
How long and how often
About once a year
Somfy rates most WireFree motors at about one recharge a year. The figure assumes an average shade size and one cycle a day.
Watch forA heavy shade that runs four times a day will need charging sooner. Tell the owner up front.
How long and how often
Read the motor rating
Somfy lists one recharge per year on a reference blind for the Sonesse 40 WireFree Zigbee (USB-C). The Roll Up 24 is rated at two recharges a year.
ExampleA guest room shade on one daily cycle can run about a year between charges.
Check yourself
An owner says the bedroom shade runs eight times a day and needed a charge after four months. Is the motor faulty?
Hint: What usage does the Somfy rating assume?
Not necessarily. Somfy rates the yearly interval on an average shade at one cycle a day, so heavy use shortens it.
Module 3 of 5
External battery motors
How external-battery WireFree motors get their power and which battery options Somfy lists. After this module you can set up a pack or a battery tube correctly.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
External battery motors
The lead takes a pack or a tube
External-battery motors carry no cell in the tube. They run from the Li-ion pack 9021217 or the AA battery tube 9018685 on the end of a lead.
ExampleA Cord Lift CL32 RTS (External Battery) runs from whichever pack or tube sits on its lead.
External battery motors
The rechargeable pack
The Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack 9021217 is a 12 V pack that recharges with the 9025166 charger, so the owner stops buying cells.
On the jobCharge a pack before you program the motor. A flat pack makes the motor look dead.
External battery motors
The AA battery tube
The 12V DC Reloadable Battery Tube 9018685 takes AA lithium cells only. Somfy does not approve alkaline or rechargeable AA cells in it.
Watch forA tube loaded with alkaline cells is the wrong setup. Swap them for AA lithium.
Check yourself
A customer loaded the 9018685 battery tube with rechargeable AA cells. What do you tell them?
Hint: Somfy approves one kind of AA cell for the tube.
Use AA lithium cells only. For a rechargeable option, move to the 9021217 pack and the 9025166 charger.
Module 4 of 5
Hard-to-reach ports and solar
The accessories that make charging easy on cassettes and deep headrails, and how solar removes the chore. After this module you can plan a WireFree install that rarely needs a ladder.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Hard-to-reach ports and solar
Magnetic adaptors by family
The Magnetic Adaptor 9028562 fits V2 Li-ion motors. The USB-C Magnetic Adaptor 9028564 fits USB-C products. They are not interchangeable.
On the jobFit the adaptor at install. The charging lead then snaps on without hunting for the port.
Hard-to-reach ports and solar
Solar keeps it topped up
Somfy lists the Li-ion Solar Panel Kit 9027294 for V2 Li-ion motors and the 9021217 pack, and the panel 9029114 for USB-C Li-ion motors.
ExampleA sunny window with a panel on the glass keeps the motor charged with no visits.
Hard-to-reach ports and solar
What the solar kit includes
Somfy lists the 9027294 kit with the solar panel, four panel mounting brackets and glass mount adhesive.
Watch forA north-facing window gathers less light. Expect fewer charges, not zero.
Check yourself
A twelve-shade WireFree job sits behind south-facing glass and the owner hates ladders. What do you add?
Hint: Match the solar part to the charging family.
A Somfy solar kit on each shade: 9027294 for V2 Li-ion motors or the 9021217 pack, 9029114 for USB-C motors.
Module 5 of 5
The Irismo 45 is its own family
The drapery motor that uses its own battery and charger. After this module you will never send a roller-shade charger to an Irismo job.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
The Irismo 45 is its own family
A dedicated charger
Somfy names the Battery Charger for Irismo 45 WireFree RTS (1003080) for this motor. The roller-shade chargers 9025166 and 9028923 do not list it.
Watch forA Sonesse charger in the van is no help on an Irismo service call. Pack the 1003080.
The Irismo 45 is its own family
A dedicated battery
The Replacement 25.9V Rechargeable Li-ion Battery 9026476 fits the Irismo 45 WireFree RTS (1002353). Somfy lists it for that motor only.
On the jobKeep a charged spare battery for a client with several Irismo tracks. Swap it, then charge the old one.
Check yourself
A hotel calls about an Irismo 45 drapery motor that will not move and asks for a charger. Which part?
Hint: This motor has its own family.
The Battery Charger for Irismo 45 WireFree RTS, 1003080.
Final quiz
10 questions. Score 80% to pass.
Each question is a real job scenario, one per screen. Stuck? Tap the hint. You see the right answer and why right after you choose. Pass and you get a printable certificate, plus a 10% code for your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.
Question 1 of 10
On the job: A homeowner has a Sonesse ULTRA 30 WireFree RTS and lost the charger.
Which charger do you send?
Hint: ULTRA 30 is a V2 head motor.
The V2 head charger 9025166 serves the Sonesse ULTRA 30 WireFree.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: A Glydea ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee drapery motor needs a charge.
Which charger fits?
Hint: Look for the USB-C family.
Somfy lists the USB-C fast charger 9028923 for the Glydea ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: You start charging a Sonesse 40 RTS Li-ion motor on a service visit.
How long does Somfy list for a full charge?
Hint: This one is the longest in the databook table.
Somfy lists 8 hours for the Sonesse 40 RTS Li-ion.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: An owner asks how often a typical WireFree shade needs charging.
What does Somfy rate for most WireFree motors?
Hint: Somfy states the usage it assumes.
Most WireFree motors are rated at about one recharge a year under those conditions.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: A shade runs six times a day and needed charging after a few months.
What is the likely reason?
Hint: Compare the use with the rating assumption.
The yearly rating assumes one cycle a day.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: A Cord Lift CL32 RTS (External Battery) arrives with no power source.
What can power it?
Hint: External battery motors take power through a lead.
Somfy lists the 9021217 pack and the 9018685 tube for external-battery motors.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A customer wants to reuse rechargeable NiMH AA cells in the 9018685 tube.
What do you tell them?
Hint: Somfy approves one cell type.
Somfy approves AA lithium cells only for the tube.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: An installer orders the USB-C Magnetic Adaptor for a Sonesse 28 WireFree (V2).
What is wrong?
Hint: Adaptors follow the charging family.
V2 Li-ion motors take 9028562. The USB-C adaptor 9028564 is for USB-C products.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: A V2 Li-ion shade sits behind sunny glass and the owner wants no charging visits.
Which part do you add?
Hint: Match solar to the charging family.
Somfy lists the 9027294 kit for V2 Li-ion motors and the 9021217 pack.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: An Irismo 45 drapery motor is flat and the tech packed a 9025166 charger.
What should the tech have brought?
Hint: The Irismo 45 is its own family.
Somfy names charger 1003080 for the Irismo 45 WireFree RTS.
Almost done
Where should we send your certificate?
Your score shows on the next screen. The certificate goes to your inbox so you can download it again later.
Parts used in this course
Genuine Somfy parts, 5-year warranty
Somfy Sonesse Ultra 30 WireFree Plug-in Charger (9025166)
Somfy USB-C Li-ion Fast Charger with Cable (9028923)
Somfy Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack (9021217)
Somfy 12V DC WireFree V2 Solar Pack (9027294)
Somfy Reloadable 12V DC-Volt Battery Wand (9018685)
Somfy Irismo 45 RTS Motor Battery Charger (1003080)Parts used in this course
