Remote-controlled chicken door?

[TaylorC]

I've been perusing all the possibilities for auto chicken doors, none of them are really striking me as cheap-and-easy unless you happen to have a few key parts laying around (and/or know a bit about building circuits.) I think what I really want is just a remote controller for a motor some 20 yards away. Who has an awesome idea?
Garage door is too big, remote controlled car likely hasn't enough range.... I see the drapery motor comes with optional remote, but that setup would just about double the cost of my entire coup.
Something else... something else....
Anyone?

 

[boston3381]

thinking

do you have electric at the coop???

 

[Shoshana]

Lowes (or any other hardware store) has remote controls for ceiling fans. It comes with the remote and the wall control, which you could maybe hardwire to a motor for the door? Here's an example of the item:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_179384-1811...Search=true$Ntt=remote controlled fan$y=0$x=0

Don't know if that's even workable, but it's an idea...

 

[boston3381]

lol did you see this post from G Wiz Ranch ..this might work for you

genius

 

[TaylorC]

Yeah, I sure did. Along with about fifteen other great ideas. There's no remote control on that one, but pretty clever example. Outside the box for sure. I like the battery-powered screwdriver as well.
Best for my purposes would prbably be the drapery motor with remote option, but at half the price.

Yes, I can get electricity there. Just need some small motor that I can rig a remote operation to. I'll check the above link when I get home.
Thanks, and keep it coming!

 

[boston3381]

ok well if you can get electric there, from your house ??? then just run wire for power and wire for 3 position switch..
then you wont a remote..

look up drapery motors that are (hard wire) they should be cheeper..

 

[Davaroo]

- Do you want convenience or automation?
- Does it need to be electric?
- Can you be there to close the door and put everyone to bed?

Auto opening doors were done many years ago before the advent of wide spread electricity. All that was needed was a wind up alarm clock and a suspended weight with a catch, which was released by the clocks bell striker. Wind the weight up, set the alarm/catch mechanism and voila! Auto opening door.

Some will complain that it doesn't close by itself and you must rewind it each day. But there is method in that seeming madness.
This forces you to "be there" to do these tasks, and so keep an eye on the chickens. I work in automation controls and I understand this stuff. But chickens don't.

These guys require attention and ongoing care from their owners, something totally automated functions are prone to eliminate. I see it all the time - the more automated a system is, the less aware the operator becomes.
Here in South Carolina, "automated" chicken houses are common. But the owners don't leave the birds to the care of the automatic processes. That could spell disaster, when they discover - too late - that something has gone wrong with their precious system.

"Out of sight out of mind," is not a good motto with chickens.

Wholly automated systems are available for about $150, which is money well spent when you consider they are purpose built, tested and proven. I might add that it doesn't need to be wireless... most such systems are not.
If you have AC power available, a wired switch won't cost much to install at the house somewhere, in view of the chicken coop. Coupled with a reversing motor, this will do the job. This is not automatic, per se, but more of a convenience arrangement.
And when the power goes out, the convenience is gone. Only solar power will solve that problem, for about another $150.

In the end, you could get as automated as you and your budget will allow. But I wouldn't. Keep it simple - so you stay involved.

 

[TaylorC]

Davaroo, this sounds perfect.
Know where I could find plans for a wind-up clock door opener?
I agree wholeheartedly about keeping in touch with the chickens on a daily basis. Mainly I go to work before dawn and would like to help my wife avoid trudging out in the early morning snow.

 

[bad_coffee]

I might be putting one of these to use in my coop:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...m_pla=Primary&cm_ite=234x60&_requestid=133763

B

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Sadly, not off hand. I've seen it mentioned in some of the old books in my library, but only briefly and not in detail. I'm thinking it is an idea you would have to develop on your own. However, I will make it a point to look for it during the coming few days and see what I can drum up.