automatic coop door opener

[slillie]

Nice. Love the ingenuity! Thanks for your insights. Best of 2013 to you..

 

[KDK1]

Just curious what do you use to supply 12 volts to the motor in the coop?

It's simply plugged into 120VAC.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Quote: Step down transformer plugged into 120 volt to generate 12 volts I suppose?

 

[KDK1]

Step down transformer plugged into 120 volt to generate 12 volts I suppose?

OK.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Okay, if anyone is still checking this thread, I have a question: Our coop door is like an old screen door from a house and it is full sized. It is what we and the chickens go through to get in/out each day. Are there any automatic openers that I could attach to it? I am mostly interested so that we could be away for a couple of days and our "chicken sitters" wouldn't have to make two trips to our house but just one to check feed/water/eggs.

Any ideas suggestions/thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Zanna]

Is the screen door metal on the bottom or screen? Either way you would have to cut a hole in it to instal the auto door that we have and LOVE!!! Check out www.chickendoors.com

Has worked flawlessly for us for 3 years. We have a small battery attached to it and a small solar panel to keep it charged.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Is the screen door metal on the bottom or screen? Either way you would have to cut a hole in it to instal the auto door that we have and LOVE!!! Check out www.chickendoors.com

Has worked flawlessly for us for 3 years. We have a small battery attached to it and a small solar panel to keep it charged.

Thanks. I may end up having to go that route but what I am really looking for is something that I can attach to the existiting door which is a swinging/hinged door. Surely there is something out there for that type of door?

 

[init4eggs]

This is the one I built. It is powered by the add-a-motor connected to a timer. Very secure. Been working fine for a year now

Pretty cool setup, good idea to use a cutting board for the door. I got a couple questions, what did you use for the locking pegs, and can you confirm the lock works just by gravity. How hard was it to find the pivot point for the locks, and hints or advice to others trying to duplicate it?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Thanks. I may end up having to go that route but what I am really looking for is something that I can attach to the existiting door which is a swinging/hinged door. Surely there is something out there for that type of door?

This is the only door I've seen that swings, the "pullet shut door" http://chickendoors.com/products.php

I love KDK1's system, but I'm really old and need to do something quickly. I plan on having my door open from the inside, so that an animal can't lift from the bottom. Though, they still might be able to push it up with the friction of the palm of their hands, but I'm hoping it'll work.

 

[jojomojo]

Thanks. I may end up having to go that route but what I am really looking for is something that I can attach to the existiting door which is a swinging/hinged door. Surely there is something out there for that type of door?

I don't see any reason why you couldn't attach the pullet shut door to an existing door as long as the bottom portion is not glass or screen (some have a solid metal panel at the bottom, this is what the person above was asking about). Mine is on the side of the coop, but I could have just as easily installed it on the people door to the coop.