solar powered doors

[Tucker]

I am building chicken tractor for 60 chickens! I have nearly finished but I am having trouble find solar powered doors for the coup.
I want the doors to open at sunrise and close an hour after sunset. Is there a product out there I can use or has anyone ever made one or even seen one in action?

 

[patandchickens]

They sell powered, auto-opening/closing doors (I believe Foy's is the company's U.S. sales outlet). They aren't cheap, I think something like $150 for the whole package. They're battery operated.

You would then need to buy an appropriate sized solar panel, plus one of those charge regulator thingamaboobies, and hook it up to charge the unit's battery. Not a real big deal, although additional expense.

I am under the impression that the battery draw of the auto door is not large, however, so it might make quite a lot more financial sense to just use the auto door unit as sold, replacing the batteries however often they need replacing (I don't own one, so I don't know how often that is).

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Tucker]

Thanks you very much that info was great! , they do have them and they are perfect for the job!
Ill be ordering some tomorrow.
cheers Tucker.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I've only had to replace the batteries in mine once a year. Your going to really like the auto door.

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

I've had the autodoor installed for several months now, and my batteries are still showing a full charge. They only operate for about 2 minutes a day, and if the door is very lightweight (which it is supposed to be), there is virtually no draw on them at all.