New Run Chicken Model sunrise/sunset issues with app

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Hi, We recently moved and had to build a new coop and therefore get a new Run Chicken automatic door. I had one at our old coop and it was great, never a single issue, it was set to sunrise/sunset and worked without fail. It also had a manual close/open button if needed. When we got the new one which is a new model, it's now app based and you are required ot use the app and pair it (not necessary before). I pair it and set it to sunrise/sunset so it will use light like the old one. It closes at night then EVERY am it is closed and if I open the app it says 'not connected'. Then I have to go outside to pair it to push open on the app. It's not the door itself as I already replaced one thinking the door was broke as it happened so much it finally just stopped owrking. I know it's not batteries as its' second brand new one. I tried looking online and I can see that if you have an Iphone/Ios, the apps can stop running overnight but it shouldn't matter right if it's using a light sensor? I'm so frustrated becuse i loved the old model and this is nothing but hassle. Has anyone else experienced this OR does anyone have a non-app auto door recommendation? thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Why in the world does a chicken door need an app??
Sorry I have no suggestions other than to find a more basic model, even if that means a different brand. I don't suppose there's any way to attach a different motor to operate the door since you already have it in place, is there?

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Why in the world does a chicken door need an app??
Sorry I have no suggestions other than to find a more basic model, even if that means a different brand. I don't suppose there's any way to attach a different motor to operate the door since you already have it in place, is there?

the old model didnt have one! I agree!

 

[perkolator]

Can you not program it like the old one, by holding the phone screen against the light sensor? I'd message Run Chicken and see what they say, if it's a newer unit the drive motor/control box might be covered with warranty

 

[debid]

Did you pair it via Bluetooth to your phone or add it to your WiFi network? If it's WiFi capable and you have a good signal, I would switch over to that. If it isn't, get a different model or another brand and send that one back. There are far too many options out there to put up with that level of nonsense.

 

[debid]

BTW, mine is another brand but it is on our WiFi. When we lost power during the ice storm, it just kept operating as scheduled. I couldn't make changes to my preferences until the power came back and it reconnected but it didn't just stop working.

 

[BrentSoCo]

Did you ever figure it out? I just got installed mine, set to open with sunrise, and it didn't open this morning. It is Bluetooth, not wifi, so I get why it loses connection to the app if your phone isn't close enough, but it is supposed to either open/close on a schedule or with sunrise/sunset based on your location via GPS. You should only need to be connected to the app to manually open/close the door, right? I've uninstalled/reinstalled the app so we'll see if it works tonight.

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Hi! After trying a bunch of things and emailing with the company and doing my own research I finally figured out that no matter what on the bluetooth the sunrise setting for opening in the am wasn't going to work (I think it has something to do with IOS/bluetooth timing out).And while technically that shouldn't matter if bluetooth drops, it does and it's only for sunrise. Which is why I suspect the 'recommended' setting is natural light for sunset but setting the clock timer for am. So I set the clock timer and that does work regardless of bluetooth connectivity. So my advice is to try that: sunlight for sunset but set a clock time for sunrise. So far I haven't had issues with that. All to say the first version of one I had 3 years ago NEVER had these problems and worked every single day/night. I asked them why they got rid of the manual overide open/shut button (which seems insane to me to lose) but they said it's because they had feedback that some animals learned how to push it...

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Can you not program it like the old one, by holding the phone screen against the light sensor? I'd message Run Chicken and see what they say, if it's a newer unit the drive motor/control box might be covered with warranty

They basically said it should work but to just set it to the clock for sunrise and my guess is they know they have a larger issue with the sunrise since in the app the 'recommended' setting is natural light sensor for sunset but programming clock for sunrise...

 

[BrentSoCo]

Hi! After trying a bunch of things and emailing with the company and doing my own research I finally figured out that no matter what on the bluetooth the sunrise setting for opening in the am wasn't going to work (I think it has something to do with IOS/bluetooth timing out).And while technically that shouldn't matter if bluetooth drops, it does and it's only for sunrise. Which is why I suspect the 'recommended' setting is natural light for sunset but setting the clock timer for am. So I set the clock timer and that does work regardless of bluetooth connectivity. So my advice is to try that: sunlight for sunset but set a clock time for sunrise. So far I haven't had issues with that. All to say the first version of one I had 3 years ago NEVER had these problems and worked every single day/night. I asked them why they got rid of the manual overide open/shut button (which seems insane to me to lose) but they said it's because they had feedback that some animals learned how to push it...

They replied to me today and I got the same response - the button was removed because people were concerned raccoons could open it. They did say they are likely adding a new feature to a future system upset that will let you cover the sensor to open and close, as a replacement to the button. They also said manually pushing it up/ down should be OK to do. I feel like a raccoon is just a likely able to do that as figure out the button.

As for it not opening, they had me uninstall the app and reset the device. We'll see if it works in the morning, but not having high hopes. As you said, the closing at sunset works and using a scheduled time works, which I guess is fine.