A new standard in wireless motors

Cutting-edge technology from BREL

Within the awning world, a distinction has been made for years between wireless radio motors and wired motors. Of course, this refers to the control: in the first case, the motor is operated with a wireless hand or wall transmitter, in the second case with a conventional switch. But truly wireless it is not, because there is always a way to connect the power cable to the mains.

Thanks to cutting-edge technology, however, BREL can do it 100% wirelessly. At BREL Nederland BV, Erik Budding says they are working overtime to meet the demand for motors with an internal battery. "They are unstoppable," he says. "Our motors with built-in battery and included solar panel have been discovered by the market. In a short time, this motor has gone from niche product to absolute runner."

Overview of applications.

The cat has now been taken out of the tree

"The Dutch awning market is conservative and cautious," Budding answers when asked why it took a while for the market to pick up on this new concept. "First people had to get used to BREL as a full-fledged motor brand, but that station has been passed. Our engines are not inferior to engines of the big brands in terms of quality. Just a reliable product with good service. For indoor blinds, we have been supplying reliable battery motors to all major manufacturers and brands for six years."    

"When we look at battery technology for motors in outdoor blinds, you see that there is a lot of prejudice about it," Budding continues. "However, we have good customers who are always willing to try innovations first. Their reports about the battery motors with solar panels didn't lie: a trouble-free product with a range of new possibilities. We have seen sales start slowly and then gain momentum like a train. Meanwhile, we have to run hard to keep stock up!"

BREL wireless motor with built-in battery.

Ideal for screens and shutters

BREL motors for outdoor blinds with built-in battery and solar panel can be supplied in a 3 Nm (28 rpm) variant,

10 Nm (9 rpm) and 20 Nm (9 rpm), with adapters and attachments for both screens and shutters. "With these strengths, we cover almost all household sizes," said Reinoud Arts of BREL Netherlands. "Each screen or roller shutter then has its own solar panel with sufficient excess capacity to maintain the charge in the motor." Attention has also been paid to the mounting frame of the solar panel. "Of course a cabinet with a solar panel on it looks different, but the nice thing is that people experience solar panels as something positive," observes Arts. "The fact that it is no longer necessary to drill inside for the power cable is a decisive factor for most consumers in their choice. On top of that, in our motors the battery is integrated into the tube of the motor, so not external, as you see sometimes."

Kijoking about the possibilities created by the application of these 100% wireless motors, Erik Budding says two really stand out. "It is now possible to mount fully electrically operated shutters and screens on French garden doors. No more messing around with turnstiles or manually operated screens on the doors with pull-up tape whistling in the wind. Just neatly operated electrically, remotely."  υ

"Problems also often arise when products have to be mounted on aluminum or plastic window frames," Budding continues. "A 220 V cable must then be rerouted because drilling through the window frame is not possible because it creates an insulation problem and/or because this voids the warranty on the window frame. Screens and roller shutters with battery motors, however, can be used on this type of window frame without any problems."

"Another advantage of the motors with built-in battery is that the customer no longer has to stay at home for assembly. After all, the mechanics no longer have to be inside for the power connection and can simply deposit the remote control in the mailbox after assembly."

No more drilling a hole for a cable. (Image: Raemakers Rolluiken en Zonweringen.)

Keep on developing

And the next innovations are already in the pipeline Reinoud Arts explains. "We are now working on a battery-powered motor with a traction force of 40 Nm, but it needs more time because of the complexities involved in its development. However, once this version is there, new doors will open again for the specialist trade."

"We take pride in our innovative products and deliver our personal attention and service with them," continues Arts. "By the way, the comfort should not only be with the end user, but certainly also with our customers. A good example of this is the little flag with QR code around the antenna cable of the motors. Anyone who scans the code is immediately linked to our YouTube channel for instructions on adjusting the motor."

Furthermore, BREL has been working hard on a new Brel Home site, providing even better customer support. "Our wireless motors can of course be controlled via the BREL Home app, with the addition of the BREL Home hub. Thanks to our latest developments, we are future-proof and can vouch for the quality of the materials," Budding concludes.