Want to put my automatic door on a timer

[JacksonH]

I bought a used garage door opener on craigslist for $40 and modified it to work as a chicken door opener. It is a chain drive unit and the rail came in 3 parts, each one was about 3' long. I used only one 3' length of the rail and cut the chain down to the proper length and it works like a charm; I can open it or close it with a button, just like a garage door opener works, and I have a remote that works also. When the door is closed, it is really closed, and no predator is getting through that door.

The reason that I made this setup in the first place was to have it close automatically at night, on a timer, but I can't figure out how to wire in a timer.

Has anyone done this, or does anyone have any thoughts about how to do this?

I'll post pics of my coop when they allow me to (this is my first post, other than my intro and I guess that I have to make a certain amount of posts in order to get those privileges).

JacksonH

ps I have 13 birds

 

[yellowirenut]

yes please post pics and the brand of opener.
I may need to find a schematic to finger it all out.

 

[SteveBaz]

Welcome to the BYC

I found a couple threads for it and you can check them out good luck and welcome


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=98000
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=426033
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=334084
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=7318176

 

[JacksonH]

yellowirenut,

It is a Sears model # 139.53627SRT; manufacture date is 04/1993

I don't have a picture of the setup, but I'll get one and try to post it.

Thanks for the help,

JacksonH

 

[JacksonH]

SteveBaz,

Thanks for the links. I have already seen most of these when I did a search of the forum posts, and none of them are helpful in my situation, but again, thanks.

JacksonH

 

[yellowirenut]

I found one on amazon that would work better than hacking into the board with a timer and all that

http://www.amazon.com/Gate-Garage-Door-Seven-Timer/dp/B0041I0YG2

 

[Ole rooster]

I was wondering if one of the timers that the plug of the opener pluged into would work? I have one of those I used to use on a light. This one has pins you push is for the time to turn on and off. It plugs into the receptacle and the opener into it.

Man, what a description.

 

[yellowirenut]

Quote:
Sorry one of those wont work. They would only turn power off and on to the opener. You need something that acts like the button on your wall

 

[JacksonH]

yellowirenut wrote

I found one on amazon that would work better than hacking into the board with a timer and all that

http://www.amazon.com/Gate-Garage-Door-Seven-Timer/dp/B0041I0YG2

That one is too pricey for me, plus being a creative type of guy, I like coming up with something home made. It seems that it shouldn't be that tough to do, I just don't know where to start.

Thanks,

Jackson​

 

[JacksonH]

Ole rooster wrote:

I was wondering if one of the timers that the plug of the opener pluged into would work? I have one of those I used to use on a light. This one has pins you push is for the time to turn on and off. It plugs into the receptacle and the opener into it. Man, what a description.

Thanks for the thoughts, but like yellowirenut says, that would only apply power to the opener but wouldn't open the door.

Jackson​