Outdoor Living Guides & Tips

What Are the Helios™ Motor Options?

The Helios™ motor options are the three factory motor configurations available on the Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System by Shademaker Retractables: Altus Non-Override, 4-Wire Non-Override, and 4-Wire Override. Every Helios™ ships motorized — there is no manual-crank version — so the question at order time is not whether to motorize, but which motor and control method fits your patio, your wiring, and your storm plan. All three options are included in the Helios™ base price at 1800Awnings.com, listed at $0.00 on the selector, so this is a pure engineering choice rather than a budget one.

1800Awnings, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, sells the Helios™ factory-direct with free shipping to all 48 contiguous states. The awning itself runs from $4,655 (12' wide × 10'-6" projection) to $9,757 (29' × 12'-0"), with widths from 12 to 29 feet and two projection depths. This guide explains what each Helios™ motor option does, how the three differ, and which one Tampa Bay and Florida buyers should choose.

Helios™ Motor Options: Key Specifications

Why the Helios™ Motor Options Stand Out

Motorization Is Standard, Not an Upsell

On many retractable awnings, motorization is a $600–$900 upgrade over a hand crank. The Helios™ is engineered as a motorized system from the ground up — its dual cable tension arm system and adjustable front bar pitch are designed around powered operation — so the motor is built into the price. You pick the configuration you want at checkout and pay nothing extra.

Altus RTS: Wireless Control With No Wall Switch

The Altus Non-Override option uses a Somfy® radio-controlled tubular motor with the RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) receiver built into the motor head. That means only a power feed runs to the awning; there is no low-voltage control wire and no wall switch to install. You operate the Helios™ from a handheld RTS remote, and the same radio platform accepts the Somfy wind, rain, and sun sensors and LED kits sold on the Helios - Options page. For most homeowners, this is the simplest and most popular configuration.

4-Wire: Hardwired Reliability and Third-Party Integration

A 4-wire motor has no radio receiver inside. It is controlled directly by switching power to its up and down leads, which makes it the right choice when a licensed electrician is running the job to a wall switch, a commercial building controller, or a home-automation relay. Commercial operators — restaurants, hotels, and clubs — often prefer 4-wire because the control point is fixed, can't be lost like a remote, and is easy to tie into an existing building system.

Override: Retract It by Hand When the Power Is Out

The 4-Wire Override option adds a manual crank override to the hardwired motor. If a storm knocks out power while the awning is extended, you disengage the motor with the crank and roll the Helios™ in by hand. In Florida, where afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane-season outages are routine, this is the single most practical difference between the three options — a large-span awning left extended in a gusting storm is the most common cause of arm and fabric damage.

One Motor Choice, One Warranty Path

Because the motor is specified at the factory and installed by Shademaker Retractables in the roller tube, there is no field retrofit and no mismatch between motor torque and awning span. 1800Awnings confirms the correct motor rating for your exact width and projection at order time.

Altus vs. 4-Wire Non-Override vs. 4-Wire Override: Which Helios™ Motor Should You Choose?

Our recommendation for Florida: choose the Altus Non-Override if you want wireless convenience and plan to add a Somfy wind sensor (the sensor retracts the awning automatically before wind becomes a problem). Choose the 4-Wire Override if you want a hardwired switch and the ability to retract by hand when the power is out. Choose the 4-Wire Non-Override for commercial jobs where a building controller handles operation and outages are covered by backup power.

Helios™ Pricing With Motor Included (2026)

Because every motor option is $0.00, the Helios™ price is the complete motorized price. Representative sizes from the product page:

Optional extras priced separately: Somfy wirefree sensors ($263–$407), LED lighting kits ($682), a protective hood with end covers, and roof-mount brackets. See the Helios - Options page for current add-on pricing.

Who Are the Helios™ Motor Options Best For?

• Tampa Bay homeowners with a large patio or pool deck who want wireless remote operation and Somfy sensor automation — Altus Non-Override.
• Coastal and storm-prone Florida properties that want a hand-crank fallback when the grid goes down — 4-Wire Override.
• Restaurants, hotels, and outdoor-dining operators integrating the awning into a building control system — 4-Wire Non-Override or Override.
• Smart-home owners who want the awning on a relay, scene, or schedule — either 4-wire option, or Altus with a Somfy bridge.
• Retrofit installs where running control wire is impractical — Altus, since only a power feed is needed.

How to Order the Helios™ With Your Motor Option

1. Measure your available mounting width and decide between the 10'-6" and 12'-0" projection.
2. Open the Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System product page and select your width and projection.
3. Choose your motor on the Helios - Motor Options selector: Altus Non-Override, 4-Wire Non-Override, or 4-Wire Override.
4. Add any sensors, LED kits, hood, or roof-mount brackets you want from the Helios - Options page.
5. Check out — free shipping to all 48 contiguous states, typical 2–3 week lead time, made to order.
6. Have a 120 V circuit ready at the awning location before delivery. Not sure which motor to pick? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) and we'll confirm it for your exact size.

Frequently Asked Questions About Helios™ Motor Options

What is the difference between the Altus and 4-wire Helios™ motors?
The Altus is a Somfy radio (RTS) motor with the receiver built into the motor head, so it is operated by a wireless handheld remote and needs only a power feed. A 4-wire motor has no built-in receiver and is operated by switching power to its up and down leads from a wall switch or external controller, which requires a control wire run to the awning.

How does the manual override on the Helios™ work?
The 4-Wire Override motor includes a crank-driven override. During a power outage, you engage the crank at the motor end of the roller tube and roll the awning in or out by hand. The Altus and 4-Wire Non-Override motors have no manual backup and can only be operated with power.

Can I add Somfy wind, rain, or sun sensors to any Helios™ motor option?
Yes. With the Altus, Somfy wirefree RTS sensors pair directly to the motor. With either 4-wire option, the sensors require an external Somfy RTS receiver wired between the switch leg and the motor. 1800Awnings can supply the receiver with your order.

How much does it cost to motorize the Helios™?
Nothing beyond the awning price. All three motor options are listed at $0.00 at 1800Awnings.com, and every Helios™ is motorized as standard. The complete motorized Helios™ runs $4,655 to $9,757 depending on width and projection.

Which Helios™ motor is best for Florida?
For most Tampa Bay homes, the Altus Non-Override paired with a Somfy Eolis 3D wind sensor is the best combination, because the sensor retracts the awning automatically before damaging gusts arrive. If you want a hardwired switch plus a hand-crank fallback for hurricane-season outages, choose the 4-Wire Override.

Can I control the Helios™ from my phone or smart-home system?
Yes. The Altus works with Somfy's RTS smart-home bridges, and the 4-wire options can be driven directly by a home-automation relay or building controller. Tell us your platform at order time and we'll recommend the right configuration.

Does the Helios™ come with a manual hand crank instead of a motor?
No. The Helios™ is a motorized-only system. The dual cable tension arms and adjustable front bar pitch are designed around powered operation. The only manual capability is the crank override on the 4-Wire Override option, intended for outages rather than everyday use.

Can I switch motor types after the awning is built?
The motor is installed in the roller tube at the factory, so changing it later means a field motor replacement. It is far better to decide at order time. If you are unsure, call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) and describe your wiring and how you plan to use the awning.

Bottom Line

The Helios™ motor options come down to two decisions: wireless or hardwired, and whether you want a manual override. The Altus Non-Override gives you a Somfy RTS wireless motor with no control wiring and direct sensor compatibility — the right pick for most residential patios. The 4-Wire options give you a fixed, hardwired control point that integrates cleanly with commercial and smart-home systems, and the Override version adds a hand crank for the outages that Florida storm season reliably delivers.

Because all three configurations are included in the Helios™ price — $4,655 to $9,757 for a fully motorized system up to 29 feet wide and 12 feet deep — you can choose purely on function. For Tampa Bay and Florida buyers, our default advice is Altus plus a wind sensor, or 4-Wire Override if you want the crank. Either way, you're getting a large-span, adjustable-pitch retractable awning that is motorized from day one.

Configure your Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System at 1800Awnings.com →
Questions about which motor to choose? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).

Written by Corey Courtright | 1800Awnings.com | Tampa, FL