DIY Chicken Door Opener. Ideas?

[jetdog]

I just built a new coop with a auto door, I made it from a video I saw on YouTube, type in"locking chicken door" pretty simple to add a little extra security to the up and down door style.

 

[basser]

Thank you very much ! I didn't realize that I would have to use an 11 pin relay though. I will have to get me some of those. I bought 8 pin relays & I have the limit switches. Thanks again for your time. The illustrations are great & will be very helpful.

 

[adacombe]

An 11 pin relay isn't necessary, they are just a common relay. You'll notice I didn't use terminals 5,6 and 7. I only used 8 pins on my relays, so just match up the normally closed contacts and the normally open contacts and it will work. If you are unsure, take a picture of your relay diagram and post it and I can help u out. While your at it take a picture of your 12v timer diagram if you need help connecting that too.

 

[Pancholoco]

I'm using a 12 Pin relay with a photostatic cell

 

[Mouthpear]

So our flock of 6 hens was slaughtered over the past 2 days. All attacks happened around 4am. I work a weird schedule so i dont get up till around 12 noon sometimes, so i dont want to keep the chickens locked up for hours and hours till i wake up. So im looking for a diy way to get their door open in the morning. I dont want to spend a lot of money, as i still need to buy more chickens. The solar openers are around $130 or so, but i guesse im looking for a way to use what i have or can get easy to create something that will work.

Any ideas? Just throw them out they might inspire me!!!!

Thanks

Well What is your actual budget?
What if any power do you have at the coop?
How large is your coop?
How much space is there where you plan on putting the door?
What is your skill level in DIY?

Without knowing those details, I can't be specific so I will give you two options. On the control part now.

Wifi If available:

Use a SONOFF 4CHPROR3. offers many options and can be RF remote controlled.



Two Timers:

Using just two timers. Many timers are available in this style even astronomical timers.


Advice is Stay away from car antennas for chicken doors. And water operated doors too. I would also stay away from strings doors. The most secure ones are Linear Actuator doors.

 

[Mouthpear]

I'm building some with with drill motors. I'm going to use a 12 volt timer though. I would like to know the wiring procedure for the DPDT relay if it's not to much bother. Thanks !

Using the right timers will save you a lot of hassle and battery life. Mounting is easier too. Using a DPDT relay will make it so the timer and relay will have to be all day or night. Two timers will remove that problem.

Diagram:


Photo:


Videos: My apologies the first video is recorded in real time with the timers programed, I thought youtube still had the option to rotate uploaded videos. Go to settings and play at 2x speed, recommended.

 

[Mouthpear]

Your original idea of using a cordless drill motor would work. It would require the use of a 110v double throw relay and 2 cutout switches. If you change direction on this and want a schematic let me know.

WHAT?! " using a cordless drill motor" "would require the use of a 110v double throw relay" WHY?! LOL

Why would you need 110v for a cordless motor? Cordless drills use DC voltage.

 

[Mouthpear]

If you are using a drill motor you will need 2 normally closed limit switch placed in the circuit here:


One switch will stop the door from opening too far and the other will stop the door from closing too far.

Just FYI it is best practices to put the motor on the commons not the NO and NC contacts. Makes it easier to makes changes when wiring. As in when the motor is runs in the wrong direction and wires need to be flip flopped. This also helps in transport from workbench to install, being able to disconnect the door motor from the controls without having to disconnect everything.