Automatic Chicken Coop Doors

[cwelte]

That's awesome, thanks for the posting!
I saw that style of timer pop up in my search, but I'm curious about using two solar panels instead of one. (Are they cheaper if you gang them up?) I see the battery below, but what's to the right of the timer?

If you get time, can you post a parts list?

 

[Th55]

Solar panels not cheaper for two, but it doubles the current output from them when paralleled. I just had two laying around so I put them both on there.

The thing on the right is a relay installed to reverse the polarity to the actuator.

The timer has only one output contact so with this particular timer you would need a relay.

I set it up where the relay is energized during the day so the only load is the coil in the relay itself once the door is open.

Gonna let it ride a week or so then check the battery to ensure it's being charged.
Might do some load testing when I get in this PM to verify solar panel output and its self sufficient. Also gonna add a fuse to it just in case something goes wrong.

I'll post a parts list and draw the wiring out hopefully it will make sense if you need it, might be next week tho.

 

[speedy2020]

I like DIY automatic door, but end up buying ChickenGuard. The time put into isn't worth the trouble.

 

[Coop de Grass]

I like DIY automatic door, but end up buying ChickenGuard. The time put into isn't worth the trouble.

That is the absolute truth! I bought a chickenguard premium for my coop and it is reliable and easy to use. You can manually open and close when you need to do that at the drop of a hat. Their customer service is incredible! I had the string tangle, and they sent out the new one before I hung up the phone.

I then bought an Automatic Chicken Coop Door kit, which came with everything you needed to install it. I was going to use it to have a door from the run into the exterior protected formerly grassy area. It sat for 2 years until I tripped over your post. I installed it yesterday... it requires electricity... then I thought about outages, etc... I am going to switch the power source to solar which is becoming a bit of a pain. Wish I had just bought another chicken guard. It runs on double A batteries! I just set my calendar reminder to switch them out, I don't wait for the blinking light to tell me they are dying.

Chickenguard is the way to go!

 

[cwelte]

I can appreciate the "one and done" solutions, but I find joy is in the process and the ability to completely over-engineer a project (for the least amount of money).

That said, I know this is how the project will pan out: I'll spend a little cash now, built it myself, it'll work "ok" for a while (just long enough for me to really depend on it), then it'll die and I'll end up spending MORE cash on a "one and done" solution.

 

[Coop de Grass]

I can appreciate the "one and done" solutions, but I find joy is in the process and the ability to completely over-engineer a project (for the least amount of money).

That said, I know this is how the project will pan out: I'll spend a little cash now, built it myself, it'll work "ok" for a while (just long enough for me to really depend on it), then it'll die and I'll end up spending MORE cash on a "one and done" solution.

After a year walking past the failed coolerbator project, I finally tossed it out last week! Got the cooler on freecycle, but bought all the other stuff! Hopefully that won't happen with the stuff I just ordered to make the Solar door opener!