Home made automatic coop door question

[jthornton]

It might take me a while to get a diagram, I'm installing windoze XP on a drive so I can have my ACAD schematic software again as well as an old copy of SolidWorks down here in the beer cave.

JT

 

[northdakotaoutfitting.com]

It might take me a while to get a diagram, I'm installing windoze XP on a drive so I can have my ACAD schematic software again as well as an old copy of SolidWorks down here in the beer cave.

JT

Did you have any luck with a diagram for me JT? I got coyotes in the yard now and I think I’m missing some chickens. They got one of my baby goats the other night so had to lock everything up. Boarded up my coop door tonight so nothing can get in or out. Time to set traps again

 

[jthornton]

I managed to get Windoze XP installed and activated even though you can't activate it anymore even with a legal copy lol. Installing ACAD and VIA schematic builder this morning thanks for reminding me I need to get this up and going. Once the software is installed it will take me a few minutes to make up the diagram.

Sorry to hear about your baby goat, what/how to do you trap coyotes? We have them as well...

JT

 

[northdakotaoutfitting.com]

I managed to get Windoze XP installed and activated even though you can't activate it anymore even with a legal copy lol. Installing ACAD and VIA schematic builder this morning thanks for reminding me I need to get this up and going. Once the software is installed it will take me a few minutes to make up the diagram.

Sorry to hear about your baby goat, what/how to do you trap coyotes? We have them as well...

JT

I will set up some snares in the gate openings and along the trees. There was all kinds of tracks by my deer pens as well the other day so need to set some up around there as well. You can use foot hold traps to but snares is a lot less messing around

 

[JonathanB]

I had a similar idea about making an automatic door re using an old drill I had. In the end however this ended up as a false economy. I found the price of buying a 12" linear actuator (which includes the limit switches), a polarity switch, a 12v 1amp power supply and a 12v timer all purchased off eBay ended up being cheaper and so much easier.

As I had WiFi at the coop, installed so I could add a cheap camera for remote viewing, I replaced the timer with a Sonos smart switch, again purchased from eBay, which allows remote control of the door, but this isn't necessary but these smart plugs aren't much more than a cheap 12v timer.

 

[cavemanrich]

I had a similar idea about making an automatic door re using an old drill I had. In the end however this ended up as a false economy. I found the price of buying a 12" linear actuator (which includes the limit switches), a polarity switch, a 12v 1amp power supply and a 12v timer all purchased off eBay ended up being cheaper and so much easier.

As I had WiFi at the coop, installed so I could add a cheap camera for remote viewing, I replaced the timer with a Sonos smart switch, again purchased from eBay, which allows remote control of the door, but this isn't necessary but these smart plugs aren't much more than a cheap 12v timer.

Include some links to what you purchased.

 

[northdakotaoutfitting.com]

Let’s see the pics if you have some and links. I don’t have WiFi at my coop lol damn chickens be on the interweb

 

[jthornton]

Well I finally got the PC sorted out with Windoze and ACAD so here is the drawing. Took me a while to remember how to draw in ACAD it's been a long time since I used it lol.

You can use the cheap automotive 12v relays like this one.


JT

 

[jthornton]

12" Linear Actuator.
12v Timer.
12v Power Supply.
You still need to construct a circuit similar to the above but without the limit switches for the linear actuator to work. Think of it replacing the motor and the limits in the drawing.

JT

 

[JonathanB]

Almost exactly the same items as Jthornton but UK eBay links.
https://bit.ly/2qPFiXz Linear actuator 12V 300mm (or whatever height opening you want)

https://bit.ly/2DE4QPH Power supply (only needs to be 2 amps)

https://bit.ly/2TdfK3r reverse polarity switch

https://bit.ly/2K5pCIx 12v timer

The only difference is the reverse polarity switch.

You split the output of the power supply so you have two outputs. The first output goes to the middle pair of the polarity switch, the second goes to the input of the timer.

The timer output joins to the left hand pair of inputs on the polarity switch.

The linear actuator is wired to the right hand pair.

Join the actuator to your chicken door (I used a bicycle brake cable so I could mount it in an adjoining shed). Plug in and you have your auto door.