- Thread starter
- #211
Well, it happened again this morning. Chickens were out really early. Wife: nope. Mother next door: nope.
Went out to do some inspecting. The pin was pulled successfully but the door was hung up in the slider.
I'm going to add another layer of wax to the guides and the plastic and keep the pin oiled. A few months ago my notification flag broke off (the one that is reflective tape pointing at the house and signals to me if the door is open or closed when I shine a flashlight toward it). I'm going to replace it and do a better job of checking nightly that it close successfully.
The first 4 years we had chickens we went out every night to close them up. Now that I've got this auto closer I've become super lazy and spoiled.
I may create a whole new design, but this one works almost flawlessly. The two problems I have had could be permanently solved with relatively small fixes:
1) Lightweight door: I needed a lightweight door (plexiglass) because with a heavier door the pin couldn't be pulled. Also, when I used a heavier door I didn't like how hard it slammed closed. I do get worried that coons could just rip the door out of the frame since the plexiglass isn't very strong.
2) Pin sticks / doesn't pull: Related to the above, there was a time the pin didn't pull closed. I think using a higher amperage wall adapter could supply a lot more power to the actuator to pull any pin, even with a heavier door.
3) Door sticks: I could get or build a much better door with better guides and a better door.
Went out to do some inspecting. The pin was pulled successfully but the door was hung up in the slider.
I'm going to add another layer of wax to the guides and the plastic and keep the pin oiled. A few months ago my notification flag broke off (the one that is reflective tape pointing at the house and signals to me if the door is open or closed when I shine a flashlight toward it). I'm going to replace it and do a better job of checking nightly that it close successfully.
The first 4 years we had chickens we went out every night to close them up. Now that I've got this auto closer I've become super lazy and spoiled.
I may create a whole new design, but this one works almost flawlessly. The two problems I have had could be permanently solved with relatively small fixes:
1) Lightweight door: I needed a lightweight door (plexiglass) because with a heavier door the pin couldn't be pulled. Also, when I used a heavier door I didn't like how hard it slammed closed. I do get worried that coons could just rip the door out of the frame since the plexiglass isn't very strong.
2) Pin sticks / doesn't pull: Related to the above, there was a time the pin didn't pull closed. I think using a higher amperage wall adapter could supply a lot more power to the actuator to pull any pin, even with a heavier door.
3) Door sticks: I could get or build a much better door with better guides and a better door.