DIY solar powered doors

[JacksonPearce]

I've recently added dividers to my coop to split the run from the coop in the evening and/or split the coop into three different sections. I rigged up some pulleys so I can open and close these from outside the coop. BUT...I sure would love these to work dusk to dawn or on a timer! I don't want to replace my doors with a whole new setup-- I'd like to just add solar power to them. Any suggestions?

I'm not slick with Arduino/coding, but I'd be happy to pay someone who is. I've also heard drapery motors can get the job done, but can't seem to find anything specific there. We don't have power in the coop, so solar or battery powered is our best bet.

 

[jthornton]

I used a 12v 5RPM gear motor from amazon, a DPDT relay board with two relays and a arduino nano with a breakout board and a timer and some magnetic switches to sense when the door was up and down. I had to put a relay between the 120v timer and the nano. For 12v with a solar panel a DS3231 RTC (Real Time Clock) with a nano would be a good fit.

I'm working on a wifi solution that gets the time from the internet once a night and updates the clock as well as broadcasting a web page with door status and temperature. The web page can also manually control things in the coop.

If you have a PC coding the arduino is pretty easy and I'd be glad to collaborate with you on the project and share my code.

The only thing I've not researched yet is the solar power charger/battery...

JT

 

[jthornton]

Just reading another thread and this timer might be an easy way to go with the gear motor and solar panel.

JT

 

[JacksonPearce]

Thanks, JT! I don't have much coding experience, but I've got a little and can perhaps work it out. This definitely sounds like a project to take on when I've got a little more free time, but I will definitely message with you when I start on it. Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[jballone]

Little video I put together showing my automatic door with timer. The best part is you don't have to be an electrical engineer or computer whiz to put it together =)

I've since added the solar panel and charge controller that you can read about in the following link:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diy-automatic-chicken-door.1194684/#post-18970492

 

[DLBUTTER]

Wouldn't using a solar battery charger, a deep charge (marine) battery a 12 volt to 110 volt inverter work to operate an add a motor drapery motor