- Jun 4, 2012
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The multi quote on this would be a mess, so here are all of my thoughts on an automated coop door.
Clearly there's no need to spend 200 or even 100 dollars on it. If you have it to spend and don't want to diy, bully for you. For the rest of us, we have an alternative.
This design is highly and easily customizable. I can set it up to run on a timer or remote or both or mystery option D that I haven't thought of but you've always dreamed about. A pressure-sensitive reversing switch would probably be the most expensive and difficult to implement. A breaker-beam that stops the door going down if an object is in the path is a much better solution for preventing squashed chickens. Also I could play with adding a resistor to the motor to slow it down, so the birds can get out of the way as it's coming down.
I think anyone who has a guillotine style door probably has to deal with PTS, or Poopy Track Syndrome. I think you just have to be diligent about clearing it. The up side of having no reversing switch is the frozen poop won't stop the door closing. PTS is going to be an issue no matter what auto-door you use, I think.
I'm totally serious about doing the wiring and soldering for this, and that's an open invitation for anyone who wants a door. I'll also be happy to customize as much as you'd like, within the reasonable limits of the project. If anyone wants my qualifications, I've worked in HVAC, plumbing, electrical and a bit of carpentry, but my career is jet mechanic. I've been custom jury-rigging since the T-bird I owned in high school, twenty-something long years ago.
Um, I think that's about it. If anyone has any other questions about it, fire them at me, and I'll answer best as I can. Ciao chicken friends!
Clearly there's no need to spend 200 or even 100 dollars on it. If you have it to spend and don't want to diy, bully for you. For the rest of us, we have an alternative.
This design is highly and easily customizable. I can set it up to run on a timer or remote or both or mystery option D that I haven't thought of but you've always dreamed about. A pressure-sensitive reversing switch would probably be the most expensive and difficult to implement. A breaker-beam that stops the door going down if an object is in the path is a much better solution for preventing squashed chickens. Also I could play with adding a resistor to the motor to slow it down, so the birds can get out of the way as it's coming down.
I think anyone who has a guillotine style door probably has to deal with PTS, or Poopy Track Syndrome. I think you just have to be diligent about clearing it. The up side of having no reversing switch is the frozen poop won't stop the door closing. PTS is going to be an issue no matter what auto-door you use, I think.
I'm totally serious about doing the wiring and soldering for this, and that's an open invitation for anyone who wants a door. I'll also be happy to customize as much as you'd like, within the reasonable limits of the project. If anyone wants my qualifications, I've worked in HVAC, plumbing, electrical and a bit of carpentry, but my career is jet mechanic. I've been custom jury-rigging since the T-bird I owned in high school, twenty-something long years ago.
Um, I think that's about it. If anyone has any other questions about it, fire them at me, and I'll answer best as I can. Ciao chicken friends!
I'm about to get a second one. I've looked at possibly getting a different kind but always end up back to this one for various reasons. I actually drove down and met them to pick mine up rather than shipping.
