A recognized panel can still fall behind
If the blind motor works but its battery falls over several days, separate two questions: does the motor recognize the panel, and does the window supply enough light for your normal number of moves? SwitchBot notes that low light and frequent opening or closing can cause the motor to consume more power than the panel replaces. One sunny afternoon or a visible sun icon does not prove a sustainable setup.
Keep a small log before moving anything
At a consistent time each day, record the app’s battery reading, whether the panel is recognized, and roughly how many blind movements occurred. Note shading from the blind, window frame, or nearby buildings. Give it several ordinary days, keeping the schedule and panel position unchanged. Then, if the panel is recognized but the battery trends down, try a brighter feasible placement at the same window without stretching the cable or interfering with the blind. Repeat the log with similar use.
Decide whether the problem follows the light
If the battery stabilizes after the move, keep the new position; a replacement panel is not the first purchase. If recognition never appears, check the manufacturer’s connection troubleshooting first. If recognition is consistent but every practical location still loses charge, plan on the manufacturer-supported manual charging routine rather than assuming an identical panel will make a shaded window bright enough. Check again in another season before treating a short trial as a year-round result.
See the manufacturer’s instructions. Related: check another SwitchBot window treatment’s travel limits.
