A Lesson In Persistence — and How To Change Channels
For Silhouette® Window Shadings With PowerRise.

Albert Einstein and an assistant were composing a complex scientific paper. Upon completion of the multi-page document, they found themselves in need of a paper clip. The first clip they found was bent out of shape and unusable. So Einstein and his partner then started searching for a tool they could use to bend the clip back into a usable shape when they stumbled upon a whole box of paper clips. At once, Einstein took a new paper clip and bent it into a tool which he then used to reshape the original twisted paper clip into a useful shape. 

His assistant, of course was astounded and asked, "Why would you bother bending that clip back into shape when we have all of these good ones?"

"Once I'm set on a particular goal," Einstein replied, "It becomes difficult to deflect me." 

A Bent Paper Clip Is The Perfect Tool

Okay, so you don't have to be as smart as Albert Einstein to change channels on a Silhouette Shading, but you do have to have some patience and persistence when you set on this particular goal.  There are some who say you can fix anything with a bent paper clip.  I can't be sure about that, but I do know it's a great tool for changing channels on Silhouette window shadings with PowerRise.  Some installers have told me they prefer to use safety pins or dental picks, but I prefer the blunt end of the paper clip as it is less likely to cause damage.

Changing channels can be accomplished in the window.  First step is to let the fabric down from the Silhouette shading --about halfway or so on most shadings. On shades with very short heights you may be able to access the slot without lowering the fabric.  Then disconnect the power either by removing the battery wand, taking a battery out of the satellite battery case or unplugging the AC power supply.  Look from the center of the shade toward the end with the receiver eye and motor assembly.  You will see a slot.  On shadings with the motor assembly on the right, the slot will be toward the front of the shade.  On shadings with the motor assembly on the left, though, the slot will be toward the back.  Inside this slot is a small switch that will change the identity of the shade from Channel One to Channel Two --or back.  

In this view we have removed the shading from the window for clarity.  Some installers prefer to remove the shading from the window to change channels.  Insert the paper clip end at the bottom of the slot and bring it up in a raking motion to the top of the slot.  You may feel it catching on the switch, but it's a very light touch and most people have a hard time telling if they've caught it, especially the first few times.  Don't press the clip in too hard.  And don't rock it back and forth.  You may want to repeat the raking motion - from bottom to top and then out - a few times to be sure you've caught the switch. 

A Look Inside

For this picture, the motor assembly has been removed so you can see the slot and the switch behind it. You're actually blind to this while you are changing channels, so it may help to know what it looks like.  By moving the paper clip in the proper motion you will engage this switch and move it up to convert the shade to channel two or move it down to convert to channel one.