Programming and controls · Rolling Shutter Guide
Can I run two or more rolling shutters from one switch, remote or power feed?
From one remote, yes: pair several radio motors to one channel, or use a multi-channel remote's all-channels or group setting. From one power feed, yes for radio motors, wired by an electrician to the motor maker's junction-box rule. From one ordinary wall switch, generally no: Somfy's wired motors and Gaposa's mechanical-limit motors allow only one motor per switch.
Key facts
- Every Roll-A-Shield shutter has its own box and its own motor; two shutters cannot share one motor, but two side-by-side motorized shutters can share one power source. Roll-A-Shield data
- Somfy: never wire two or more LT (wired) motors to one single-pole switch, which makes them malfunction; only RTS and ILT motors can be wired in parallel.
- Gaposa: do not connect more than one mechanical-limit motor to a single switch; its electronic Sense motors are listed as able to run several in parallel.
- Roll-A-Shield never daisy-chains switch-operated (non-radio) motors, because daisy-chained switch motors can damage each other. Roll-A-Shield data
- Shutter motors draw 0.7-5.5 A at 120 V AC, depending on motor size, and Roll-A-Shield's install guides say they can be wired into existing circuits. Roll-A-Shield data
Applies to: Groups of motorized rolling shutters with Gaposa or Somfy radio (RTS) motors, and with Gaposa or Somfy switch-operated (wired) motors; Gaposa and Somfy multi-channel remotes and on-wall remotes. Not solar or OZRoll battery motors, which have no house wiring.
Can one remote run several shutters?
Yes, on radio motors, and it is the usual way to run a group of shutters together. There are three ways to set it up.
| Method | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| One channel, several motors | Pair the same channel to each motor; one press moves them all. Each Gaposa channel can control one motor or a group of motors. | A pair of windows that always open together |
| A multi-channel remote's "all" setting | Each shutter keeps its own channel, and the remote also sends to all channels at once. Gaposa 5-channel and Somfy 4-channel remotes do this. | A room or one side of the house |
| Groups on a 16-channel remote | The Gaposa 16-channel remote stores 8 custom groups in addition to all channels. | Whole-house control |
Shutters can be on several remotes at once, so a group remote does not stop each shutter having its own remote or wall remote as well. A phone app adds rooms and groups on top; see phone and app control.
How do I put a second shutter on the same channel?
Treat the shared channel as a new remote for each extra shutter. You need the remote that already runs that shutter on its own.
- Gaposa: on the remote already paired to the second shutter, hold the left back (SYNC) button until the motor moves, release, then within 5 seconds, on the shared remote with the shared channel selected, press the button that matches the direction it moved.
- Somfy: on the remote already paired to the second shutter, press its PROG button until the shutter jogs, then select the shared channel on the other remote and press its PROG button; the shutter jogs again.
On a multi-channel remote, select only the one channel you are working on. Programming commands reach every shutter whose channel is selected, so with several selected, a limit change goes to all of them. Full steps are on adding a Gaposa remote and adding a Somfy remote.
Can one wall switch run two shutters?
Not with an ordinary switch and switch-operated (wired) motors. Somfy says never to wire two or more of its LT wired motors to one single-pole switch, because the motors will malfunction; only its RTS and ILT motors can be wired in parallel. Gaposa's instructions for its mechanical-limit motors say not to connect more than one tubular motor to a single switch.
Gaposa's catalog lists its electronic Sense wired motors as able to run several in parallel. Whether that applies to your shutters depends on the exact motor model on the label, so ask us before anyone plans a shared switch around it.
The practical answers for one-point control of wired shutters are:
- One switch per shutter, mounted side by side.
- Radio control instead: radio motors, or a radio receiver added ahead of each switch motor, then one multi-channel remote or on-wall remote for the group. See turning a switch-operated shutter into a remote-controlled one.
Can several shutters share one power feed?
Radio motors can. Side-by-side motorized shutters can share a power source while each keeps its own motor; the run from one box to the next is mains wiring, made by a licensed electrician under the motor maker's junction-box rule.
Switch-operated motors are different: Roll-A-Shield never daisy-chains switch (non-radio) motors, because daisy-chained switch motors can damage each other. Each one gets its own switch and its own wiring.
On load, shutter motors draw 0.7-5.5 A at 120 V AC, depending on motor size, and Roll-A-Shield's install guides say they can be wired into existing circuits without new ones. How many share one circuit on a large job is your electrician's decision.
Stop: Sharing a power feed is mains wiring and is not a homeowner job. 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. Some Roll-A-Shield install videos show the motor cable run through the wall to an outlet; follow the motor maker's junction-box rule instead. Following a published Roll-A-Shield guide does not void the warranty. Mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician.
What changes once shutters share a feed?
Two things. First, a power cut, a tripped breaker or a power-cycle reset hits every motor on that feed together. A Gaposa motor that has just been powered up accepts a reset from any unpaired Gaposa remote for a few seconds, so every motor on the feed becomes eligible at once. Reset with a paired remote instead, as on resetting a Gaposa motor.
Second, the shutters still run independently by radio unless you pair them to a shared channel. Sharing power does not group them; sharing a channel does.
Can two shutters share one motor or one box?
No. Each Roll-A-Shield shutter is built as a single unit, so a wide opening split into two shutters gets two boxes and two motors. Splitting an opening is covered on covering a very wide opening.
To plan controls for a group of shutters, call (480) 921-0200.
Frequently asked questions
Can two shutters share one motor or one box?
No. Each shutter is built as a single unit with its own box and motor. What they can share is a power feed and a remote.
How many shutters can one Gaposa remote run?
A 5-channel remote runs five channels plus all of them together, and the 16-channel runs sixteen plus 8 custom groups. Each channel can drive one motor or a group of motors.
How many shutter motors can share one household circuit?
There is no single number we publish. Each motor draws 0.7-5.5 A depending on motor size: a few standard motors add little load, but large motors and whole-house jobs should be planned by your electrician.
If my shutters share a power feed, does resetting one reset them all?
A reset by power cut can. A Gaposa motor that has just been powered up will accept a reset for a few seconds, so every motor on that feed becomes eligible at once. Use a paired remote to reset instead, or ask us first.
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.