Building my automatic coop door opener. Wifi, Open source, ~$60

[gpop1]

Update:

Door opens and closes daily so I'm confident the code is right. I've add three new sensors, two temperature/humidity sensors and one water proof temperature sensor. With these I'll be able to tell the temperature/humidity in and outside the coop as well as my water temperature for the winter.

looking good.

 

[detz]

I'm probably getting this kit. It doesn't have the sensors I want, but it has all the other miscellaneous stuff. Do you buy your sensors individually or is there a sensor kit that you recommend?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00P2E9W30/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ADHH624DX2Q66

You could get a kit like that, if anything it will teach what things do what and how to hook them up. Like gpop1 said, you're best option is to find a project you want to build and find the sensors/parts that are required for that and learn from experience. I usually get my parts from either http://sparkfun.com, https://www.adafruit.com/ or ebay

 

[detz]

Installed it in the coop yesterday and it's working great; closed and opened the door exactly at sunset + 30 minutes and sunrise.

2015-06-15 05:06:48,900 - INFO - Door should be open based on time
2015-06-15 05:06:48,905 - INFO - Opening door
2015-06-15 05:07:22,360 - INFO - Top sensor triggered
2015-06-15 05:07:22,365 - INFO - Stop door
2015-06-15 05:07:22,371 - INFO - Door is open
2015-06-15 05:10:58,772 - INFO - Water temp: 66.761600
2015-06-15 05:10:59,914 - INFO - Temp=63.1*F Humidity=59.5% Inside
2015-06-15 05:11:02,997 - INFO - Temp=61.9*F Humidity=65.2% Outside

 

[MrStop]

Great work! I have never done an arduino / rasberry Pi project, but I have always wanted to and have been thinking the coop is a great opportunity for this. I'm going to use a linear actuator (something like this) as it will be a side-swing door.

I have some questions:

1. Have you thought about, and is it possible to add lighting timer function?
2. Are you data-logging the temp / humidity settings, or is it just real-time display only?
3. Do you have a manual override to open/close the door in case of failure or you want to do coop maintenance?
4. I saw one commercial door operator add a "second chance" feature to the door closing at dusk which opens the door about 5 mins after close to allow any stray chickens in. Is it possible to program this?
5. How about adding some type of buzzer/chime that signals the chickens that the door is about to close and for them to get into the house (maybe 1-2 minutes prior to door close)?

 

[detz]

Linear actuator are nice but they expensive. The one you listed is only 6" which if you go side to side might be enough.

To answer your questions:

• Have you thought about, and is it possible to add lighting timer function?

The original plan was to use light sensors but in the end I felt tuning it to sunrise/sunset was more accurate.

• Are you data-logging the temp / humidity settings, or is it just real-time display only?

Logging, door open/close and all three temperatures are logged in a database. I'm working on a simple interface but I doubt I'll look at it, email alerts are better for me.

• Do you have a manual override to open/close the door in case of failure or you want to do coop maintenance?

Yeah, in the video I think I explain how it works. If you hold one of the buttons down it goes into manual mode so you can open/shut it when ever you want. It stays in manual mode for an hour before converting back to auto mode.

• I saw one commercial door operator add a "second chance" feature to the door closing at dusk which opens the door about 5 mins after close to allow any stray chickens in. Is it possible to program this?

Yeah, easy to do and if I find that chickens are not making it in I'll add something like that.

• How about adding some type of buzzer/chime that signals the chickens that the door is about to close and for them to get into the house (maybe 1-2 minutes prior to door close)?

I was planning on buzzer or bell if they didn't come in but I haven't noticed in my manual tests that any of the birds were outside when the door started to shut. Again, if I notice they're not going in I'll work on something like this

 

[MrStop]

Thanks for the prompt response. As to the lighting, I was actually referring to coop lighting to extend egg laying into the dark months.

 

[detz]

Ah, yeah, I'm on the fence about this but I would simply use a relay to drive a normal light and similar on/off controls based off time of light needed.

 

[gpop1]

looks real good and im glad everything is working. Its always a good idea to get something working then decide In the future if things need to be tweaked or changed, Ive had to go back and tweak my program a few times to cover something that I never thought of or to make the interface more user friendly. Plus theres always more toys to add..lol

 

[Mouthpear]

Nice.


Built this one for just over $45.

• String won't break.
• Super easy to mount
• It locks.
• And it has a fall arrest system. Just in case the stainless steel wire rope breaks( NEVER WILL, Unlike regular string might), it won't become a guillotine. Will probably never need it but it's there. LOL

$20 MHCOZY 4CH WIFI AND RF REMOTE
$7 Fishing Leaders
$10.99 Adjustable Picture Hanging Wire kit
$6.99 Thrust Bearing


Everything else was free since I already had it. Including prices only because If someone wants to do it this way they can. But the main part are relatively easy to get.

Will Need:

$8.99 PWM DC 6V 12V 24V 28V 3A Motor Speed Control Switch Controller
or
$4.83 DC Motor Controller, PWM Professional DC Motor Speed Controller DC 12V-30V 7A Large Power for Adjust The Voltage


All of this can be take from an old power wheels kids ride on toy.

• $18.98 12V motor and gears for Power Wheels
• $14.99 Wheel Hub Driver
• $6.80 Power Wheels .437 Retainer Cap
• $8.08 7/16 in. x 36 in. Plain Round Rod

Adding these parts but they are not necessary, they can be made
$11.99 Momentary Limit Switch Roller Lever
$9.99 Inductive Probe PL-08N2 Inductive Proximity Sensor

 

[Mouthpear]

Linear actuator are nice but they expensive.

@$35 they are not that expensive. Especially when you get way more bang for your buck.

• Security
• built in limit switches
• locks in place when needed
• if breaks it won't become a guillotine

use a relay to drive a normal light and similar on/off controls

Use a motor hat. You can control lights on/off or dim over time.