automatic door

[j3707]

I know the topic of automatic doors has been beat to death in this forum. I just want to understand what I am ordering before I order and this forum seems to have the people that have knowledge about every coop issue. I am being picky and willing to spend the extra money because I will not have easy access to fix a problem with a door opener because the way my coop is configured. So... does this sound like I can truly run it with a battery or should I look at another product that is hopefully shown to be very reliable? Thanks much!


Yep, sounds like you would be fine running this on a 12 volt battery...and adding a solar panel and charge controller to keep the battery charged up would make things mighty convenient for you.

Otherwise you'll want a couple deep cycle 12v batteries and a 12v deep cycle charger. You'll want a charged-up spare for when the one in use runs low.

I'd go with the solar panel.

 

[jennh]

Quote:

Oh, my word!!!! That is very EXPENSIVE!!!!! EXHORBITANT!!!
You can get one much cheaper at

http://www.discounthomeautomation.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Coop-Motor-AAD20

I have two from there, and didn't pay what you will pay for the price of ONE!!!

Jen

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We bought our first automatic door from Well's Poultry in the UK, before Foy's started carrying them. I think it was about 4 years ago. They're set up to do business with customers in the states. They shipped fast, it arrived fast and there were no problems. If Foy's is out of stock and Well's has what you really want, that's always an option. It just depends on what you want.

We have an elevated coop door. When I designed it, I planned on using deep litter in it. The elevated door keeps litter and snow out of the doorway. The run is also covered next to the coop, which helps keep blowing snow away from the door. I still go check it after a blizzard.

If a person wants to add winter lighting to a coop without electricity, I would think LED would be a great way to go. I don't know how well the solar chargers work, but using less electricity seems like it would be a good idea.

Everyone wants different things in an automatic door. So many of the choices are quite different. Do you want a timer or a light sensor? Or both? Do you have electricity or need a battery? Do you live where it's cold in the winter and some batteries don't work well? Will you need to buy a solar charger, in addition to the door, a separate battery, a timer and the opener? Do you have a door and only want the opener? Do you need the door and the opener, but no lighting? Do you need the door, the opener, a light sensor, lighting and a timer for the lighting? All these options work for somebody. Just make sure you look at all the things you'll need when comparing costs between options. Some of them start to add up.

 

[pdcttc]

Quote:
What they are telling you is you is that their unit runs on 12 volt dc . the transformer changes the 120volt ac power to 12 volt dc. Since you wil be running it straight off your battery which is dc ( but make sure it is 12 volt), they suggest you cut the transformer off and wire it directly to your battery. I assume the other end has a plug, kinda like a headphone jack, that you would plug into the controler.
You would not need a inverter because a inverter changes dc power to ac power.
Hope this helps