Velux KSX100K WW automated opening kit - issues

[fliptopbin]

Hi all,

Hope this is the correct forum for this!

I have some old Velux roof windows (GGL 308 3000 - 20-25 years old) in a slope-roofed extension, and I recently bought a couple of Velux solar powered automation kits (KSX 100 K) for the older style of window.

Ordered ast September, delivered in January (something to do with electronics shortages due to Ukraine), and for various reasons I’m only getting around to fitting them now. They’re multipurpose kits for various styles of windows but they’re well thought through and apart from a lot of the diagrams being seemingly upside down and their instructional youtube videos being useless, it’s gone pretty well I think.

Except, they don’t do anything!! Solar panel plugs into battery plugs into motor, and it comes with a wireless controller that is pre-paired. I went to pair them in case that was the issue, but from what I can learn, if you hold the “Reset” button on the motor, after 10 secs the motor operates slightly so you know it is in pairing mode - however, nothing…

There is a label on the battery saying NiMH - charge date 6/22. Is it possible that the battery is completely dead and will take a couple of days to charge? I have to say that it is very warm and sunny today and they are on a south facing roof so they have had a good 3-4 hours of sun and still nothing…

I also bought some solar powered velux blinds and they worked straight out of the box.

Has anybody installed these and had any issues? I know it could be pairing, but the reset procedure ought to have the motor doing something I think…

I should mention that I have bench tested the other kit by plugging in the solar panel/battery/motor and trying the remote and that is also dead…

 

[catlad]

Have you inserted the magnet on the locking mechanism on your old skylight? If you hold the reset button for 15 seconds the t.bar should move in and out several times then return to the start position, you then need to press the pairing button on your remote control for 1 second, wait for 10 seconds then it should respond. The skylight needs to be closed!

 

[fliptopbin]

Thanks for the reply - as I was messing around with the first window (checking the cables) it just started working, so I assumed it needed a bit of time to charge. I fitted the other one kit but despite it charging all day today on the sun there is no life from it. I’ve reseated the plugs several times and held the reset button down for 15+ secs several times but with no joy. The magnet is in place but I’m not seeing anything at all from the motor.

I’m not sure what else I can do…

 

[catlad]

Well if you swop the battery cells over you can see if you have a dud cell.

 

[fliptopbin]

I swapped the non-working battery on to the working window and it’s not working, so I’m deducing:

- battery needs longer to charge (now seen 2 full days of hot sun on a south facing roof) (bear in mind the other one worked after 4 hours or so (but batteries have stickers saying they were charged in June 22)
- battery has failed internally in some way
- solar panel is failing to charge the battery for some reason (I have tried swapping cables and reseated connections several times

I am testing it by holding down the button on the motor for 15+ seconds but it doesn’t do the in/out pairing procedure.

The only other thing I can try is swapping the battery off the working window just to check that the motor isn’t dead - but clearly the battery is not putting out any power in any case…

 

[catlad]

Sounds like you have a dud battery, if your ring velux 01592 778 225
I'm sure they will swap it for you.

 

[fliptopbin]

Just to update this - I emailed roofblinds who I bought it from, and they sent me a complete new kit! Swapped in the new battery and it worked out of the box. Left the old battery attached to the solar cell from the new kit in the window but even after a couple of weeks of sunshine (a distant memory now) it didn't work. Very happy with the kits. Now looking into the home integration kit so I can open/close them from my phone!

 

[fliptopbin]

Googling for the solution to a problem I am now having brought up my old thread!

Windows have been working really nicely for the last year, used regularly, but one of them has developed a problem - the ven opens most of the way up but then stops. It doesn’t sound like it is struggling with anything before it stops, it just stops moving. I’ve tugged on it a bit and used a little percussion based maintenance so see if it was stuck (was working fine a few days ago and haven’t left it unused so it might have stuck). Any ideas? I will get on a ladder and have a closer look at what I can see of the locking maintenance through the vent but I have been away and am now struck down once more by Covid so I don’t feel much like it…. Not sure what I can do if the window isn’t unlatching.

 

[fliptopbin]

Hah! Replying to my thread again!

I can't remember how I solved the problem this time last year with the window only opening the vent - however, the same has just happened again! What with the current heatwaves it's been opened and shut every day, but all of a sudden the same window that I have always had problems with is only opening the vent and then stopping.

I don't think anything is stuck and I don't think the battery is dead - it feels more like the window is only opening a certain amount. Wondering whether the rain sensor is stopping it opening further? Can't find anybody else having these problems through googling though...

 

[catlad]

Have you connected the terminals in the little box that allows the solar cell to recharge the battery.

 

[fliptopbin]

Have you connected the terminals in the little box that allows the solar cell to recharge the battery.

Tell me more? I just plugged the charger solar panel into the battery as it would be on the window.

What I did do is replace the battery with a spare and it now works fine. So either 2 batteries have gone dead on the same window in a year each or there is another problem. I have now replaced the solar panel with a spare in case that was the issue. All very strange.

 

[catlad]

I should mention that I have bench tested the other kit by plugging in the solar panel/battery/motor and trying the remote and that is also dead…

When you bench tested it, did you use the magnet?

Velux solar powered automation kits (KSX 100 K) for the older style of window.

That kit is for the latest generation, not old skylights.

 

[fliptopbin]

When you bench tested it, did you use the magnet?

That kit is for the latest generation, not old skylights.

I can’t remember about the bench testing to be honest. I am assuming just plugging the solar panel into the battery would charge it though?

The kit is KSX 100 WWA according to my original invoice, apologies for not getting that right in the thread title.

 

[catlad]

I'm inclined to think it's not been connected correctly, given the fact that you are having so many problems.

 

[Worksmarter#46]

New batteries cannot be accommodated from Velux and are not spare parts but new one can be manufactured.