Featured image of post Make Your Blinds Smart with Shelly – No Cloud, Local, and Affordable!

Make Your Blinds Smart with Shelly – No Cloud, Local, and Affordable!

Want to control your blinds smartly, without cloud dependency and still affordable? I'll show you how to make your roller shutters smart with Shelly modules – completely local!

The Problem: Electric Roller Shutters, But Not Smart

You have electric roller shutters or blinds, but still have to operate them directly at the wall switch? That’s a real shame, because an electric motor is already halfway there to a smart blind!

With a Shelly module, you can make your existing roller shutters smart and integrate them into your smart home – completely local, without any cloud dependency and surprisingly affordable.

In the new video I show you the complete implementation!

YouTube Video
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Why Shelly for Blinds?

Completely Local

  • No cloud connection required
  • Works even during internet outages
  • Your data stays with you

Affordable and Flexible

  • Shelly Plus 2PM: ~€20–25
  • Older Shelly 2.5: Even cheaper
  • Fits in any in-wall junction box

Safe Installation

  • Built-in safety functions
  • Prevents simultaneous activation of both directions
  • Calibration for precise positioning

Choosing the Right Hardware

In the video I show various Shelly models:

Note: Links marked with affiliate link are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!

Joachim

Recommendation: Shelly Plus 2PM

  • Current successor model
  • Lowest price on the market
  • Perfect for blinds and roller shutters
  • Shelly Plus 2PM on Amazon (paid link) ← most affordable option

Alternative: Shelly 2 Gen3

Latest Generation: Shelly 2 Gen4

You can safely save money and stick with the Plus devices!

Wiring: What You Need to Watch Out For

Correct wiring is crucial! In the video I explain step by step:

Power Supply:

  • Neutral wire (N) and live wire (L) from the in-wall junction box
  • Connected to the corresponding terminals of the Shelly

Switch Connection:

  • Route the live wire through to the wall switch
  • “Up” switch and “Down” switch to S1 and S2
  • Order doesn’t matter – can be changed in software later

Motor Connection:

  • Outputs O1 and O2 to the roller shutter motor
  • O1: Move up
  • O2: Move down
  • Again: order can be changed later in software

⚠️ Important: Always follow 230V electrical safety rules!

Software Setup: Safety First

1. Secure Initial Setup

In the video I show two approaches:

Recommended: Shelly App

  • ✅ Uses Bluetooth (encrypted)
  • ✅ More secure than hotspot
  • ✅ Easy to use

Alternative: Hotspot

  • ⚠️ Unencrypted
  • ⚠️ Wi-Fi password can be intercepted
  • ✅ Works without the app

2. Disable the Cloud

Important for local use:

  • Set Cloud Settings to “Disabled”
  • Set Server to “Disconnected”
  • Why? Complete local control

3. Device Profile: The Critical Setting

You absolutely must configure this:

Settings → Device Profile → “Cover”

Why is this so important?

  • Prevents simultaneous activation of both outputs
  • Without this setting: Motor damage is possible!
  • Shelly then “knows” it’s controlling a roller shutter

Calibration and Fine-Tuning

Check Directions

After the initial setup:

  1. Test the buttons on the web interface
  2. Wrong direction? → Enable Reverse Directions
  3. Check wall switch → Enable Swap Inputs if needed

Calibration Run

Enables precise positioning:

What happens:

  • Roller shutter moves completely down
  • Then completely up
  • Stops at various intermediate positions
  • Result: Any position can be precisely controlled

In the video you can see the entire process live!

Home Assistant Integration

Automatic Discovery

It’s this easy:

  1. Install the Shelly Integration in Home Assistant
  2. New devices are discovered automatically
  3. One click → Integration complete

Dashboard and Automations

After integration:

  • ✅ Display roller shutters on the dashboard
  • ✅ Create automations:
    • Automatic opening/closing
    • Sun protection during intense sunlight
    • Time-based schedules

Tip: I’ll show more blind automations in Home Assistant in an upcoming video!

Practical Benefits in Daily Life

Convenience

  • App control from anywhere in the home
  • Automation based on time of day
  • Scenes for different situations

Security

  • Presence simulation while on vacation
  • Automatic closing during storms
  • Integration into a security system

Energy Efficiency

  • Intelligent sun protection reduces cooling costs
  • Heat retention in winter by closing at the right time
  • Light optimization through precise positioning

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Investment:

  • Shelly Plus 2PM: ~€20–25
  • Installation: DIY-friendly with basic knowledge
  • Ongoing costs: None (local solution)

Alternative: Ready-Made Smart Blinds

  • Cost: €200–500+ per roller shutter
  • Cloud dependency: Usually required
  • Flexibility: Tied to the manufacturer

Conclusion: The Shelly solution is significantly cheaper and more flexible!

Avoiding Common Mistakes

❌ Forgetting the Device Profile

Problem: Motor can be damaged Solution: Always set it to “Cover”

❌ Wrong Wiring

Problem: Roller shutters move in the wrong direction Solution: Correction possible in software

❌ Leaving the Cloud Enabled

Problem: Dependency on manufacturer servers Solution: Deliberately disable the cloud

❌ Skipping Calibration

Problem: No precise positioning Solution: Run the calibration sequence

The Video Shows Everything Live

In the video you’ll see:

  • Hardware comparison of various Shelly models
  • Wiring diagram explained in detail
  • Software setup step by step
  • Home Assistant integration live
  • Calibration in action
  • Practical tips from my own installation

What’s Next: Even More Smart Home

More Shelly Use Cases:

  • Heating control (dedicated video available)
  • Light control with dimming
  • Garage door automation

Home Assistant Blind Features:

  • Complex automations (upcoming video)
  • Time-based schedules
  • Weather-dependent control

Share Your Experience

Let me know in the comments:

  • How do you currently control your roller shutters?
  • Do you already have experience with Shelly?
  • What automation ideas do you have?

Make sure to watch the video – it shows every step live and gives you all the important details for a safe installation!

Further Reading

Do you already have a dynamic electricity tariff? Tibber is one of the first providers to offer such a tariff in Germany. I’ve been a customer since October 2022, and it’s been a thoroughly positive experience. Tibber offers a clearly structured, modern app where you always have full oversight of your electricity tariff and costs. Pricing is very transparent: Tibber only charges what electricity actually costs on the exchange at any given moment (plus standard grid fees, etc.), plus a service fee of just €3.99 per month.

If Tibber sounds like an option for you, I’d be glad if you sign up via my referral link. That gets both you and me €100 for the Tibber Store, where you can buy various IoT hardware for your smart home. If you’re already a Tibber customer and haven’t used a referral link, you can still do so within 14 days — use code vkccaupl.

Have questions or still unsure? Don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help you figure out whether Tibber is the right choice for you. And if it turns out it isn’t — you can cancel Tibber month by month at any time!

Thank you for your support! It makes it possible for me to keep creating videos for you.

Joachim

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