Programming and controls · Rolling Shutter Guide
Can I turn a switch-operated rolling shutter into a remote-controlled one?
Yes, two ways. An electrician can wire a radio receiver, such as Gaposa's QCZ09U control unit, between the power supply and the existing motor, which keeps the motor and adds Gaposa remotes. Or the switch motor is replaced with a radio motor, which brings that brand's remotes and remote limit setting. Either way, the mains connection is an electrician's job.
Key facts
- Roll-A-Shield's rule: Gaposa's QCZ09U receiver converts any brand of electric (switch) motor to remote control, but the converted shutter must use Gaposa remotes. Roll-A-Shield data
- The QCZ09U is a 120 V receiver in a weather-resistant IP55 box with an internal antenna, wired between the power supply and the motor cable, for motors up to 500 W.
- One QCZ09U remembers up to 31 remotes, and Gaposa rates its range at 20 m (about 65 ft) indoors and 200 m outdoors.
- A switch motor has a 4-wire cable (two direction wires, neutral, ground); a radio motor has a 3-wire cable (hot, neutral, ground). Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Switch-operated (wired) 120 V tubular motors on rolling shutters, Gaposa or Somfy, with or without manual override; Gaposa QCZ09U radio control unit and Gaposa remotes. Not OZRoll battery or solar motors, which are low-voltage.
How do I know my shutter is switch-operated?
A switch-operated shutter is run by a wired switch on the wall, usually a rocker that looks like a light switch, or an outdoor key switch, and it has no remote. The cable tells you for certain: a switch motor has 4 conductors (two direction wires, neutral and ground), and a radio motor has 3 (hot, neutral and ground). Do not open a junction box to look; call us with the shutter's details instead.
A wall control that looks like a light switch is not proof of a switch motor. Gaposa's on-wall remotes look like light switches but are battery-powered radio remotes.
What are the two ways to convert it?
You either add a radio receiver in front of the motor you have, or swap the motor for one with the radio built in.
| Add a radio receiver | Replace with a radio motor | |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | A receiver box is wired between the power supply and the motor cable; the motor stays | The tubular motor inside the box is replaced |
| Remotes | Gaposa remotes only, whatever brand the motor is | Remotes of the new motor's brand |
| Limits | Still set at the motor, as before: limit screws on mechanical-limit motors, the setting tool or head button on Gaposa Sense wired motors | Set from the remote on Gaposa radio motors |
| Work involved | Electrician wires the receiver into the motor's supply; the motor stays in the shutter | Box opened, curtain secured, motor swapped, then mains connection |
The receiver keeps a healthy motor in service. Replacing the motor makes more sense when the motor is failing anyway, or when you want what a newer motor offers, such as obstacle detection on Gaposa Sense motors, 10-50 Nm (model codes XQ5E wired and XQ5EZ radio), and the Gaposa Autonomo solar motors. The replacement procedure is on how to replace a rolling shutter motor, and what fits an older shutter is on can a new motor go in an old shutter?
What is Gaposa's radio receiver unit?
It is Gaposa's radio control unit for shutters and awnings, and it is how Roll-A-Shield converts a switch motor of any brand to remote control.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 120 V AC, 60 Hz |
| Radio frequency | 434.15 MHz |
| Range | 20 m (about 65 ft) indoors, 200 m (about 650 ft) outdoors |
| Enclosure | IP55 weather-resistant box with internal antenna |
| Size | 133 × 35 × 25 mm (about 5.2 × 1.4 × 1 in) |
| Motor it can drive | up to 500 W |
| Remotes it remembers | up to 31 |
| Wired inputs | one standard normally-open push-button; an optional Gaposa wind sensor (awnings) |
Standard 10-50 Nm shutter motors draw 0.7-2.1 A at 120 V AC, well inside the receiver's 500 W rating. A large 60-120 Nm motor draws 2.5-5.5 A, and the top of that range is more than a 500 W receiver can drive, so have us or your electrician check a large motor against the rating first.
Where does the receiver go?
It is wired between the power supply and the motor cable, so it sits on the motor's supply run. Gaposa's instructions set no particular distance from the motor, so the exact spot on your shutter is for us or your electrician to decide; the remotes you will use must be within its rated range.
Its connections must be made by an electrician working to the safety rules, following Gaposa's installation instructions for the box.
Stop: This is mains wiring. Follow the motor maker's instructions: terminate in a listed junction box; do not run the motor cable through the wall. Mains wiring by a licensed electrician. Following a published Roll-A-Shield guide does not void the warranty. Mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician. Older Roll-A-Shield install videos show the motor cable run through the wall to an outlet; that is an older practice and not what the motor makers' instructions call for.
Can I keep my wall switch?
Possibly, as a push-button. The receiver accepts one standard normally-open push-button as a wired control alongside the remotes. A shutter rocker switch with separate up and down wires is a different device, so whether your existing switch can be reused is for your electrician to decide. If you only want a remote that looks like a switch, a Gaposa on-wall remote needs no wiring at all.
How do I pair a remote to the receiver?
Once the electrician has wired and powered the receiver, pairing works like any Gaposa radio motor. You need one Gaposa remote.
- Press and hold the PROG-TX button on the back of the remote until the motor starts to move.
- Note which way the shutter moves, then release PROG-TX. The motor stops.
- Within 5 seconds, press UP if it moved up or DOWN if it moved down. The remote is paired.
- Press UP to check. If the shutter goes down, hold PROG-TX until the motor moves, then press STOP; the motor jogs and the direction is reversed.
- To add another remote, hold PROG-TX on the paired remote until the motor moves, release, and within 5 seconds press the matching button on the new remote.
Gaposa says to settle the direction before any limit work, or the limits must be set again. To erase every remote, hold PROG-TX and STOP together for at least 15 seconds: the motor gives a brief jog, then a long jog about 5 seconds later.
Limits stay with the motor. Gaposa's receiver instructions have no limit-setting step, so the shutter keeps stopping where the motor's own limits say. On a mechanical-limit motor those are the limit screws on the motor head; see adjusting the mechanical limit screws.
What can I add once it is on a remote?
The converted shutter takes the Gaposa remote range: handhelds, on-wall remotes and a key fob, covered on which Gaposa remote do I need? Phone apps and schedules are on phone and app control; ask us before adding a bridge to a converted shutter so we can confirm it suits your setup.
For a receiver, a radio motor, or help working out which you need, call (480) 921-0200.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a Somfy remote after adding a Gaposa receiver?
No. The QCZ09U is a Gaposa receiver and only learns Gaposa remotes, even when the motor behind it is a Somfy.
Do I still set the limits with the screws on the motor?
Gaposa's QCZ09U instructions cover pairing, direction and erasing remotes but have no limit-setting step, so the limits stay where the motor sets them: limit screws on a mechanical-limit motor, the setting tool or head button on a Gaposa Sense wired motor.
How many remotes can I pair to the receiver?
Up to 31, so handhelds, wall remotes and a key fob can all run the same shutter.
Do I need the receiver if I am replacing the motor anyway?
No. If the motor is being replaced, a radio motor already has the receiver built in, and on a Gaposa radio motor the limits are set from the remote.
Parts and next step
Need a part or a hand?
Replacement motors, remotes, straps, slats and hardware ship from our Tempe, Arizona factory. Phoenix-area owners can book a service visit; everywhere else, our technicians help by phone. Call (480) 921-0200; the factory answers technical questions for any rolling shutter, not only ours.