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CMD150 Controller – User Guide

Setup, wiring, and the parameter reference for the AutoVent CMD150 controller.

Model CMD-150
24 vdc curtain/vent motor
1700 in-lb torque
Adjustable limit switches

AutoVent CMD-150 curtain and vent motor shown with the flat galvanized wall-mount plate, blue gearbox, clear top cover, black motor and round output shaft

Mounting options

The CMD-150 is a 24 vdc curtain and vent motor. It is offered with a flat wall-mount plate, or with a creeper and cordguide.

AutoVent CMD-150 curtain motor shown with the creeper and cordguide, a U-shaped metal bracket mounted around the blue gearbox and output shaft
The CMD-150 with the creeper and cordguide bracket.
Side view of the AutoVent CMD-150 motor and blue gearbox showing the black motor body, the clear top cover over the blue limit knob, and the round output shaft
The CMD-150 motor and gearbox.

Limit switches

What keeps the motor from rolling too far? The answer is the limit switches. There are 2 of them: an upper and a lower knob.

Can I change where the motor stops? Yes. The particular position of the limit knobs sets the stopping point.

How do I know which knob is for the upper limit position? It varies depending on the installation.

There are 2 knobs, what does that mean? A knob only stops either the upper or lower position. It takes both to stop at each end.

Close-up photo inside the CMD-150 gearbox showing the red limit switch above two blue plastic limit-switch cams that mesh with the gear train, with the center locking screws visible
Inside the gearbox: the red limit switch above the two blue limit-switch cams.

Adjusting the upper limit

  1. Determine which knob stops the motor from rolling upwards.
  2. Adjust the knob in small increments.
  3. Watch the stopping point.
  4. Run the motor to test the position.
  5. Repeat until the motor is at the desired position. This process is much easier with a 2nd person.
Tip: tighten the center screw before adjusting the other knob.
CAD diagram of the CMD-150 motor shown from four angles, each labeled with the DOWN and UP limit knobs to help identify which knob sets each end of travel
The DOWN and UP limit knobs, shown from four mounting angles. Which knob is which varies with the installation.

I can’t turn the knob, what’s wrong?

The screw in the center of the knob needs to be loosened slightly.

My motor loses position, in a very short time

The screw in the center of the limit knob needs to be hand screwdriver tight. If it is slightly loose the knob will move on its own.

Fabric rolling problems

My rollup fabric has a big lump in it and the motor wraps up too far. Fabric is tearing and everything is tight. What’s wrong?

The problem is the fabric isn’t rolling evenly. Bad rolling gets to the top too soon. The motor doesn’t know it is not winding up poorly. It goes the same rotation count regardless. Motor limits are dumb. They only know total rotations.

Unroll the fabric, pull it taut to remove all wrinkles. Try again until it rolls evenly.

Motor troubleshooting

The motor doesn’t go at all, even when it’s connected to a controller

Use a voltmeter, check if there is 24v at the end of the cord. Test voltage with the control opening and closing.

Can I connect the CMD-115 directly to an outlet?

No. You will burn out the motor and void warranty. It’s a 24vdc device.

Gearbox orientation

Does gearbox orientation matter? It’s not an absolute like some of the other models.

How do I orient the CMD-115? Install with the motor at the bottom.

Setting the top position

How close can I set my top position?

Don’t set it too close. It will roll differently from summer to winter. You want about 6 inch room for error.

Specifications

CMD-150 specifications
Rated amps12.5
Rated volts24vdc
RPM3
Max rotations38
Weight without accessories12 lb
Output shaft size0.87″
Max circuit breaker size10 amp -15*
Max torque1700 in-lb

Motor torque

The CMD-150 max torque is approx. 1700 in-lb. The largest circuit breaker/fuse we recommend is 10 amps. 15 amp can be used but it is possible to break things before it trips.

Under normal conditions, keep the load to 10 amps or less, so there is some reserve for unusual conditions.

Line chart titled CMD-150 torque - Inch LB (pounds of pull with a 2 diameter roll pipe) plotting amps on the vertical axis from 0 to 18 against torque in inch-lb on the horizontal axis from 0 to 2500, with a red max fuse line near 13 amps and a red max normal conditions line near 10 amps
The chart shows amps versus torque. Above 12.5 amps, your load is too big.

Curtain size & rolling

How big of a curtain can I roll with a CMD-150?

Our experience is, this torque is nominally 200 ft of bottom rolling curtain. With a 2 inch roll pipe and no ice. However the CMD-150 is a single shaft motor. A dual shaft motor will distribute the weight better on the fabric. Curtain fabric lasts the longest when the motor is supported on both sides.

Bottom rolling versus middle rolling curtain

We recommend rolling curtains from the bottom. Center rolling curtains turn 2 or 3x harder. They take way more torque. Especially if wind is blowing the curtain against grippy bird wire.

Motor won’t stop

My CMD-0150 doesn’t stop anymore. As in it wraps up tight and doesn’t listen to the limit switches. What is wrong that the CMD-150 doesn’t stop?

Note: this means the gearbox’s internal relay needs replaced. Part number CMD-150RR. Replace it if the motor fails to stop for the limit switch.

Adjusting the limit switches

You figured out which knob to adjust. The center stainless screw locks the knob. Use your Phillips screwdriver to loosen it slightly.

Close-up photo of the CMD-150 gearbox with a black arrow pointing at the center stainless screw that locks one of the two blue limit knobs
The black arrow points to the center stainless screw that locks the limit knob.

Adjust the knob in small increments. Run the motor to test the position. Repeat until the motor is at the desired position. This process is much easier with a 2nd person. Tighten the screw before adjusting the other knob.

Front close-up photo of the two blue CMD-150 limit knobs, each with a Phillips center locking screw, below the gear train
The two blue limit knobs, each with its Phillips center locking screw.

How the limit switches work

The cams slowly rotate as the gearbox shaft turns. When a cam pushes the switch, the motor will stop.

Close-up photo of the CMD-150 limit-switch cams with two black arrows pointing at the blue cams that rotate until one pushes the red limit switch above them
As the shaft turns, the cams (arrows) rotate until one pushes the red limit switch and stops the motor.
Note: run the motor to figure out which knob is for Up and which knob is for Down.
Tip: at the top, leave a minimum of 2–4″ of unwrapped curtain. Cold weather or debris will cause it to wrap up bulkier, and use the 2–4 inches of previously unwrapped fabric.

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