TruBlockout Blind Installation Guide

TruBlockout Blind

Tools Required

Obstacle Clearance

Always factor in window obstacles during installation:

• Protruding Levers, Handles, Aluminium Fins and Mullions, Key Locks etc.

The original window and hardware obstacles must remain fully operational and free from interference once the blind is installed. Clearance required from the nearest protruding obstacle to the front face of the TruBlockout Blind Side Channels is 38mm minimum.

Preparing for Install

Unpack and lay out components, Pelmet with Blind Assembly, Bottom Frame & Side Channels. Remove Pelmet Front Cap by putting your fingers between the felt, at the ends, and pulling away.

Remove Fabric/Tube/Motor/Bottom Bar Assembly from the Pelmet by pushing the assembly to the left, the idler pin will retract, allowing the Motor head to come free from the End Cap bracket. Put this on a flat surface.

Important Information regarding ALL FASTENERS

DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN 

• Never ‘drive home’ any fasteners during the installation process!
• It’s recommended to set the torque on your drill/driver to the minimum setting.
• Use a hand screwdriver for the final screw adjustments.
• Pre-drilling Installation holes is recommended, blind frames and the install surface.
• Clean away any swarf prior to installing fixing screws.

Pre-drill Fixing Holes

For both Reveal & Face Fix, pre-drill fixing holes in the Side Channel Backs using the following recommended guidelines:

• Using the drill bit guideline, drill 4mm holes 100mm up from the bottom and 100m down from the top in every install. Reveal Fix in the side section, Face Fix in the back section.
• Up to 800mm in length…only top and bottom holes required.
• Between 801mm – 2000mm…top and bottom plus 1 in the middle
• Between 2001 – 2400mm…top and bottom plus 2 intermediates, evenly spaced.
• Beyond 2401…top and bottom plus 3 intermediates, evenly spaced.
• Remove any aluminium swarf created during the drilling process.

Assembly and Installation

Slide the L/H and R/H Side Channel Backs into the Pelmet End Plates

• Tighten Grub Screws…Do Not over tighten or you will create an indentation in the Side Channel extrusion.
• Make sure the Pelmet End Plate and the Side Channels are held flush and square during the grub screw tightening.
• After Tightening the Grub Screws the Side Channels do tend to lean outwards. This is normal and will be corrected later in the installation process when the Bottom Frame is located.

Reveal Fix Installations

Insert the Frame Assembly (Pelmet Back and Side Channels) into the reveal opening and square up the Pelmet. Like any other blind install, having the Pelmet square is critical. Also make sure the front faces of the Side Channel Backs are flush and aesthetically correct. Once you are satisfied that the top Pelmet is square, Mark where all the Side Channel fixing screws will be installed, particularly if it’s into brick where you must put plugs in first. Or, if you are drilling into timber or steel frames, install fixing screws in the top holes only, both left and right at this stage.

Fitting the Bottom Frame

You must undo completely and take out one of the silver Screws in either the left-hand or right-hand Side Channel Bottom Cap. The other side remains in but slightly up to receive the Bottom Frame End Cap prong. Take the Bottom Frame and with one side up about 400mm, slide it down into position, the other side, you can engage the Bottom Frame End Cap prong into and underneath the remaining silver Screw. Once both sides are in position lightly tighten the screw, make sure the Side Channel End Cap is pressed firmly against the Bottom Frame End Cap during tightening.

Depending how level the bottom surface is, or how much the Light Block Strip is making the Bottom Frame bow up, you may need to add a fixing screw through the base frame to make it straight. Drill a 4.5mm centred hole through the flat surface then use the appropriate coloured 6g screw to bring the Bottom Frame down…DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! For blinds between 1500 – 2400, fix one screw in the middle. For blinds between 2401 – 3000 Fix 2 evenly spaced is recommended.

• Using a spirit level, ‘plumb’ your Side Channels before installing the remaining fixing screws.

This Gap is Deliberate

Maintain an equal and even gap for the entire height of the blind. 6G Black Pan Phillips Self Tapping Fixing Screws recommended. 20mm or 30mm depending on what you’re fixing into.

Face Fix Installations

Please note, Face Fix blinds will not have light blocking Felt running around the perimeter edges of the frame, they will have 20mm x 3mm Foam applied to the back face of the frame. Remove the protective paper cover from the Foam before install. The same install process for Reveal Fix; attaching Side Channel Backs, squaring and plumbing etc, applies to Face Fix. Depended on blind width, Fixing Screws may need to be put into the Bottom Frame to prevent flexing and to press the Foam on the back face against the installed surface to prevent light bleed. A drill bit guideline has been added in the front face, using that location and square on, drill through the front and back face with a 4mm bit. Follow through the front face only with a 9.5mm bit to allow space for the driver bit and Screw head to penetrate. Once installed, place the appropriate coloured Cap/s provided into the 9.5mm hole/s to plug the hole. Number of required Screws in the Bottom Frame, if the width is: Between 540 – 1500 (1 centred), 1501 – 2400 (2 equally spaced), 2400+ (3 equally spaced) The Pelmet also needs fixing Screws. Using the drill bit guideline inside the Pelmet Back Face, pre-drill 4mm holes and fix screws close to both ends, then every 800-900mm across recommended. This process better secures the Frame and presses the foam to the installed face, therefore preventing light bleed.

Installing the Blind Assembly

Place the Blind Assembly, Idler End first, into the bracket hole in the left-hand Pelmet End Plate, push until Idler Retracks fully. Before placing the Motor Head into the right-hand Pelmet End Plate bracket, connect the Micro-USB adapter cord into the Motor Head. During this process the protruding cord needs to face down and slightly towards the rear, as shown below.

Use the Cable Clips inserted in the Side Channel Backs to secure the Cord from bottom to top. Depending on the drop off the blind, there will be one towards the bottom and one towards the top, with an intermediate one(s) in the middle. These clips can slide up or down into a position that best supports the cable, avoiding install screws. (Photo A) The USB-C Cords are available in ½ metre increments; depending on the drop, the appropriate size will be supplied. Tidy up any excess cord by looping it into the Back section of the Side Channel Back. (Photo B).

Set Blind Limits

Refer to the Rollease Acmeda Automate Motor Programming Instructions. During the Limit setting process, apply sufficient pressure to the Bottom Bar whilst it is travelling down or up to ensure that it travels freely between the Side Channels.

Fit Pelmet Cover

Engage the top of the Pelmet Cover into the designated slot on the Pelmet Back and swing it closed. Press firmly or tap with your hand to make sure it ‘clicks’ shut. Only do this at both ends close to the Pelmet End Plates.

Fitting the Side Channel Covers

Side Channel Clips will already be secured to the Side Channel Covers. Make sure when you pair them up with the corresponding Side Channel Back, there is no USB-C cable or fixing screws in the same location where the Clips will go, otherwise they will impede the connection. Make sure you know where the clips are located; this will assist when you clip them together. A specific technique is required to bring the Side Channel Covers and Backs together. Position the Side Channel Covers as per ‘Correct Positioning’ diagram below. IMPORTANT…Always slide the Side Channel Cap from the bottom up to the top, then connect the top clip first, working your way down clip-by-clip to the last clip located at the bottom. This is to avoid any scratching of the Pelmet Cover during installation of the Cover. Reveal Fix installations, place your fingers behind the Side Channel Back (if you have room) and press with your thumbs the Side Channel Cover, squeezing them together until you hear a loud audible click. Face Fix installations where the Side Channel Back is sitting flush and secure against the wall or window frame, just press firmly on the Side Channel Cover until you hear a loud audible click.

If you need to take the Side Channel Covers off, place your fingers between the Cover and the Side Channel Back where the felt strips are and tilt the Cover slightly outwards. Do this at the bottom end in line with the clip and then pull the Cover directly away from the Back.

Check for Proper Operation

Run the blind fully down and up, at least twice to help ‘settle’ the fabric. Re-adjust the Lower & Upper Limits if necessary.

Check for Light Bleed

• Close the door of the room
• Run the TruBlockout blind down to closed position
• Turn out the light
• Inspect the four perimeter edges and corners for any light bleed
• When inspecting your eyesight should be perpendicular to the area of inspection
• If any light bleed is evident, take steps to fix it

The most common source of light bleed is usually between the window frame and the blind frame. Reveal Fix: By design, there is a small gap between in the inside face of the window frame and the outside face of the blind frame. When sliding the blind frame into the opening, the light-blocking felt around the perimeter does not always sit perfectly. Using a plastic paint scraper, poke and prod the felt to find a position that covers any light bleed. On blinds typically beyond 1.5m wide, there may be a need to add a fixing screw to the mid-section of the Pelmet Back. You may experience slight deflection (downward bowing) of the Pelmet Back that could allow light bleed. On a tall blind, typically above 1.5m height, there may be a need to add additional fixing screws on the sides to ensure that the Side Channel is true and straight with a consistent gap between the Side Channel and the window frame. Your installation is complete!

MORE INFORMATION

TruBlockout Installation Instructions

• www.trublockout.com.au

FAQs

• Q: What should I do if the Side Channels lean outwards after tightening the Grub Screws?
  • A: This is normal. The leaning will be corrected later in the installation process when the Bottom Frame is located.