Automatic chicken door

[Craxe77]

Hello all,

I just finished my automatic chicken door and wanted to post what I have so far. I copied this from a youtube video that I found and wanted to share my attempt. His was much better but I had a little trouble finding some of the components locally. His video is at

. A schematic of how to set up the electronics is at the end of the video.

I will be trying newer components among other things and cleaning it up a bit before I say the project is totally complete. I could have bought a nice one that looks so much better but where is the fun in that. Plus it's is much cheaper to make yourself.

I bought the following components:
- 12vdc motor - From newegg.com
- Two 12vdc DPDT relays - From Sears
- Two 250V 16A SPDT 1NO 1NC Long Straight Hinge Lever Switches - From Sears
- Timer Relay Switch Din Rail Mount Digital Weekly Programmable Timer DC/AC 12V
- Wooden Spool from arts and craft store
- Motor shaft mounting hub - from Pololu.com https://www.pololu.com/product/1997
- Wood scraps that I had lying around.

Here is the wiring and components without the cover.









I assembled the door out of scraps I had lying around. Here is a video. (I am not a professional)

Here is the cover I built to house it all.

 

[appps]

Well done! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Craxe77]

Thanks

 

[GBryant890]

I saved that video too. I think the only thing I'd do differently is to replace the lever switches with magnetic proximity switches. Less moving parts to go bad.

 

[Craxe77]

Good idea! I was thinking about that also. I was just about to order a couple of them. I'm going to keep my safety cut off switch at the top as a microswitch though.