Drive - electric or manual?

Undoubtedly, in both cases the system will work perfectly, but which type of drive do we as a manufacturer recommend?  

To make the decision easier, we present the advantages and disadvantages of both types of drive.

1. Convenience of operation We have made sure that the crank operation is effortless, but there can only be one winner in this category - the electric drive. A single press of the switch or a button on the remote control opens or closes the system. This is particularly important with awnings - in the event of a sudden change in the weather, an electrically driven awning can be retracted much more quickly and efficiently (see point 3).
2. Costs In this category the manual drive wins, although given the overall cost of the system the price difference is not acute. However, the decision is up to the user.
3. Use of weather sensors Weather sensors provide comfort and even more functionality, but their use is only possible with an electric drive. Please read our articles on weather automation: https://aluprof.com/en/blog/how-does-wind-automation-work, https://aluprof.com/en/blog/sun-senor-is-it-worth-investing-in
4. Energy supply interruptions A frequently used argument in favour of a crank system is that the system can be opened/closed in the event of a power cut. However, with an electric drive it is possible to use a motor with emergency retraction. In the case of awnings, this is an additional crank, and for Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems the optional Emergency Exit Safe module (second escape route). The battery belonging to the module allows the system to be activated in the event of a power failure. If the module is connected to a fire alarm system, opening will occur automatically.
5. Thermal bridges In the case of external covers, where the manual control is relocated through a conduit to the inside of the room, thermal bridges responsible for heat loss form at these points.

Brief summary Our overview clearly shows that the electric drive is not only more comfortable to operate, but also more functional. Given the undoubted advantages of the electric drive, we recommend it in our systems.