My Auto door solar setup for multiple coops

[bobbieschicks]

I'm pretty stupid about electrical stuff.....what component are you using as a timer?

Lol. I'm new to all the solar and electric stuff too. It's taken a big leap for me to learn it because it involves math and I usually glaze over on that stuff.

The timer is an American Hunter digital 12volt (it's the white box in my pictures) I got a few years ago when I bought the first solar panel and battery for the main coop. It allows me to program multiple events.

 

[WVduckchick]

Had to bookmark this for next spring! I need to do this!!

 

[aart]

Lol. I'm new to all the solar and electric stuff too. It's taken a big leap for me to learn it because it involves math and I usually glaze over on that stuff.

The timer is an American Hunter digital 12volt (it's the white box in my pictures) I got a few years ago when I bought the first solar panel and battery for the main coop. It allows me to program multiple events.

Something like this?
Interesting that it's hunting thing....for an auto feeding/baiting device I presume?
Have seen multiple folks here looking unsuccessfully for a solar system timer.

 

[WVduckchick]

Something like this?
Interesting that it's hunting thing....for an auto feeding/baiting device I presume?
Have seen multiple folks here looking unsuccessfully for a solar system timer.

I have one of those from a deer feeder that the coons knocked down and rolled over the mountain. Tore the feed bucket all to crap, but i think the timer still might work. Thanks! You're awesome.

 

[Molpet]

Something like this?
Interesting that it's hunting thing....for an auto feeding/baiting device I presume?
Have seen multiple folks here looking unsuccessfully for a solar system timer.

ooooh good find

 

[bobbieschicks]

Yes. It's the older version of that American Hunter timer. That is the timer they sent me when I ordered a replacement timer and I have it on stand by should I need it. It would work the same as the timer I am using.

All three doors closed tonight again, the battery shows two LEDs red so hopefully they will open tomorrow morning on time.

 

[bobbieschicks]

If we ever get a noncloudy day again I will take pictures of the wiring as well. I did have to learn how to strip and crimp wires because I've never done that before. I also cut the AC/DC power supplies that came with my Add-a-motor auto door openers to use the female connector ends.

The only hard part about the entire build was getting up the nerve to do it because electrical stuff has always been out of my comfort zone.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I used 16gauge wires (red/positive and black/negative) from Walmart automotive section.

 

[jballone]

All three doors closed tonight again, the battery shows two LEDs red so hopefully they will open tomorrow morning on time.

FYI:
2 Red battery LED's is pretty normal.

If the green "load" light goes out, that means the battery is too low to power the "load"/ doors.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay thanks. So far the charge light flickers at times and goes out. But the load light continues to glow green. All three battery lights are red at present.

We haven't had much sun recently and my panel isn't propped up properly yet. I just have it tilted slightly to the south and laying on the roof that faces west. Once the brackets I ordered arrive I'll install those and face it due south.

I'm pleased it's working. It beats the heck out of rushing out there in the early morning hours. And I'm glad that the only real add on expense was wiring, solar charge connector, and multi connector - around $50. The panel isn't included in that total despite it being new because I would have needed it anyway with the old setup since my old panel wouldn't have worked.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Okay. Finally a sunny day yesterday. I will try to post the wiring pictures. If anyone has specific questions about what I did I'm happy to answer. I'm not solar savvy or electrically experienced but I can explain what I did.

All 3 coops have Add A Motor openers, 16 gauge wiring.