automatic door malfunctions?

[seminolewind]

My auto door is set up and works great-right on time. Then after a few days , it doesn't. I've tried everything, the thing is, it's running right on time for a few days. Then I go out one morning and it's closed, half the chickens in, half out. Last night it didn't close. What's wrong here?

 

[gardendufus]

Is this an auto door that you built or purchased? If purchased, from who? If you built it, could it be having a hard time with the weight of the door?

 

[seminolewind]

I bought the door motor. Built the rest. Added a timer. Could it be the timer?

 

[gardendufus]

Well, I really shouldn't even offer an opinion. I bought a commercial door because I knew I didn't have the construction/electronics expertise to do anything other than a 'plug n play' type door.

I suppose If the timer is relatively inexpensive, it might be the obvious thing to replace on a 'just in case' trial.

 

[featherz]

Is it the add a motor? I use my add a motor with an auto timer from wal-mart and when it's 'off' it's usually because a) someone used the button to manually open the door, thereby messing up the timing or b) a power failure caused the door to open or close at the wrong time. Both those things, however, would be related to the timer you are using to open the door. Does the door go up and down smoothly? My wood doors can get jammed if there's too much litter - also possibly the weather is causing the wood to swell?

Oh, wait, also check the little 'stop' that's on the add a motor. I think we had one that the 'stop' would get bumped, end up on the wrong place, and not close the door all the way.

 

[seminolewind]

It worked fine for 3 days, now tonight it closes on time and opens 10 minutes later! No one has touched it. I ordered another timer. It seems like after a few days, open becomes closed, etc.
Well the one I'm getting has a battery time backup. I'll see if that works.