DIY : Automatic Chicken Door

[jballone]

I put together a little video showing how you can make an automatic chicken door with a power car antenna and a timer in hopes it inspires you to add one to your coop!

Here's a list of the parts I used:
Power Car Antenna: http://amzn.to/2ioEJmb
12V Timer: http://amzn.to/2g4yinl
12V Battery: http://amzn.to/2wlWkRm
Wire Connectors: http://amzn.to/2ipEp6M
Kreg Jig: http://amzn.to/2w40GKz

If you find the video helpful, please give it a "Thumbs Up" on Youtube. I would also like to hear some feedback on the design: Pro's & Con's, etc
Thanks

 

[cavemanrich]

Nice. I have seen similar projects done on a shoestring budget using bone yard antennas. $5 Timer and battery ...... well that you need new. so add +- $25. Your way costs about under $60.
The $100 kreg jig not totally necessary, and not cost effective unless you can use for many other crafts.
Cant give you a thumbs up, since I don't have a You Tube account. But I do like your video..

 

[igorsMistress]

That's a very cool video, thanks so much for sharing! I've shown it to hubs, we need this by winter!

 

[jballone]

Thanks. I've got the solar components in so I'll be doing another video showing this. Once the solar is added it should be fairly maintenance free.

 

[igorsMistress]

Thanks. I've got the solar components in so I'll be doing another video showing this. Once the solar is added it should be fairly maintenance free.

Yay I'll be watching for sure!

 

[Amber's loving chickens]

That is awesome! Love that idea

I put together a little video showing how you can make an automatic chicken door with a power car antenna and a timer in hopes it inspires you to add one to your coop!

Here's a list of the parts I used:
Power Car Antenna: http://amzn.to/2ioEJmb
12V Timer: http://amzn.to/2g4yinl
12V Battery: http://amzn.to/2wlWkRm
Wire Connectors: http://amzn.to/2ipEp6M
Kreg Jig: http://amzn.to/2w40GKz

If you find the video helpful, please give it a "Thumbs Up" on Youtube. I would also like to hear some feedback on the design: Pro's & Con's, etc
Thanks

 

[jballone]

Just a couple updates:

I've installed the solar panel and charge controller and it is working fantastic. Couldn't be happier. The charge controller keeps the battery topped off nicely. Here's a pic of the inside of the coop:

And the solar panel:

This installation was very easy due to the way the battery, timer and motor were originally installed. I mounted the panel to the coop with an old "Directv" dish mount. The panel was $24+/- and the controller was $10.

I changed up the motor control set-up and instead of using tape on the brass disc, I simply removed the disc and with a dremel cut-off wheel, removed the brass part of the disc which was under the tape. I was running into an issue were on hot days the tape would slide causing the antenna to move farther than what I wanted.

I plan on doing an entirely new video, showing me performing everything instead of just showing pictures/slides. This should be done in a few weeks and I will also cover the solar panel.

 

[jthornton]

Looking good, do you have a link to the solar panel and charge control?

JT

 

[jballone]

Here's the solar panel I used ($25.99): http://amzn.to/2x6HlKx
Charger controller ($9.88): http://amzn.to/2ybqYLy

The solar panel came with 3' wires attached so I replaced it with a longer section of outdoor extension cord that I quickly soldered to the back o the panel.

A pic of the mounting brackets I cut from 1/8" thick aluminum bought from the local building store.

Attaching solar panel to directv mount. Looks like amazon sells these mounts: http://amzn.to/2jvdZAN

Here's the panel mounted to the coop with a couple u-bolts. I may paint the mount and bolts flat black in the future?

Please don't flame me about using the chicken wire on the coop. The coop is right next to my house and we have a dog =)

 

[igorsMistress]

Thanks so much for the update! I've been showing this to my hubs and he's going to install your solar version once the new chicks join the flock.