I am looking for the automated (motorized) ac register.
First challenge is a register size. The opening is 6" x 30". Forget about smart (i.e motorized)
registers, but I have a hard time to find any good looking register this size. So, i am OK to
install two say 6" x 14" side by side.
Of course these toys must be controlled by HE and local control is extremely desired.
I know about Keen and Flair Smart AC Vents. But Keen seems to be out of business (I cannot
find anything to bye except for few pre-build packages which are not suitable for my case)
and Flair requires Flair Puck and of course it is cloud based.
Is it any ideas/suggestions what else to look for?
PS.
I am thinking to bye two 6" x 14" Flair Vents ($109 each) and replace all buit-in electronics with
something custom designed controller (most likely based on Hubduino.) I hope, the actuator is
just a DC Motor which drives (opens/closes) fins.
@vitaliy_kh Keen was bought out but still in business it looks like. That said, just be aware you don't want to close off vents as the back pressure can damage your HVAC system.
@rlithgow1 website may be live but the product you linked to won’t allow you to add to cart, nothing is in stock. Their products have been removed from many other etailers too.
As @ritchierich pointed, Keen web site looks like alive but nothing is available for buying.
I am thinking about semi-DIY design for the automated ac register. I may try Flair toy
but with all custom electronics. I.e. driving DC motor with Hubduino project assuming
the actuator is a DC motor. Or if I can find something nice looking with mechanical lever
for controlling fin's position I can add small linear actuator. The problem is: I cannot
find anything 6" x 30" adjustable with lever. Maybe it is time to think about two 6" x 15"
mounted side by side. This should do the job. May main point is - the control must be
100% local.
If you are going to deconstruct something off the shelf, and do things DIY, why not put in a powered vent damper like the one below and control it with something like a Zooz Zen 16/Zen17?
This is just a quick example from Amazon, you likely can get it cheaper (and in various duct diameters) on other sites like Ebay, or possibly from a local HVAC contractor. If you have rectangular ducts, those are available too, but will be more costly.
Because there is no duct. My AC is a Fan-Coill unit positioned about 2ft away behind
6" x 30" main register in a living room. There are two air outlets on both sides. One for
the kitchen and second one for the bedroom. I don't need any air flow control for the
kitchen and bedroom. But I do need minor air flow control for the living room. My only
option is to make this 6" x 30" register smart whichever way is possible. It must look
nice and control must be local.
