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#1 is great, though the problem you mention is legit and makes me think it is subject to failure. #2 is awesome. I like the implementation of the light sensor to trigger the window actuator. A solid build.

I had been using two timers at first, but then realized that only one was necessary. Basically, the timer decides when to activate the relay, which switches the polarity of the motor. I discovered only one was necessary after setting up my third door. I've done 4 setups now, all using the same...

Boy, and I thought my wiring was advanced!

Here are some pics of a door I just completed for some friends. The total cost of materials, not including some recycled materials I had laying around was just under $70. I am very happy with the door design. I am actually going to remount the motor above the door, under the eave of the roof...

After losing 3 hens to raccoons/possums on 3 occasions, two which were break in's to the hen house, I decided to design a better coop door. For a while, I was working on a threaded rod design, but I ran into complications due to wobbling of the rod and that affecting the whole system...

I think if cost in not really an option, why not go for those auto door systems already made. I think, as has been stated before, our goal is creating a kind of home made, affordable option. The more this thread goes on, the more I realize, there's probably a different design for every...

Quote: Ahh yes! The ole turning theory into reality. This my friend is the challenge! Good luck.

Quote: Well, one common aspect of our designs was to do it inexpensively. I bought a water timer last spring and they all range around $30. So, employing two of those, you can see it starts to get a little expensive.

Quote: You know, thats not a bad idea. A space at the bottom might be enough for them to see there's hope in trying, but not enough for most predators to get in if a locking mechanism was in place.

Quote: Sounds like a great concept, but obviously, your first question is the important one. And I have no experience. Maybe we need to set up some kind of chicken combine. Obstacles and such to test just what these guys are/aren't capable of!

I just wanted to say that my $11 (new) motor seems to be working great, very reliable for the task required. It works on 12v. There are lots listed on e-bay. I have bought two now. The first was a slow 5 rpm, and I have one on the way that is 60 rpm for another design. That $11 price included...

Door Opens Door Closes Sorry for the loud siren noise! Sounds like I live in The Ghetto. Dave

Photos of the installed door. I'll post a couple videos now.

Quote: I found a piece of hollow metal rod at the local recycling place, same place I found the threaded rod. The thread rod fits in it with some room to spare. I figured I could hack it to a size that would fit over the thread rod in between the two fixed nuts (refer to my photos). It...

Quote: Yep. I thought of this. I think I am gonna sit back for now and let the thing work as is. But I will consider modifications to prevent a major meltdown. I like the "pull the door closed" with a pulley idea because it keeps the door from being opened by the craftiest raccoon.

I installed the door today, wired everything up and set up the timers. I ran a few tests and altered the door frame slightly by putting a couple of pieces of wood between the frame and the coop to get the lower part of the frame slightly slanting out. This was because when the spool rod lowered...

Quote: It works!!! Wow. That was a lot of re-wiring. But I am happy. I will finalize all the connections and set it up tomorrow. Thanks Lyndon! Whew!

Quote: I don't know how comfortable you are with schematic diagrams, Dave, but that's what I was trying to show in this drawing: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1197431#p1197431 Sorry, I forgot I wasn't on my usual electronics forums so automatically dropped into...

Quote: Good point about the ice. Now that I think about it, I could see how ice could gum up the line on the spool as well. Maybe putting Vaseline on it would help. I am not sure if I will have to worry about that here. But its something to look out for. I am still trying to get my mind...

Quote: I wired the DPDT relay as follows: 1 was connected to 3 2 was connected to 4 1 and 2 were also wired out to power source and timer 1. 5 and 6 are wired out to motor. 7 and 8 are wired out to power source and timer 2. Timer 1 controls the flow of current to motor. Timer 2 controls the...