Sound Engineering......
At only 24.4 dBA, we produce a 6 Nm tubular motor, that is almost 4 full times quieter, than the Somfy Soness motor!
That motor is produced in sizes of 3 Nm, 6 Nm, 10 Nm, and 13 Nm, of both 35 mm motor barrel size, as well as the 45 mm motor barrel size.
A simple explanation of the noise projected at 24.4 dBA, is to equate it with normal breathing, at a 1 meter distance, or it is also roughly equivilant with the ticking of a wrist watch (again, at a 1 meter distance). Note both of these examples are actually compared to 25 dBA noise level.
The 44 dBA level of the Somfy Soness motor is explained by comparison to (45 dBA), to that of a relatively soft, to medium spoken voice, at a one meter distance. 25 dBA, is four times quieter, than the 45 dBA noise level. Actual comparisons, of "lab tested motor noise", are 19.6 dBA difference (24.4 dBA, vs. the Somfy Sonesse at 44 dBA).
In fact, you will not find another tubular motor brand anywhere, that will give you more information, on tubular motors, or that offers repairs to all brands of tubular motors.
Most companies do not even repair their own brands (if the motors are out of warranty). If interested in motor repairs, see index.
Perhaps you don't care what a "Newton meter" is, or you are not interested, in sound levels produced, by these motors.
You can always skip over parts, and read only the information you want. Or, you can understand simply, that one Nm is exacty 8.8 inch pounds of torque, and is compared to the leverage of the swing (radius, from center of the motor), vs the weight you are attempting to lift, and it's distance relationship, to the center of the radius.
Also note that in websites promoted by Somfy dealers, they deomonstrate lift, using drawings that clearly show arrows of rotation (the load clearly being lowered)! When lowering any load, no matter how large or small, gravity works to your advantage (the direct opposite, of lift)!
As for sound testing, certification is herein provided, that our 6 Nm shade motor tested to 24.4 dBA, the quietest of tubular motors offered (anywhere). FYI: The 24.4 decibel rating of our tubular motor is comparable to the noise produced, by the ticking of a wrist watch!
In fact, it is extreemly difficult, to find a device to register noise levels, under 30 dB. Some noise level meters do not even register below 50 dB.
However, if you need to be informed, read on.
(BTW: Simply put, 6 Nm, in a 2" tube, provides 52.8 inch pounds of torque, and is exactly equal to weight/lift, given the 1" radius). In a smaller radius, that lift can be increased, accordingly, compared to the decrease of swing, vs. weight to lift.
Sound Engineering, in tubular motors!
Many tubular motor brands claim to be quiet, but we offer independant lab certification, to back our claim. See "Whisper Line" motors (L/H Index).
Our 6 Nm shade motors were noise tested to 24.4 dBA, which is below the average sound threshold, of human beings. Note the average background noise in a library (without any talking), is between 20 and 30 dBA.
Twenty dBA is equivilant to the ticking of a wrist watch. Thirty dBA, is also generally regarded as a "whisper" level of noise, while normal conversation levels are considered to be from 40 dBA, to 60 dBA (at one meters distance). Or at 60 to 80 dBA at a greater, one, to five meter distance.
People often claim they see our motor running, but they can not at all, hear it.
Now that, is quiet!
They are surprised to see the motor running, but with no motor noise.
Torque Master
Tubular Motors & Drives registered trademark
Storm Easy Shutters Inc., DBA: Shutter Motor Service, is the owner of the Torque Master motor brand.
We are the company that offers the world's quietest new tubular shade motor!
In fact, we are Four times quieter, than the Somfy Sonesse 30 motor! See chart, further down this page, for verification.
From the land of Blue Skys, Oranges, and Sunshine!
200 pound lift - 40 Nm motor (in a 7 ft tall shutter)
Tubular motors that plug in, with remote control. No electrician needed!
Pictured is 40 Nm motor $190.00 with wall plug, and remote control transmitter.
(upwards, for larger motor types)
Orange you glad, you found us?
OK! Bad joke, but a great motor.
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You can not possibly build the quietest motors, if you do not build the smoothest running motors!
Sound, very simply put, is vibration (it is nothing more, and nothing less)!
Our independant lab test certification, is published to the "Whisper Line" motors link (upper L/H Index). It was conducted by: Quest Engineering Solutions / Boston, MA.
Somfy would certainly argue that fact, but independant noise lab "testing", says otherwise! Several other sources, for sound analysis, also agree (below)...
The Somfy Sonesse 30 motor runs at exactly 44 dBA, as per Somfy Sonesse 30's own published, specifications sheets.
We tested two separate motors, to 24.4 dBA, and 25.4 dBA noise levels, and compare them to the Somfy Sonesse 30 motor.
While the Somfy Sonesse 30's noise level is not exactly 20 dB over that of our own test certifications, it compares at 19.6 dB difference, instead of the 20 dB level, shown in the below chart!
Note both of the motors we tested were of the 6 Nm size, one in a 35 mm motor barrel, the other was of the 45 mm barrel size.
| Perceptions of Increases in Decibel Level |
| Imperceptible Change | 1dB |
| Barely Perceptible Change | 3dB |
| Clearly Noticeable Change | 5dB |
| About Twice as Loud | 10dB |
| About Four Times as Loud | 20dB |
Note linked page (and chart above) is provided by: Galen Carol / Galen Carol Audio Inc, and by Marshal Chasin. Statistics for the Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart were taken from a study by Marshall Chasin , M.Sc., Aud(C), FAAA, Centre for Human Performance & Health, Ontario, Canada. It is published with permission, and blessing!
Also included (in the full published chart - linked), are OSHA recomended sustained listening hours, as compared to various noise levels, to prevent hearing loss!
Note also, that damage of the ear drum, starts at just 90 dB, and permanant irreversable ear damage, is experianced at 140 dB.
A far more complete explanation of the values, and dangers of comparitive noise levels, can be found at the (below) linked page!
The weblink to the full "Perceptions of Increase in Decibel Level" chart, is: http://gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html Far more information is given in the full chart, than what we show below! If this low noise motor interest you, please take time to view the full chart, and study the authors credentials. Permission was attained to post the chart, in full and/or in part, as long as a link was provided for the full chart, and webpage.
A sound understanding, of dB "perception". The dB symbol, is used to denote decibels.
All professional sound test are performed with multiple microphones (in our case, 6 microphones were used, each exactly one meter, from running motor). Results are averaged, to attain a level, which is void of any specific interferance, caused by positioning, or possibly a faulty microphone, or cord, etc.
Before we can engineer a better (quieter) motor, we need to fully understand, how sound works (or, better yet, how we percieve sound)!
Now understand, that this gets technical, and very involved. So, if it is not your specific interest, you might be better to move to other sections of this website. But if you want to learn.........
In most cases, the human ear is born, to perfection. But as we grow older, we are subjected to noise polution, which very much, damages our hearing ability.
It is virtually impossible to reach an age where an individual can even learn to speak, without the same individual having already suffered some hearing loss. We live in a world of noise polution, and everyone suffers some hearing loss, due to that fact.
First off, sound is vibrations in the air, and it is given in ranges of dB (decibels).
While the following mathmatics may be percieved as absolutely impossible, it is indeed, fact!
Decibels (dB), are mathmaticly powered to the factor of 10. Meaning, that the difference between 1 dB, and 3 dB is 10 times 10, times 10 again (1,000 times the actual base (1 dB) noise level).
Each increase of 1 dB, is ten times the former noise, such as 4 dB, is 10 times the noise produced at 3 dB (but 4 dB is also ten thousand times greater, than 1 dB). And, at only 4 dB, most folks, can't even hear it! In fact many people can't hear anything below 20 dB to even 30 dB (which is regarded as equivilent to the background noise (with no talking), in a public library.
However the human ear, only begins to percieve the slightest increase of noise, when that noise is actually increased by increments of a minimum of 3 dB at best (one thousand fold, the original noise level). And, in fact many folks do not percieve even a slight difference in sound levels, until a 5 dB increase has taken place (actually an increase of 100,000 times, the original 1 dB noise).
Because of that fact, a five (5) dB difference, is the common denominator, in the "Perceptive" noise chart (above). A twenty dB difference, divided by the "clearly percieved 5 dB level", results in four times the noise polution, at 44 dB, as compared to 24 dB.
Even though the actual noise levels have increased by a thousand, to even millions of times, the human ear only recognizes the increase, as a very slight bit, above the former noise level. If indeed the noise levels are even heard. This is partially due to damage to the ears, that we experiance every day.
While this math will certainly comfuse you, the chart is drawn only, on sound differences the average human ear can actually distinguish!
Certain animals, such as dogs, percieve sound differently, and thus they are alert to sounds we can not hear, as well, they hear sound "ranges", beyond what we can percieve (many, many times higher, and lower, than we can hear).
Note the "barely perceptable change", (in the further above chart), notation at 3 dB, vs the "clearly perceptible change" at 5 dB. Five (5) dB of change, is used as the common denominator, for perception of change. As most people, can not percieve a change at only 3 dB. In fact may adults can not hear anything below 20 dB (myself, included). I can hear a 20 dB tone, but only if it is amplified to full volume, which is normally not the case.
The chart is drawn, using the "Clearly Perceptible" conotation, dividing 20 dB, by 5, to get the multiplier of four (four times as loud, that we use in comparison to the Somfy Sonessse motor).
Because there is a validly perceptable change, the chart could have even been corectly drawn, using the Barely Perceptible division of 3 dB, to make the 20 dB difference, to be 6.66 times as quiet, for the motor of the lesser dB value. Instead, the more perceptible value of 5 dB, was used as the common denominator, to draw the chart.
Most audioligist will tell you that, the human ear, does not percieve any tone differences, until there are a minimum of 3 dB differences, between noise levels.
Example: Minimum percieved sound differences are in 3 dB increments. 0 dB, to 3 dB, to 6 dB, to 9 dB, ect, etc. A sound difference from 3 dB, to 5 dB, would not be at all recognized by the common ear, as neither would a difference from 20 dB, to 22 dB.
Most ears in fact need a 5 dB change, to recognize a difference in sound levels.
In fact music, as well as vocal tone, is also defined in octaves (8 dB differences), which are far more defineable to the human ear.
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We deal in new tubular motors, ranging in size from 3 Nm, to 300 Nm, and we are working on larger, quieter motors, yet!
See "Whisper Line" motors (Upper Left Index), for lab test results, and certification.
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We sell wholesale, and we sell retail! Just supply us with a tax sale (or a tax exempt resale) certificate, to qualify for wholesale prices. Otherwise, retail prices apply!
But, usually even our retail prices, are lower than other brands wholesale prices!
Motor Repair
Most tubular shutter/awning motor companies do not want these motors to be repaired!
Why not? Because they make huge markups, on new motors!
In most cases, a tubular motor can be manufactured well under $70.00 per motor. So how do you justify a list price nearing $600.00 per motor?
A proper markup is not only reasonable, but expected....
But, an 800% markup, is not reasonable! It should be criminal!
OK! So, they offered you a discount, and the motor only cost you $450.00...
And, they charge you extra, for a mounting bracket, and the crown and drives. (what a bargain)
We can sell you a very similar motor, that does everything the more expensive motor does, for half the price, or even less! Our average new motor (40 Nm / 200 pound lift), wholesale cost $190.00 ($275.00 retail), with adapters, and a mounting plate.
With the same 5 year warranty!
Most companies that deal in tubular motors, are paying way too much, for their motor products. And, they don't even know it!
How much are you currently paying, for a 40 Nm tubular motor?
40 Nm override motors, with internal remote control (IRC) $190.00 wholesale.
Without remote control operation, $155.00 wholesale.
Tubular motor companies, want you to believe these motors are very expensive, when in truth, they are not! Although, keeping huge office buildings in 14 different countries, is very expensive.
But in fact, you can ship to the "entire world", from only one office building, and keep cost, to a minimum!
Take a look at your last billing, from your current motor supplier, and see exactly, what you paid, for just how many motors, (and accessories)?
Does your company charge extra, for the manual override type? For the mounting brackets? Or, for the crown, and drives?
We don't!
Most motor brands charge an additional hundred dollars or more, for the manual override style of motor, over the standard motor price. They charge more yet, for a radio remote motor.
We supply a 40 Nm motor, with override, crown and drives, mounting bracket, and a five year warranty, for just $155.00 each! You basicly, just need to supply the electricity, to run it!
Note: We do not supply the override shaft, that couples to the motor.
Yes! We ask questions about your casting size, and axle size/shape, but that is so we supply you, with the "right parts", the first time!
We have the ability to produce as many as 4.5 million tubular motors per year, and we can custom manufacture, products to meet most specifications, to include size, lift weight, UL, and FCC approvals. We can also produce custom dirve shapes, but we need to do these by the thousands, or not at all!
We produce FCC remote control "plug in ready" motors, that do not require an electrician, to wire them! In fact any child could wire it, as it will only go together one way, and it will not work, until it is completely plugged in. Then, pressing both the up, and down buttons at the same time, programs the FCC approved remote to the motor.
Proper FCC approval, can not be overstated!
This is extreemly important, as the FCC fine, is $11,000.00 (eleven "thousand" dollars) per device, if not properly FCC certified. And, possible imprisonment!
We have proper FCC Approvals, and will provide proof, when asked! The same applies to UL Certifications.
What do you currently pay your licensed electrician, to wire motors, for you?
If you use internal remote control motors, that are plug in ready, you not only save the cost of the electrician, but also on the price of the motor, and the wall switch too (because you do not use wall switches)!
Not to mention the time saved, by simply plugging in the motor, and training the transmitter, which takes about 3 seconds.
Note we do not stock every size, or type, as we prefer to inventory the more popular sizes, but we can special order, any size motor you prefer, within reason!
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We also repair all brands of tubular motors!
We can repair your existing tubular motors, and we offer new tubular motors for far less, than you can imagine!
We are usually the number one listed website, on google, and yahoo, for "shutter motor repair" In fact, you don't even need to use the word "repair"
Go to google.com, and look up "tubular shutter motor". We usually rank #1 in the results. Even searching "Somfy motor repair", "Simu motor repair", or "elero motor repair", we carry the number one position, in Google, and Yahoo search engines!
We didn't get there, by accident!
Why? Because these companies do not repair their own products, if the motors are out of warranty.
And, because we offer reasonable rates, and very reliable service!
And, the BBB report...
I am no longer a member of BBB, as I didn't think the organization was helping my company. I don't need the BBB to keep me honest, as honest business, is the only way I do business!
But, the BBB still ranks my company, with an A- rating, and zero complaints against me.
The A- ranking, is because I don't pay, to belong to their service, as the report specifically says there are no complaints against my company! With zero complaints, in their reporting history, if I continued to be a paying member, the rating would be A+
BBB link for Shutter Motor Service: