[asianthree]

Have to ask, what company installed the motorized shades, and didn’t take care of the power?

[ronda]

Originally Posted by Altavia

What's the stall current of that motor?

Stall current will be significantly higher. This can happen of the screen jams, operating in higher winds or when the tracks need cleaning/lubricating.

If the motor's shaft is prevented from turning, no eddy currents are created (the armature must be moving in the magnetic field). The only limit to the current flow is the Series Resistance of the windings in the motor.

Yes, there are 2 current draws Full Load Amps (FLA)/Starting current and Running Load Amps (RLA). Getting both numbers would be great, but the point I was making was don't assume you need a new circuit. There are motors that draw <2 amps that power big screens. As far as FLA is concerned, it is often not listed for small motors under reasonable loads because the difference between RLA and FLA is negligible. For a 1.6A motor I would expect this to be the case, but unless we have the data, we can't say for sure.

Bottom line. Don't assume you need a new ckt. Also, you will likely run only 1 motor at a time, so you don't need to add the 3 motors specs together. IMHO, from what I know, without knowing the specs of these specific motors, I think there is a very good chance a separate ckt is not warranted. It's worth the effort to get the specs on the motors.

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by jayerose

It's an outdoor outlet with a cover.

It will be for three outside lanai blinds which may not be suitable for the power it needs.

Required a permit when we installed ours at Linden. Also approval. Separate Circuit Breaker.

[sowilts]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If you only operate ONE at a time, you should not overload the circuit. If you absolutely need a new circuit, I would plan on several hundred dollars. New circuit breaker GFCI type, new cable run from garage to lanai location, new box, outlets and cover, and several hours of work. I would also have the new circuit go to the soffit areas this should simplify the routing of the wires from the lanai blinds to the new outlet, and the wiring to the outlet will be simplified. You will be able to route the wiring behinds the soffit.

I would get at least 3 bids for the work.

Agree, installed many, this is not a DIY project. Lots of water involved.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by ronda

Yes, there are 2 current draws Full Load Amps (FLA)/Starting current and Running Load Amps (RLA). Getting both numbers would be great, but the point I was making was don't assume you need a new circuit. There are motors that draw <2 amps that power big screens. As far as FLA is concerned, it is often not listed for small motors under reasonable loads because the difference between RLA and FLA is negligible. For a 1.6A motor I would expect this to be the case, but unless we have the data, we can't say for sure.

Bottom line. Don't assume you need a new ckt. Also, you will likely run only 1 motor at a time, so you don't need to add the 3 motors specs together. IMHO, from what I know, without knowing the specs of these specific motors, I think there is a very good chance a separate ckt is not warranted. It's worth the effort to get the specs on the motors.

Best answer yet! Also, check the circuit breaker amperage on the existing outlet.
Our outdoor circuits are all 20 amps, which should be plenty, and only an outlet change is necessary

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by splashes

buy one at lowes and just plug it in the duplex

Ditto. I have four or five of these conversions. Work great.

[DrHitch]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If you only operate ONE at a time, you should not overload the circuit. If you absolutely need a new circuit, I would plan on several hundred dollars.
I would get at least 3 bids for the work.

Yes, modifying an EXTERIOR outlet (likely already a GFCI) should be easy but left to electrician

[Maker]

If the power cord to the blinds has a connector like that on a desktop computer, you might be able to buy a special cord. It has a standard plug, and also a piggy back receptacle in line with the plug. That goes in outlet, and another power cord plugs into that. That takes car of 2 shades. The other outlet (of the duplex) is for the 3rd shade.
YMMV - prob won't work, but easy if it does.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If you only operate ONE at a time, you should not overload the circuit.

The circuit needs to support maximum load.

We often run all 3 simultaneously when we see a storm coming.

[denniskathyb]

Originally Posted by Altavia

What's the power/amp requirement for the blinds?

We needed a new dedicated circuit when installing three blinds.

You can also just activate each bling 2 minutes apart. Then no additional load.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by jayerose

Calling tomorrow to get an estimate to switch a duplex outlet into a quad outlet...they installed the duplex last week, but I now need a duplex...just wanted to prepare myself for the price.

thank you.

We added a new run when I installed an electric retractable awning. The cost for that 3 years ago was $300 and took about an hour. We did have an available slot in our circuit breaker box.