Automated Mini Blinds
By Dan-O

Here's how the project started. First I'll cover the hardware/software end of the project. I use HomeSeer for my automation control so setting up the controls was easy. The heart of the system is a motor salvaged from a cordless drill. Then, I have an appliance module set to C7. I turn the appliance module on with a slim-line wall switch, which powers the 12v power supply.

The completed board naked and unfinished.

The extra X-10 step of the appliance module is the little extra security I wanted to have so that the blinds won't open on their own from a stray X-10 command. Everybody with X-10 knows once in a while you get a stray command, so I eliminated that by having a "security lock" so to speak, by using the appliance module.

A close up of the motor and power transformer.

How does it work?-->