My DIY Automatic Chicken Door

[Ghosty]

This is the method I was looking for. Other methods show using 2 timers for on and off, an awful lot of wiring everywhere, or you have to buy a 60$ controller. Thanks for this. I got a linear actuator off ebay auction from China. 27$ for a 300lb 14 inch. Another 12" went for 20$. Just filter for auction.

 

[nparks]

If I go vertically with the door, how much space is needed inside the coop to mount everything?

 

[jthornton]

I don't see any limit switches, in diagram or in your actual constructed door.
What stops the actuator from wanting to keep going in direction of travel when gets to end of stroke. Are there automatic limits in actuator

Usually linear actuators have built in limit switches.

JT

 

[Ghosty]

If I go vertically with the door, how much space is needed inside the coop to mount everything?

Haven't built mine yet, but looks like you can double your actuator length, then add 6 inches for the mounting bracket. So, about 30" total length for a 12" actuator

 

[nparks]

I haven’t finished the actual door yet but I just successfully set up the electronics!! Thank you so much for posting this! Saves me a ton of money since I needed 2 doors!

 

[Tsheaby]

I haven’t finished the actual door yet but I just successfully set up the electronics!! Thank you so much for posting this! Saves me a ton of money since I needed 2 doors!

Heck yes! You’re welcome!! So glad to hear!

 

[Tsheaby]

This is the method I was looking for. Other methods show using 2 timers for on and off, an awful lot of wiring everywhere, or you have to buy a 60$ controller. Thanks for this. I got a linear actuator off ebay auction from China. 27$ for a 300lb 14 inch. Another 12" went for 20$. Just filter for auction.

That’s exactly why I wanted to try and make my own! Every tutorial, or video I watched on other DIY ones just looked way too much as you mentioned.

Funny story... I had all almost all the parts and was putting it all together, and while testing it out is when I realized I needed the DPDT relay. I went to an electrical supply store in town because they were the only one with a DPDT in stock, and when I explained what I was doing I was told by 3 employees there that it wouldn’t work and left empty handed. I was not happy - it felt a little discriminatory, since I was just a random woman coming in there asking for a part that I couldn’t explain using the correct terminology, etc. - that’s a story for another time. Bottom line, I went home and ordered the DPDT relay and boom! Makes a complicated or expensive project into an affordable 5 part door.

I’m sure they are out there, but I couldn’t find any with the 12” stroke online other than Walmart that was within my price goal. Some have mentioned they found one on Amazon, but the ones I found there were a lot pricier.

I didn’t think about eBay! Sounds like a great find!! If I make anymore, I’ll certainly remember to check there too.

Good luck on making yours, let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Tsheaby]

I wish we could upload a video easier without a link... but here is a couple screen shots of what mine looks like from the inside of the coop.

Note* the container does had a lid, but was taken off briefly to change the times. (Daylight is much longer now)

 

[nparks]

Are the cabinet sliders a must?

 

[Tsheaby]

Are the cabinet sliders a must?

Nope! Just an alternate option if you want them if you take a look at my most recent post above, I added some pictures of mine from the inside of the coop.

I didn’t use cabinet sliders, but used spare wood to build a little frame for the door to guide it up and down and keep it in place and is arguably more predator proof, the frame would stop the door from being pushed in(to the coop).

Other designs I saw with people using cabinet sliders, were when they were using a car radio antenna vs. linear actuator. I could be wrong, but I feel like the antenna lacks the strength the LA has, so I assume cabinet sliders make it easier and save you the step of making a frame. Either or should be fine!