C-Series motorized shades include an integrated solar panel that helps maintain battery charge during normal operation. In most installations with regular daylight exposure, the shade is designed to operate without needing routine manual charging.
Battery performance may vary depending on how and where the shade is installed.
What to expect under normal conditions
With regular indirect or direct sunlight:
the integrated solar panel charges the internal battery
manual charging is typically not required
the shade should operate normally throughout daily use
Shades installed in brighter locations generally maintain charge more consistently than those installed in low-light areas.
When manual charging may be needed
Manual charging using a USB-C cable may be required if:
the shade receives limited natural light
the window faces a shaded direction
the shade is installed behind heavy exterior obstructions
the shade is used frequently throughout the day
seasonal daylight hours are reduced
What to expect when the battery level is too low
When the battery level is low, a blinking red light is seen on the shades control panel while the shade is moving.
When the battery level drops to around 10% of the battery capacity, the shade can no longer be raised. It can be lowered for the purposes of charging via the USB-C charging port.
If the battery level becomes too low (less than 5% of the battery capacity), the shade will automatically move to the fully lowered position to be recharged via the USB-C charging port.
To recover operation: connect the shade to a power source via the USB-C port.
Once the battery is charged to 25% of the internal battery capacity, normal operation of the shade is possible.
The USB-C port lights up when connected to a power supply:
Amber when the battery level is low
Green when the battery level is high or full
Typical charging expectations
Depending on lighting conditions and usage:
well-lit installations may not require manual charging
moderate-light installations may need occasional charging
low-light installations may require periodic charging
Charging frequency will vary by environment.
Tips to maintain adequate battery levels
To support continued normal operation:
install the shade where the solar panel can receive regular daylight
avoid blocking the solar panel with trim or coverings
check battery level periodically in the Mado Home app
recharge with a USB-C cable if the shade reports low battery
If the shade does not receive enough light to maintain charge through normal operation, occasional manual charging is expected.