VALAR Systems
The Ropener
The Ropener
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The Ropener is a smart curtain opener that retrofits onto your existing curtain rod to make it smart and easy to open remotely. Watch the video in the gallery to learn more.
Choose your kit
DIY (no prints): all hardware and electronics — you print the plastic parts yourself from the open-source files. The lowest-cost option for makers with a 3D printer.
DIY (with prints): the same kit with the full printed set included, so you don't need a printer.
Assembled — Ready to Use: fully built and tested, ready to mount.
Both DIY tiers assemble in about 20 minutes once you have the printed parts.
Power
Select US, EU, or UK to include a 24V/1.5A power supply with the right plug, or None to supply your own 24V/1.5A adapter.
Rope length
30 ft is enough for most installs. Choose 40 ft or 50 ft only if your run needs it — see Choosing your rope length below for the sizing math.
Works for everyone
The device ships with ESPHome already installed — it does not require Home Assistant or any uploading or flashing of firmware. Once powered on, it creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that you connect to with your phone or laptop. Then you add the device to your network (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi) and can access the settings from any browser on the same network. It will be discoverable in Home Assistant for automation, but it can also function without it.
100% open source
Everything is open source. The plastics are 3D printed, and STEP files are available. The firmware is written in ESPHome with the YAML available here:
https://github.com/Valar-Systems/Ropener
If you chose DIY (no prints), this is where the print files live.
Building it
Build guide is here.
Installation guide is here.
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ESPHome
ESPHome YAML is available here. If you use Matterbridge, you can even control this device with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa.
Before you buy
Lead time: ships in 1–2 weeks — sorry for the delay.
Grommet curtains: we highly recommend using this curtain glide tape. Without it, most grommet curtains get stuck halfway when closing.
3D prints: choose DIY (no prints) to print your own — everything prints on one platter in about 9 hours (8h 44m), with the files on the GitHub page — or choose DIY (with prints) to have the full set included.
Will it work for your curtains?
There's no maximum width — the motor can pull any length of rope. The one real limit is pulling force: up to about 15 lb. That's not about how much your curtains weigh, but how hard they are to slide along the rod — and longer, heavier, or stiffer curtains create more drag. Most curtains sit well within range. If yours are wide or heavy, the glide tape (above) cuts that drag substantially and is the fix, especially on grommet curtains.
Choosing your rope length
The rope needs to be at least twice as long as the distance it needs to travel, plus some distance for it to attach to the wall, below the curtains. For example, if your curtain rod is 10 feet wide, you need at least 20 feet of rope. Additionally, we recommend placing it 2 feet below the curtain, which will require an additional 4 feet of rope. So a 10-foot rod needs at least 24 feet of rope. 30 ft covers most setups; size up to 40 ft or 50 ft for wide spans or a low mount point.
How it works
The diagram below shows how the rope moves the curtain. It's from an earlier revision, but the mechanism is identical.
The motor is attached below #4, and a pulley spins the rope. On the opposite end is the end pulley #1. In the center are the two carriages #2 and #3 that are attached to the rope. These are attached to the front of each curtain panel and move it back and forth along the rod.
