Automatic door...

[DVTO2]

My coop is coming along and I realize that I will need an automatic door. I've browsed old posts and found a number of discussions, some quite long. Here's a summary of what I found with questions. I could get t by with a timer but a photo switch, if it worked consistently, would also be nice. I should mention that I am ok with wood but have limited electronic skills. Battery powered seems like a nice idea, as I am building a tractor.

1) There are some commercial kits that come in starting around $200. I don't know how well they work.

2) there is a nice description of a cordless screwdriver set up described here: http://www.fabiens.org/ckblog/?page_id=106. The only thing that puzzles me about this design is that the specific screwdriver he used is no longer available and I am not sure what is what on the circuit board he uses.

3) There are drapery motor designs. Links to detailed descriptions would be helpful.

4) There are car antenna designs. I'm not sure how long they last. Good detailed links would be helpful here.

5) The gold standard seems to be linear actuator designs. These can get pricey and I don't know how to wire them up, so again, a detailed description would be helpful.

 

[Dogfish]

I'll be watching this one for answers as well.

 

[DVTO2]

OK. Here's a link for a car antenna version: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/auto-coop-door-ii-antenna.php

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We bought ours and it's worked great for us, for several years. We got our first one from the UK, I think it was from Wells? It came right away, no problem. They seem like a very nice place to do business with. Foy's carries the same brand now, but they weren't available in the US back when we got ours. We also bought one from the manufacturer in Germany off their web site. I don't think they were set up to help people with questions that don't speak German, though.

We are currently using the indoor mount, with the photo sensor probe that goes through the wall to the outside. It works great for us. I wanted an indoor install, for added predator safety. Some people prefer the timer, but we didn't want to have to constantly adjust it as the day length changed.

The only time we had a chicken locked out was when my husband put scratch out in the run at bedtime. One of the girls stayed out to eat. So, don't feed them one of their favorite snacks outside at bedtime, just a few minutes before the door closes. What was he thinking...

I'm sure others can comment on the DIY options. We thought about it, but for a light sensor version that opened and closed, the savings of a DIY at the time wasn't worth it for my husband. Availability and pricing changes over time, plus not everyone has the same needs we do. DIY might work great for you and I'm sure you would get lots of help here. People here are great at helping you work through issues building incubators, coops, runs and anything else you want to do, even if you've never done it before.

No matter what you decide to buy or build, I would check to make sure the chickens all get in safely at night the first week. That way you know the door is working properly for you and that the chickens are not having any problems with it.

 

[Doopy]

Hi DVTO2.

I'm a (wayward) mechanical engineer who has abandoned my profession to work with my hands on the farm. Stress and burn-out is my excuse ;-) Actually I retired once but I love to work and especially farm work so I stay very busy. Electronics, electrical devices, and of course mechanical stuff is my hobby and I have designed many devices for my fellow farmers to try to make life more enjoyable on the typical farm.

I have been tinkering around with my own auto-door design but I have a job and also operate a small farm. My primary focus is to design something that is reliable, easy to maintain, 12 volt DC powered, and above all a simple design. As soon as I get my little project completed and thoroughly field tested I will share my door design with you. Spring is a very busy time for me and I don't often get to tinker at this time of year. Until then we'll continue to head out to the chicken barn to open or close the pop door twice a day like everyone else.

 

[gryeyes]

I've installed one of the battery-operated, light sensor type automatic doors in my new coop. (It's not occupied nor even completed, yet.) But I've been watching the door operate and am very pleased with it. It's gonna be great to have once I've moved everybody into that new coop!

Expensive, but worth it, for me. I was lucky enough to buy a used one from another BYCer.

 

[DVTO2]

I have to admit, without electrical experience I am looking at some of the commercial ones. This one is not too expensive:

http://www.add-a-motor.com/Model D20 Motor for Chicken Coop Doors.htm. I would add an automatic latch as in the link I have in the first post.

 

[TipsyDog]

I bought this one: http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/catalog/2100-2107.html

I got the outside mount with light sensor. It works on batteries and has been working perfectly for 10 months now on the same battery in temps well below freezing. I LOVE it. My girls get to go out at dawn and in the event I don't make it home, they are all safe in the coop at dusk. It was the best $200 I spent and I'm sure it will work for years to come. I don't know what I would do without it!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Think train wheel on a steam engine. http://cmfarm.us/AutomaticDoor.html

 

[DVTO2]

I am slowly yielding to the Foys solution, which at $250 (including their door to get their warranty), will cost twice the price of my coop materials, but it sounds like it would work.