Outdoor-rated panels/control solutions?

Hey,

I’m now thinking about adding a pergola outside to have myself a spot to spend outdoors while also not necessarily in the elements (sun, wind.)

This means there may be 4 motorized thingies to control (roof, sides) as well some lights to turn on/off. Powering and control is all pretty straightforward: VMB2BLE for blindey thingies (looks like 24VDC is widespread), VMB*RYLD for on/off thingies. Distance from my attic distribution box and the anticipated location of pergola is less than 10 meters, so that would work alright voltage drop wise. But what about actual control? There are a fair number of channels to control here, so something like an OLED panel would be ideal. Unfortunately OLED panels have an IP rating of 20 and are rated for indoor use, so they aren’t something I can use.

Did any of you ever need to control anything velbus outdoors? How did/would you approach it?

Use some type of automation interface (HA, OpenHAB etc) and then use your phone

1 Like

I mean yeah, that works for me. But I don’t live alone. Will still do that if there is no other option, but I would love to have options :slight_smile:

You can use any IP momentary buttons you like.

Or a dual action rocker, like they use for roller shutters. (Common and 2 x NO contacts)

Just use a VMB6PB-20 behind them.

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/outdoor-switches/cat3360010

https://armouredcable.net/sockets-and-switches/outdoor-switches-and-sockets.html

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BG-Electrical-WP14-01-Weatherproof-Retractive/dp/B006GAETYG/ref=asc_df_B006GAETYG

I’m running a VMBELO outside in pretty rough weather (although it almost never rains here and it has a rain cover anyway)

but to give you an idea of the weather

and so far it’s surviving… (not sure how long it will last)… another option is to run a normal switch (outdoor rated) with a Velbus input module

The only thing that ruined the setup during “winter” was that it was used as an ants nest at some point… which made all the lights go crazy… some powder and enabling a screensaver without direct control fixed that

2 Likes