What is the most reliable opener for auto-opening a pop door?

[fireguy56]

Quote:
Gale, I have and Add-a-Motor our our door and works great. No problems what so ever and simple to install. Here is photo of our set up.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69010_door_motor-1.jpg 1/8" aluminum door in wooden track, add-a-motor above that tied into timer.

Thanks. I don't know how I missed your post. I'll look into that one. Our door is a plastic cutting board that is fairly heavy (3 lbs maybe?). Would that motor lift that size door?

also can it be set to close slowly? We had a pullet roosting in the doorway last night. ugh. Now I have that to worry about.

Gale, Yes , the add-a-motor will raise the cutting board with no problem. also, the motor raises and lowers the door very slowly, so enough time for any girl to move out of the way. They will get use to it. My girls are lined up in the morning waiting for it to open.
Here is a photo of second coop I am building and just built the pop door today for it. Will be using an Add-a-motor on this one as well.
Erik

New coop front and right side.

Pop door from outside.

Pop door from inside showing track system I did for the 1/8" aluminum door to slide in. Track is made from aluminum angle.

 

[newchick13]

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I actually have this door and so far so good. I wanted an automatic door so that in the winter, I can get away with not having to run out first thing in the morning and when the sun goes down. I also am a big CHICKEN and am afraid of the dark......yes I am seriously scared of the dark!

The door was super easy to install, I just removed my old door which opened like a regular door with the hinge on the side. It took me 5 minutes to install using pretty basic tools like a screwdriver and drill. The door also has the second chance timer built in so that any stragglers can get inside if they drag their feet on the way in. The door opens and re-closes a few minutes after you set the close time.

 

[<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3]

read your post then stumbled on to this site http://www.chickendoors.com/testimonial.htm Sounds good good luck

 

[gale65]

<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3 :

read your post then stumbled on to this site http://www.chickendoors.com/testimonial.htm Sounds good good luck

thanks, but like I mentioned earlier in the thread, I have to have one that opens a door that slides up and down. I did consider this pullet shut door before we built our new coop though.​

 

[teach1rusl]

We just use the drapery motor units in our coops; they look like the add-a-motor units I see posted. We've had the one in our main coop since December of 09, and it's worked like a champ; the other one has only been in use since summer. Of course there's always the risk of power outtages with any auto door opener...

 

[fireguy56]

Gale, Go back up a few replies and check out what I said about the add-a-motor.
Erik

 

[<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3]

Quote:
thanks, but like I mentioned earlier in the thread, I have to have one that opens a door that slides up and down. I did consider this pullet shut door before we built our new coop though.

It dosen't go up or down I thought it said you could put it either way? sorry

 

[gale65]

Quote:
Thanks so much.

DH is also concerned about power so we'd buy the system to do a battery w/ solar charger on it.

 

[zekii]

Anyone use automatic door opener with a wood door ? Both our poop doors are wood, they slide tightly in their track, so I'll probably have to do some sanding to make them slide easier, but how heavy a door can the automatic door openers open & close ?

 

[gale65]

Quote:
The add-a-door page says it can open a door up to 5 lbs.