ADOR1 Automatic Coop Door?

[pfields]

I've got two of the Ador1 automatic door openers. I've not tried to open or close mine manually by pushing up or down on the door. That doesn't sound like a good idea. I do use the silicone spray that they recommend on the sides every 4-6 months. I have pushed the button to make mine open sooner in the morning or close at night earlier. I wish mine would open sooner in the morning then it does. It closes at night just fine. My door faces north so maybe that has something to do with it not opening earlier in the morning. When it's cloudy but still past time for them to get out they start to fuss. Right now it opens around 7 am and closes around 8:15 pm.

The only thing I would like to change about the door is the option to use a timer that I could set to open at a certain time and close at a certain time. My chickens got closed out of their coop in a bad storm, too. The lightening, rain and wind was so bad we didn't want to go outside to open it but my husband did. If we were gone and this had happen my chickens would have been locked out of their coop and would not have had a safe place to go.

I like the doors and I'm glad that I have them. Just a few tweaks and they would be perfect. Batteries seem to last a long time.

Have you called Rod? He's always been nice to work with any problems I've come across.

 

[Gryphon]

Yeah my girls got locked out of the coop more than once because of a storm blowing in (Iowa gets some super thick heavy clouds so it tricks the door into thinking it's night), also had heavy cloud cover come in at the evening so the girls got locked out since they didn't think it was bedtime yet but the door did. Since the battery was already draining so fast every time I didn't want to have the last call option on.

I emailed Rod and he agreed there was something wrong with the first motor, but hasn't emailed back yet about the second one. Just seems odd that the door can slide so easily and yet the motor can't lift it.

 

[tcstoehr]

Necroing this thread because I posted here before about the ADOR1. I've had ongoing issues with the motor acting "sticky" and draining batteries like crazy. Reading the instructions, I found that you're supposed to be able to lift the door manually without power but it was impossible to do with the motor still attached. So I ordered a new one, and now I can slide it up...But it won't lift the door on its own power. It just whirrs and tries to open, but when it's lifted it can close on its own just fine. Since the biggest reason I want the automatic door is so it will open in the morning, this isn't making me happy. Also, it has a new trick where it slams down, as seen here:

The door should not be able to free-fall like that. At first I thought the door had disengaged from the sprocket but I can see the sprocket spin as the door falls. I must then suspect that the sprocket is loosened from the motor's drive shaft. There is an Allen screw that holds the sprocket tightly to the motor's drive shaft. Have you tried tightening that? That screw being loose is the most likely issue to cause the door to fall like that. It would cause all sorts of issues.
I think I also saw the sprocket 'pop' a few times out of the drive holes. This will happen when the lid is off because the lid holds the bottom platform steady. With the top off and the motor spinning the door up, the motor itself is forced down which moves it and the sprocket away from the drive holes and you get slipping. You can just clasp the motor platform with your left hand to avoid this. With the lid installed this should NOT happen.

Opening the door manually should be possible. I can do it by inserting a nail into one of the drive holes and very firmly lifting up.

 

[tcstoehr]

The only thing I would like to change about the door is the option to use a timer that I could set to open at a certain time and close at a certain time. My chickens got closed out of their coop in a bad storm, too. The lightening, rain and wind was so bad we didn't want to go outside to open it but my husband did. If we were gone and this had happen my chickens would have been locked out of their coop and would not have had a safe place to go.

I like the doors and I'm glad that I have them. Just a few tweaks and they would be perfect. Batteries seem to last a long time.

Have you called Rod? He's always been nice to work with any problems I've come across.

I have told Rod that he absolutely MUST provide a timer option. Other than the lightbulb-in-a-box solution that he has on his web site. He has told me that he was going to do it, it is actually quite simple but it's a matter of economics and priorities. He is an extremely busy person and has multiple priorities.

Batteries will last for-freaking-ever... if your circuit board is functional. Mine was not. I measured the milliamps it was drawing and found it was using like 20 times more than expected. I ordered a new board and that one was fine. I can't say for sure whether the first board was faulty from the factory or maybe I did something to it with my own tinkering. But there have been a few other reports of excessive battery consumption.

I never liked those bulky lantern batteries which barely fit and make the connections difficult. I've used a couple of other battery options which is how I discovered my previous milliamp problem. Here are a couple alternatives I have used. Two 18650 Li-ions in the first picture and 4 D-cells in the second. The D-cells will likely wear out before they're actually drained. Both battery configurations make the alligator-clip connections much easier as they free up some space.

 

[Gryphon]

I must then suspect that the sprocket is loosened from the motor's drive shaft. There is an Allen screw that holds the sprocket tightly to the motor's drive shaft. Have you tried tightening that?

I haven't tried that, I'll give it a shot when I get home, thanks!

I'm reluctant to just poke and prod in the fear that I'll REALLY break something instead of it just being a tweaking issue.

Oh I forgot to ask, does anyone else not have the ador beep? My new one doesn't, although the LED light flashes.

 

[colburg]

I've had my door for over 2 years now and we're still very happy with it. Only changed the battery 1 time.

It still beeps and functions just like it was brand new.

Hope you get it working soon. It's worth every penny IMO.

 

[NapaChicknGal]

Anyone have an Ador door? I'm leaning twds trying it since my area is away from house and elec. And also, I'm cheap (frugal) and am in process of getting a metal shed for my 9 gals -- thnx everyone, Pat

 

[Toddrick]

Anyone have an Ador door?   I'm leaning twds trying it since my area is away from house and elec.   And also, I'm cheap (frugal) and am in process of getting a metal shed for my 9 gals -- thnx everyone, Pat

Yea, it's pretty great. Love it. Plug and play.

I use expensive Duracel 6v batteries though, and the first one didn't even last six months. I don't have the last call option on either, it is all default. My first battery could've been a fluke, but even if I have to change batteries four times a year I still love it.

 

[lynnehd]

X2
Mine is working like a charm. I do have the Last Call option.
About 3 months on this battery, and I've got my back up ready.

 

[RJSorensen]

I have one of these as well, I like it/them a great deal.

RJ