Sometimes, the best innovations come in small packages. The Hunter Douglas PowerView® rechargeable battery wand offers a convenient way to power compatible motorized shades without routinely replacing disposable batteries.
Even better? Rechargeable battery wands can be used with many new PowerView® shades and can also be retrofitted to many existing Hunter Douglas automated window treatments. If you already have motorized shades, our team can help determine whether your current system is compatible.
Why Choose Rechargeable Batteries for Motorized Shades?
Cost savings, convenient design and less battery waste. Aren’t we all on the lookout for these three things?
Battery-powered motorized shades traditionally rely on disposable batteries that eventually need to be replaced.
With the Hunter Douglas rechargeable battery wand, the lithium-ion battery is recharged instead. Under typical conditions, a full charge can last approximately a year, although actual battery life depends on factors such as the size of your shades and how frequently you operate them.
How Does the PowerView® Rechargeable Battery Wand Work?
So. Many. Questions. How about some answers?
The rechargeable battery wand provides a reusable power source for compatible Hunter Douglas automated window treatments. Depending on the shade and installation, it can be mounted at the headrail or positioned nearby as a satellite battery wand.
- The rechargeable battery wand can be mounted at the headrail or installed in a satellite position.
- Retrofit options are available for many existing compatible Hunter Douglas automated shades.
- Battery life varies by shade size and usage, but a full charge typically lasts about a year under normal conditions.
- The PowerView® App can notify you when the battery level is getting low.
- The wand can be removed for charging or, with the appropriate charger and installation, charged while it remains connected to the shade.
- A single charger can recharge one battery wand in approximately two hours.
- A dual charging station can recharge two battery wands in approximately three hours.
For current charging and battery-care instructions, Hunter Douglas provides a detailed guide for charging PowerView® rechargeable batteries.
Where Is the Rechargeable Battery Wand Installed?
You’ve got options when it comes to placement. The best location depends on the window treatment, the window itself and how easily you need to access the battery for charging.
Headrail Mount
For many installations, the rechargeable battery wand can be discreetly mounted at the shade’s headrail, keeping the power source largely out of view.
Satellite Mount
A satellite installation positions the battery wand away from the headrail and connects it to the shade with a cable. This can make the battery easier to reach, especially when the window itself is difficult to access.
For skylights and other difficult-to-reach windows, thoughtful power planning can make a big difference in everyday use. Explore more window treatment solutions for skylights.
How Do You Charge a PowerView® Battery Wand?
You generally do not need to remove the window treatment to recharge its battery. Depending on the setup, the rechargeable wand can be removed from its mounting position and connected to a charger, or it may be possible to charge it while it remains in place.
Hunter Douglas offers both single and dual charging options. The single charger handles one rechargeable battery wand and takes approximately two hours for a full charge. The dual charging station can charge two wands at the same time in approximately three hours.
If you have motorized shades throughout your home, a dual charger or an extra charged battery wand can make it easier to keep multiple shades powered.
Can Solar Power Keep Rechargeable Shade Batteries Charged?
Yes. The Hunter Douglas PowerView® Solar Charger can be connected to compatible rechargeable battery wands and internal rechargeable batteries, helping maintain the battery’s charge using light at the window.
The slim solar charger can be mounted directly to the window glass or at the window jamb. It is designed to work even in lower-light conditions, so strong direct sunlight is not always necessary.
Solar charging can be especially useful for:
- Hard-to-reach motorized shades
- Homes with several rechargeable shades
- Windows where removing a battery wand for charging is inconvenient
- Second homes or spaces where you want to minimize routine charging
The PowerView® Solar Charger can be ordered with compatible new shades and may also be available as a retrofit for existing compatible PowerView® shades.
Can You Add a Rechargeable Battery Wand to Existing Motorized Shades?
In many cases, yes. Hunter Douglas offers retrofit options that allow rechargeable battery wands to be used with many existing compatible automated window treatments. Compatibility depends on the shade, motor and automation system you currently have.
That distinction is important: you do not necessarily need to replace an existing motorized shade simply because you want to move away from disposable batteries. Our team can identify your current Hunter Douglas system and determine which rechargeable power options are available.
Rechargeable, Solar or Hardwired: Which Power Option Is Best?
There isn’t one power source that’s right for every motorized window treatment.
Rechargeable batteries can be a convenient choice when you want motorization without running electrical wiring. Adding a solar charger can reduce the amount of hands-on charging required. Hardwired power may make more sense for certain large, frequently operated or difficult-to-access shades, particularly when electrical planning can be completed during construction or remodeling.
If you’re planning new automated window treatments, our guide to motorized shades and PowerView® Automation can help you explore the available control and power options.
Ready to Recharge Your Motorized Shades?
At Creative Blinds, we love innovations that make everyday life easier. Rechargeable battery power can reduce the need for disposable batteries while giving you the convenience of automated window treatments. And with solar charging now available for compatible systems, maintaining rechargeable shades can be even easier.
Already have Hunter Douglas motorized shades? We can help you determine whether a rechargeable battery wand or solar charging can work with your existing setup. Planning new smart shades for your Houston-area home? We’ll help you compare rechargeable, solar and hardwired power options based on your windows and how you want to use them.
Contact us for your FREE consultation.
