Sidekick SKS-500 Slicer User Manual

Sidekick SKS-500 Slicer User Manual

Features

• Mix & match shade motor types on single remote
• Multiple channels can be selected and controlled simultaneously
• Control multiple devices in the same channel
• Pairs directly with the shade, but also works seamlessly with Bond Bridge Pro
• Limit-setting fully supported. No factory remote needed.
• Securely flush mounts to a wall with or without a junction box
• Compatible with standard decora cover plates
• Optionally functions as a handheld remote

Introduction

Sidekick is a 5-channel wireless keypad that can communicate with multiple motorized shade technologies directly. For ease-of-use, it is designed to work very similarly to the motor manufacturer’s remote controls. Sidekick is designed to work similarly to a Nice Era P remote control (the one with PRG and ESC buttons).

The main difference is that Sidekick does not have an ESC button. When following procedures from Nice motor documentation, press STOP and PAIR buttons together whenever pressing the ESC button is required.

Before using with Nice motors, Sidekick must first be configured to use Nice’s RF technology. For instructions on configuring technology, please see page 12 of this manual or the SKS-500 Quick Guide.

Package Contents and Technical Data

Package Contents

• 1 x Cover Plate
• 1 x Sidekick
• 1 x Wall Clip
• 2 x Phillips Head Screw
• 2 x Drywall Anchors
• 1 x Battery
• 1 x Back buttons press tool

Basic Operation

You may operate one or more channels at the same time. To deselect a channel, first select another one. It’s not possible to have no channel selected.

Select Channel

Deselect Channel

Channel Selection

You may operate one or more channels at the same time. To deselect a channel, first select another one. It’s not possible to have no channel selected.

Raise, Lower, Stop Shade, and Favorite Position

Setup with New Motors

Before starting any programming, move the shade to an intermediate position, away from the Top and Bottom limits.
When Top and Bottom limits are not set, the shade will only move while the directional (UP or DOWN) button is held.

Step 01: Put shades into “discovery mode”

All motors within Sidekick’s range with no controller or Sidekick memorized will move for random intervals.

Step 02: Set the UP button movement direction

Step 03: Set the DOWN button movement direction

Setup as an Additional Keypad (Remote Control)

 You can pair additional Sidekicks with your shade.
You will need to use the existing keypad (A) to introduce the new keypad (B) as shown below.

Step 01: Get motor ready to pair with already paired Sidekick

Step 02: Memorize new Sidekick

*If the shade moves 6 times, memory is locked or full, and Sidekick was not paired.

Advanced Operation

Save Favorite Position

The favorite position is called intermediate position in Nice’s documentation.

Step 01

Step 02

Step 03

Adjust Top Limit

Step 01

Step 02

Adjust Bottom Limit

Step 01

Step 02

Battery Replacement

1. Separate the Sidekick covers using a screw driver.
2. Once the back cover has been removed, use a screwdriver to assist in removing the battery. Ensure that the circuit board is not damaged during this process.
3. The replacement battery should have its label facing up. Check that the replacement battery has not been used or stored for more than a year. The battery lifespan of the SKS-500 will be reduced if it is stored for an extended period of time.

Linking with a Bond Bridge Pro

When paired with Bond Bridge Pro, Sidekick can update the state of your shades in the Bond Home app. To turn on this feature, link each Sidekick channel with the corresponding shade or shades on the Bond Home app.

To link your Sidekick with your Bond Home app you need to make sure that:

1. Your Bond Bridge Pro firmware is on version 3.1 or higher.
2. Your Bond Home app is updated to version 2.40.0 or higher.
3. You can control your shade from the Bond Home app.
4. You can control that same shade from the Sidekick*

If you cannot control the shade with Sidekick due to range or technology limitations, you may use Relay Mode to have Bond Bridge Pro transmit instead. See section 9.3.

Linking with Bond Bridge Pro on iOS

Linking with Bond Bridge Pro on Android

Mixing Motor Technologies

Sidekick supports a variety of motor technologies. Follow the instructions below to learn how to expand your Sidekick capabilities.

If at any time you wish to cancel the change, you may press the UP button to exit. If you enter an invalid code, or press any other key during the sequence, or there is no activity for 10 seconds, Sidekick will go back to normal operation without any change.

Changing technology for all channels

Changing technology only for specific channels

Step 01: Channel(s) Selection

Step 02: Setting Technology

Motor Technology Codes Table

Relay Mode

In Relay Mode, the specified channels of Sidekick keypad will not transmit any signal directly, instead relying on Bond Bridge Pro to send the signal to the shade. This is especially useful if you want Sidekick to control an All Shades channel where some shades are out of range of the Sidekick, because Bond Bridge Pro is usually in a more advantageous location for radio range.

To enable relay mode on all channels:

To enable relay mode only on currently selected channels:

To exit Relay Mode for any channel, simply set the channel back to the desired direct technology.

If your shade technology is supported by Sidekick, it is strongly recommended to operate Sidekick in direct mode rather than relay mode.

Safety and Legal

Trademark Notice
Bond, Bond Home, Sidekick, and Sidekick for Shades are trademarks of Olibra LLC. Nice, Era P, and other trademarks are the property of Nice S.p.A. (henceforth “Nice”). Decora is a trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. We use these trademarks in this User Manual for the express and limited purpose of elucidating the operation of our SKS-500 product. Our use of these trademarks should not be understood to constitute an endorsement by Nice or any other trademark rights-holder.

Safety
Improper installation or operation of this product may result in personal injury or property damage.

Please follow these instructions carefully including the following important safety notes:

This product contains a lithium coin cell battery. Please beware the following regarding this battery:

These batteries are small and can be a choking hazard for small children.

The chemicals inside the battery can cause fire, explosion, or severe burns if mishandled. Do not dispose of in fire, do not eat, and do not puncture. Dispose only in accordance with local regulations for hazardous materials.

These coin cell batteries are NOT rechargeable. Only replace with another non- rechargeable (“primary”) 3V lithium battery of size CR2430. Use of an unauthorized battery is unsafe and will void your warranty.

This product is designed to operate motorized shades, awnings, and pergolas. The movement of these shades or awnings may pose a physical threat to people in their vicinity. For this reason, please beware the following:

Please follow all manufacturer safety instructions regarding the installation, operation, and maintenance of your shade, awning, pergola, or similar appliance.

Do not permit children to operate this product. When installing on a wall, install at a height out of reach of small children.

Do not operate if under the influence of alcohol or other drugs which may impair reaction time or judgment.

Legal
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Olibra could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. For more information on avoiding interference, see the full manual. Hardware and firmware is Copyright © Olibra LLC, 2022. All rights reserved. Firmware includes ChibiOS/HAL Copyright © 2022 Giovanni Di Sirio, used under terms of the Apache License v2.0. Firmware also includes tiny printf library Copyright © 2014–2019, Marco Paland of PALANDesign Hannover, Germany, used under terms of the MIT License. For the text of the Apache and MIT licenses, see the full manual.

Bond, Bond Home, Sidekick, and Sidekick for Shades are trademarks of Olibra, LLC.
Designed by Olibra in New Jersey and Santa Catarina. Made in Vietnam.

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