I made one of these a few years ago and ran into the same problem with the door not quite shutting completely. Also, as the actuator ages it tends to not shut tightly. My daughter solved it .... she suggested I use a simple magnet (not rare earth, too powerful) which, when installed, worked just great. it's still out there working, 8 years later.
Hi, I was reading the comments and noticed that no one suggested replacing the sensor with a solar panel. The panel can charge the battery during the day and the signal from it would be used to trigger the actuator. (2 birds--one stone...) Also, you can use the signal from the panel to add a delay timer or clock timer right before the actuator. Oh, and a transistor H-bridge could reliably replace the relay while using less power. I hope that helps.
Nicely done! I will definitely build this for my wife's coop. However, I will run on a timer and place it, along with the battery and relay in a weatherproof box. Please support this young lady and purchase her excellent plans which gives you much more detailed info.
Looks great! I installed one on my coop two weeks ago. I went with a simple timer for triggering my door instead of going by photo-sensor. I went with waterproof boxes with clear fronts and mounted all the electronics on the outside of the coop visible from my house. The electronics have LED's that light up when the door is open/closed. I went with a solar panel to run mine too and a 12V battery for backup. Next up for me is replacing the timer with a ESP32 to monitor the charge on the battery and to set it up so I can monitor/control it through my home automation.
Did you ever figure it out? I'd like to do the same, but I don't have the knowledge to think it out on my own. However, I can follow plans pretty well!
Same here. I would love to make this, but I have two chickens that I have to chase inside or else they would stay out all night! I call them my rebellious teen chicks. I might make it to open in the morning though. As my health gets worse, waking up early gets harder
Yeah I had two or three or four that used to try to roost up in the roof of the run and I ended up having to put chicken wire around those joists to keep them from roosting up there so finally they got the hint to go inside the coop at night or you know the house
Great solution. One suggestion though, it might be a good idea to add a flange around the door so raccoons can't pry the door open with their claws. Those little guys are extremely persistent and surprisingly strong.
Nice and straight forward. The one I'm designing uses a linear motor with feedback current just in case something gets caught on the door, like a chicken and uses a Strawberry Pi for Internet access and control. Great vid!
The one I installed came with a sensor that is triggered if something is standing in front of it. It's been working quite well. Best part is, if something walks in front of it while it's moving, it pauses the current operation. Then when it's clear again, it finishes its task.
I bought the plans and installed the door on my coop. The concept is fantastic. I am having issues with the door opening in the morning. We have had temps in the 20’s at night. Any thoughts on why it’s not opening? It closes perfectly at night but in the morning it stays shut. If I disconnect power and then reconnect, it will open. Would the fuse ampage have anything to do with it? Cold weather? Help!
What a great video! It was hilarious at the end when you were having to crawl inside to show her how to get out! I know they will enjoy their new door.
So what turns off the actuator power when the actuator is fully extended and contracted? Thank you for posting this as i am trying to rig a similar sys!
That can be solved quite easealy. add a door sensor to see if the door is closed and have that report back to your home automation :D. or maybe april can add this to the alarm system that is installed :D
I want to do a very similar setup but instead of it opening, I'm going to set it up to slide up/down in a track, that way I can worry less about any gaps from not closing all the way.
I’d be more concerned about where the wire meets the door frame, doesn’t look like she secured it there. Coyotes are common were she’s at, they’ll push right passed it.
@michael what if the door loses power? Also, what if the wood rots just enough for an animal to pry into it. What if the L bracket snaps or becomes weakened over time? What if the LA is rated higher than it is... Many, many reasons to bulls the door like an exterior door, no benefits to building it this way.
@@MrVARhythm What if a tornado rips off the door from the coop? What if a wild fire burns the whole coop? What if? What if? What if? C'mon find another place to overflow your pessimism and criticize without reason. Great DIY project!
Quick question about the in-line fuze you briefly mention, what AMP fuze did you use? Secondly, could you please explain the reason for adding that fuze there and what it does? Thanks so much, great automatic door, one of the best designs I've found so far!
hi, great video! One short question please. When the linear actuator completes full action (open or close), how does the circuit go to stand by state and not continue to work? Is this done by the relay itself or by an extra switch? thank you
Do the plans for the automatic door come with a wiring diagram? I already have a linear actuator ,110-12V dc power supply, and a photo cell. I just need to wrap my head around the relay part of it.
@@scottcroonquist6574 well the pistons have only so much travel so as I recall you just set the piston according to how much room one has. But you recall the actuator stop on a screen door we all have had at one point or another which we can adjust. Maybe she has that kind of piston. I built a frame and we set it underneath a conveyer belt that cans of Quick would come down in rows of 4 or 5 as I recall then I built 2 what I called Bombay doors in the box and everything was coordinated with laser eyes and when they detected cans the doors dropped open and the set of cans dropped into the cardboard box and set of arms closed the tops while others closed the bottom as it glued them all snug and moved along. Thousands of can per day. It was long ago, Details escape me now. But I liked working there very much. It was a huge plant and we had the run of the place and it always smelled GREAT.
Hi Scott, our actuators have built-in limit switches. You can find this actuators datasheet here for more information: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0061/7735/7891/files/Micro_Linear_Actuator_PA-07.pdf?v=2649400298085553116
I have to say you would make a great addition to the Mechanics that worked at the Nestles I use to work at. I made something very similar but you have the essentials to make it happen April.. You being a woman and working as a mechanic would be in my opinion the envy of many women working there. The majority anyway. Good job April, I was actually the machinist there and part of the maintenance mechanics there. Great place to work, wish I would have been there much longer but after 30 years they closed up and moved it back East. Long story I won’t bore you with. Thnx for sharing..
Failed to mention the plant was there 30 plus years I came in the last 5 years before they packed up and left Ca.unfortunately... Was a picture of things to come as has happened with so many here. I’d do it myself if I could..
What was the stoke on the mini linear actuator? When I click the link it says 0.5" but it looked longer than that, or is it based on the size door, and if so how do you determine that?
Good idea. you could also use a programable timer to do this. if you really wanted to get fancy you could use a plug that connects to wifi and you can control from your phone. Just a few ideas i came up with.
I opted for an up-down door on a timer. It requires adjustment of the time as the seasons progress. However, in Summer, they often stay out until the very last moments of daylight. Plenty of nights when they are JUST going in when I go out to collect eggs.
Enjoyed this episode. I have two made an automatic chicken door opener. The problem you're going to have is with that 12-volt relay. It only works at 12 votes not at 11.8. I changed to a solid state relay. It operates between 2 and 18 volts.
thats so cool like that little door im getting ready to make a RV at of a school but i like type video making some out nothing and making with your hands great video can not wait see what next
Perfect timing! I built your coop and run and there are days I can not get down to the coop to let the girls out. This is much better than the expensive commercially available coop doors and they generally have mediocre ratings.
Hi, we ordered your plans for the auto door and we really need a schematic for the components. I think I have it right, Solar Sensor then relay then battery then fuse then Actuator in that order. We can't see how the battery attaches in your video or instructions. Thanks. Janet
I'm confused about the inputs from the light sensor. What's stopping it constantly pushing or pulling during the day or night? There must be some electronics to set the latches..??
April, Ive been watching you since you were a beginner. Watched you grow into a really great carpenter. Little girl all grown up. And now you have chickens . I'm proud of you.
My chickens dont go in to the coop until it is literally pitch dark. Other purpose built auto chicken coop doors allow you to adjust the sensors on how dark or light you want it to open and close. Or use an alternate set time open time close system. Im guessing this photosensor doesn't do this? Exactly how dark does it get before it closes?
During the winter months when the days are short, a dim light on(inside the coop) with the hens at night will keep them eating and laying eggs much better!That light too, can be on a photocell to shut it off and save electricity at daybreak! You used to be able to purchase a photo cell that could be screwed right into an edison light bulb base between it and the light bulb.
Great DIY, I would suggest you use a lift and lower door that fits in tracks so the predators can't pry it open. And some of your viewers might also consider using an electric car window opener, they are essentially free and work well if you have any old cars about to get rid of, but pulling one from the junkyard too, or you can also buy them new replacements from rockauto. Also not sure you really need a light sensor, a basic timer is good enough, the time is gets dark at 5pm instead of 9pm is only a few hours and some are quite easy to adjust (see sprinkler timers), or frankly I do electronics and there are circuit boards that can do it some real cheap, like $5 for a 12v relay.
the key would be you power source. i.e. on my game cams they operate as low as minus 35 below or even colder with AA batteries, but if I use C cell they are useless just below freezing. depends on your amp/mh draw. you should be ok. if your cold is in a most area and you cake up with ice, all bets are off.
I never had a problem with it. By the time they were back in the coop it was getting dark and they were ready for sleeping. During the day they were out and about, free ranging. Thanks for watching.
A great video and project, April. You always seem to come up with the right solutions for your problems. Now you can sleep for 5 more minutes every morning, or maybe just think of another thing you want to master. Thanks for sharing! Felix
Hey April, Great idea and use of a light dependent resistor and the electromechanical actuator, what you said. Perhaps you've heard it, why did the chicken stop in the middle of the road? She wanted to lay it on the line. At least it's clean. All the best from Oregon, C.
I have no idea how dark it has to get before the chickens come home to roost as the sun sets. I wonder if you'll have to come up with some way to dial in an "after sunset" delay before closing the door?
The link to the actuator goes to the generic page. What stroke and force did you use April? This project is a must for us urban chicken farmers. Also...do you have a schematic for the relay wiring?
Hi there, we can help with this! The link to the actuator April used: www.progressiveautomations.com/products/micro-linear-actuator Once you have the stroke and force requirements for your project, you can contact us and one of our engineers would be delighted to recommend our options to you.
@@ProgressiveAutomations My point is, if we are to replicate Aprils build, we need the same actuator she used. A link to that exact actuator would be helpful. It is clear to me that she used a 4" stroke with a 5 lbs force. Also, she linked to a SPDT relay when she really used a DPDT relay. The $10 plan I purchased should have all these parts fully described but they do not. No one can build this door, in the manner that April did, without this info and without a schematic for wiring the unit up.
It slowly closes. It doesn't snap shut so they would just move out of the way. Once they are going in or out, they don't stop midway. Thanks for watching.
The L-bracket looks shortened, so it would have been nice to see the (perhaps trial-and-error) approach to find the right dimensions and positions. Some info on that sensor: since daylight doesn't fade perfectly smooth on a cloudy day, you wouldn't want that sensor to open and close again, every time a cloud passes by. To avoid that, such a sensor had 2 thresholds: for the gate to close, the sensor has to pass below the lower threshold. So, it has to be really, really dark before it actually closes. But it won't just open again if it gets a little bit lighter - it will only open the gate when light rises to the upper threshold. So, it has to be really, really light before the gate opens again. That bit of electronics with 2 thresholds is called a Schmitt trigger.
"The Chick Inn" lol. This is soooo much better than the commercial ones. My only suggestion is to build the frame around the door that is closing, inside of underneath the closing door, then you don't have to worry about a small gap. For instance, allow the door to shut inside of the frame. My experience with raccoons is that, eventually, anything you can pry open, they can pry open. Anyway, I wish we were friends
That one chicken at the end is like..."Where is everybody!!!...what do i do!!!!...where do i go!!!......Bacck..Bacck...bacck...Bacck!!!" (proceeds to run around like she has lost her head or something) :)
I miss these smaller projects that I can use. 😄 Even though I love watching your big projects and are amazed how far you've come. I can't corperate them in my simple life. I adore you and looking forward to your Wood Shed shop remodel. It will be epic! 🤗
Nice video! You could maybe build an acrylic enclosure for the electrical components underneath to protect it from soil humidity. Just a thought! Thumbs up!
Does the linear actuator open the control circuit when it's fully extended or retracted? I'm wondering what the effect is of always having current on the control lines.
I connected this up - paid for wiring diagram, and it doesn't work. I have solar panels and I connected to the solar controller load terminals. Do I need to connect direct to the battery? The actuator works with a rocker switch connected to the load terminals. Also my photocell has a red, black. & white wire and wiring diagram has red, black, & orange. I connected terminal 8 on the relay to the white wire on the photocell. I need some help here.
Oops, I forgot one other detail the wiring diagram shows the actuator leads as white & black and mine are black & red. I have a Progressive Mini Linear Actuator and I believe you used a Micro , which is a little smaller but should not matter.
MUCH better than the few hundred dollar doors I researched earlier! I would recess the door to help prevent predators forced entry. And please, enclose all your wiring. Some chickens will peck at it..................................rj
Is that the small chicken coop? I am going to build it now that I am retired. Great video! By the way you are so kind and considerate to explain your videos and products the way you do. You do an excellent job. :-) :-) :-)
Hmm... There is on/off signal from the photocell and DPDT relay for switching the direction but how does the linear actuator stop? If it is constantly energized, you may end up having to eat all your chickens in one sitting since most will be cooked roughly the same when there is fire :/
I'm going to guess the linear actuator has an end of travel switch at both ends. Some are even designed so that the end travel switches are adjustable.
I use these linear actuators and other like them on robots for a jr. high robotics club and most have limit switches built in. When ones that size do fry they really do produce enough heat to start a fire and with the fuse she should not have a problem. I think we've only ever burned one up.
I made one of these a few years ago and ran into the same problem with the door not quite shutting completely. Also, as the actuator ages it tends to not shut tightly. My daughter solved it .... she suggested I use a simple magnet (not rare earth, too powerful) which, when installed, worked just great. it's still out there working, 8 years later.
Hi, I was reading the comments and noticed that no one suggested replacing the sensor with a solar panel. The panel can charge the battery during the day and the signal from it would be used to trigger the actuator. (2 birds--one stone...) Also, you can use the signal from the panel to add a delay timer or clock timer right before the actuator. Oh, and a transistor H-bridge could reliably replace the relay while using less power. I hope that helps.
Nicely done! I will definitely build this for my wife's coop. However, I will run on a timer and place it, along with the battery and relay in a weatherproof box. Please support this young lady and purchase her excellent plans which gives you much more detailed info.
Why do you keep your wife in a coop? Kinda cruel, lol.
Hi April,
Thank you so very much for all your help!! It's so great to see women doing the kind of things you do!! :)
Looks great! I installed one on my coop two weeks ago. I went with a simple timer for triggering my door instead of going by photo-sensor. I went with waterproof boxes with clear fronts and mounted all the electronics on the outside of the coop visible from my house. The electronics have LED's that light up when the door is open/closed. I went with a solar panel to run mine too and a 12V battery for backup. Next up for me is replacing the timer with a ESP32 to monitor the charge on the battery and to set it up so I can monitor/control it through my home automation.
Did you consider a security guard? Might be cheaper.
Did you ever figure it out? I'd like to do the same, but I don't have the knowledge to think it out on my own. However, I can follow plans pretty well!
There’s is always one chicken who needs to get the hint. lol
Yes lol, I have never had all the chickens go in on their own, at least one is always rebellious and tries staying out late.
Same here. I would love to make this, but I have two chickens that I have to chase inside or else they would stay out all night! I call them my rebellious teen chicks. I might make it to open in the morning though. As my health gets worse, waking up early gets harder
I love chickens but sometimes they can be REALLY dumb.
Yeah I had two or three or four that used to try to roost up in the roof of the run and I ended up having to put chicken wire around those joists to keep them from roosting up there so finally they got the hint to go inside the coop at night or you know the house
That's a Late Adopter example!
April is so talented and cute!
🙏🤝🤝🇮🇩
Great solution. One suggestion though, it might be a good idea to add a flange around the door so raccoons can't pry the door open with their claws. Those little guys are extremely persistent and surprisingly strong.
Then the raccoons will start carrying flash lights LOL
@@robertclark2714 ha ha!
We've all had a bloody experience with raccoons. People without chickens don't realize how predatory they are.
@@stupidfuckingutube42 Yes they in my cooler One night and stole my beer They left Hot Dogs. Lol
Nice and straight forward. The one I'm designing uses a linear motor with feedback current just in case something gets caught on the door, like a chicken and uses a Strawberry Pi for Internet access and control.
Great vid!
You could even add a camera to the Pi and get pics for confidence.
The one I installed came with a sensor that is triggered if something is standing in front of it. It's been working quite well. Best part is, if something walks in front of it while it's moving, it pauses the current operation. Then when it's clear again, it finishes its task.
Would you be willing to share what you came up with, and the parts you used? Thanks!
I bought the plans and installed the door on my coop. The concept is fantastic. I am having issues with the door opening in the morning. We have had temps in the 20’s at night. Any thoughts on why it’s not opening? It closes perfectly at night but in the morning it stays shut. If I disconnect power and then reconnect, it will open. Would the fuse ampage have anything to do with it? Cold weather? Help!
What a great video! It was hilarious at the end when you were having to crawl inside to show her how to get out! I know they will enjoy their new door.
I just did the same thing myself, it is amazing to not have to go out morning and night to open and close them - great job!
This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for, and I so appreciate your tutorial. I can't wait to make my own with my dad. We love making! Thank you!
So what turns off the actuator power when the actuator is fully extended and contracted? Thank you for posting this as i am trying to rig a similar sys!
I bet April goes out every night to double check if door closed 😊. I would still have OCD and have to see it close no matter how sure I felt .
That can be solved quite easealy. add a door sensor to see if the door is closed and have that report back to your home automation :D. or maybe april can add this to the alarm system that is installed :D
I can look out the window and see if it's closed. There has never been a problem.
I want to do a very similar setup but instead of it opening, I'm going to set it up to slide up/down in a track, that way I can worry less about any gaps from not closing all the way.
I think I would recess the door in a frame so the predators couldn't grab the edge and pry against it.
Damn raptors always after ma chickens.
I've tried to overcome a linear actuator. It wouldn't budge. A racoon would have to eat through the door to get in.
I’d be more concerned about where the wire meets the door frame, doesn’t look like she secured it there. Coyotes are common were she’s at, they’ll push right passed it.
@michael what if the door loses power? Also, what if the wood rots just enough for an animal to pry into it. What if the L bracket snaps or becomes weakened over time? What if the LA is rated higher than it is... Many, many reasons to bulls the door like an exterior door, no benefits to building it this way.
@@MrVARhythm What if a tornado rips off the door from the coop? What if a wild fire burns the whole coop? What if? What if? What if? C'mon find another place to overflow your pessimism and criticize without reason. Great DIY project!
April you are one cool chick to make this for your chicken coop. Now I can make one for my daughters coop. Thank You April.
I'm building mine w an Arduino and a stepper motor. It's what I have in my parts bins. Very nice build!
these door packages want to sell for almost two hundred dollars my guess is your Arduino is slightly less than that?? congrats.
Quick question about the in-line fuze you briefly mention, what AMP fuze did you use? Secondly, could you please explain the reason for adding that fuze there and what it does? Thanks so much, great automatic door, one of the best designs I've found so far!
hi, great video! One short question please. When the linear actuator completes full action (open or close), how does the circuit go to stand by state and not continue to work? Is this done by the relay itself or by an extra switch? thank you
There's a switch built into the actuator I do believe that cuts power when it opens and closes shut.
Can confirm that these linear actuators have limit switches built in. Can't find any info about relays, though.
Do the plans for the automatic door come with a wiring diagram? I already have a linear actuator ,110-12V dc power supply, and a photo cell. I just need to wrap my head around the relay part of it.
I am having the same issue. I purchased the actuator and control you linked to but I can not get them wired correctly lots of sparks! Help!
Great video, I'm curious what shuts the power off to the actuator when it is fully open or closed. Thanks
Lengthy of the stroke, can only go so far Sir
@@joexg50 is their an internal limit switch when it reaches the end of stroke? I didn't notice anything in the link she shared for the actuator.
@@scottcroonquist6574 well the pistons have only so much travel so as I recall you just set the piston according to how much room one has. But you recall the actuator stop on a screen door we all have had at one point or another which we can adjust. Maybe she has that kind of piston. I built a frame and we set it underneath a conveyer belt that cans of Quick would come down in rows of 4 or 5 as I recall then I built 2 what
I called Bombay doors in the box and everything was coordinated with laser eyes and when they detected cans the doors dropped open and the set of cans dropped into the cardboard box and set of arms closed the tops while others closed the bottom as it glued them all snug and moved along. Thousands of can per day. It was long ago, Details escape me now. But I liked working there very much. It was a huge plant and we had the run of the place and it always smelled GREAT.
Hi Scott, our actuators have built-in limit switches. You can find this actuators datasheet here for more information: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0061/7735/7891/files/Micro_Linear_Actuator_PA-07.pdf?v=2649400298085553116
I have to say you would make a great addition to the Mechanics that worked at the Nestles I use to work at. I made something very similar but you have the essentials to make it happen April.. You being a woman and working as a mechanic would be in my opinion the envy of many women working there. The majority anyway. Good job April,
I was actually the machinist there and part of the maintenance mechanics there. Great place to work, wish I would have been there much longer but after 30 years they closed up and moved it back East. Long story I won’t bore you with.
Thnx for sharing..
Failed to mention the plant was there 30 plus years I came in the last 5 years before they packed up and left Ca.unfortunately... Was a picture of things to come as has happened with so many here. I’d do it myself if I could..
April, this is absolutely awesome such a clever idea...... well done
Thank's for this video! About how much in total would you say it cost you to make this?
Next up in Predator/Prey evolution is a Phosphorescent Fox.
😂
What was the stoke on the mini linear actuator? When I click the link it says 0.5" but it looked longer than that, or is it based on the size door, and if so how do you determine that?
Good idea. you could also use a programable timer to do this. if you really wanted to get fancy you could use a plug that connects to wifi and you can control from your phone. Just a few ideas i came up with.
I opted for an up-down door on a timer. It requires adjustment of the time as the seasons progress. However, in Summer, they often stay out until the very last moments of daylight. Plenty of nights when they are JUST going in when I go out to collect eggs.
You are quite ingenious, I loved the simple mechanism and component choice.⚡
Thanks! It works great and I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.
Enjoyed this episode. I have two made an automatic chicken door opener. The problem you're going to have is with that 12-volt relay. It only works at 12 votes not at 11.8. I changed to a solid state relay. It operates between 2 and 18 volts.
What was the cost of all the materials? April never mentioned.
How would you wire that
thats so cool like that little door
im getting ready to make a RV at of a school but i like type video
making some out nothing and making with your hands
great video can not wait see what next
Perfect timing!
I built your coop and run and there are days I can not get down to the coop to let the girls out. This is much better than the expensive commercially available coop doors and they generally have mediocre ratings.
Nice vid! I’m about to start designing my own coop door too!
I made one like that last year. Need to redo the relay though. It's not difficult at all to do.
Hi, we ordered your plans for the auto door and we really need a schematic for the components. I think I have it right, Solar Sensor then relay then battery then fuse then Actuator in that order. We can't see how the battery attaches in your video or instructions. Thanks. Janet
Another great video. Thanks for the idea.
Neat little project. Your just a little farmer girl. Thanks for sharing
I'm confused about the inputs from the light sensor. What's stopping it constantly pushing or pulling during the day or night? There must be some electronics to set the latches..??
April, Ive been watching you since you were a beginner. Watched you grow into a really great carpenter. Little girl all grown up. And now you have chickens . I'm proud of you.
Thank you so much!
My chickens dont go in to the coop until it is literally pitch dark. Other purpose built auto chicken coop doors allow you to adjust the sensors on how dark or light you want it to open and close. Or use an alternate set time open time close system. Im guessing this photosensor doesn't do this? Exactly how dark does it get before it closes?
During the winter months when the days are short, a dim light on(inside the coop) with the hens at night will keep them eating and laying eggs much better!That light too, can be on a photocell to shut it off and save electricity at daybreak! You used to be able to purchase a photo cell that could be screwed right into an edison light bulb base between it and the light bulb.
Great DIY, I would suggest you use a lift and lower door that fits in tracks so the predators can't pry it open.
And some of your viewers might also consider using an electric car window opener, they are essentially free and work well if you have any old cars about to get rid of, but pulling one from the junkyard too, or you can also buy them new replacements from rockauto. Also not sure you really need a light sensor, a basic timer is good enough, the time is gets dark at 5pm instead of 9pm is only a few hours and some are quite easy to adjust (see sprinkler timers), or frankly I do electronics and there are circuit boards that can do it some real cheap, like $5 for a 12v relay.
Hi what circuitboard, can you show me?
Nice. Does your system uses power once the door is closed or there's an internal swicth that shuts off the current ?
Felicitaciones April!!!!!! Excelente proyecto!!! - Germán - Montevideo - Uruguay.
How is your dog bath/pool going? Have you had any problems with the door closing early, before the chickens had returned to the coop?
I love it can you please forward me the name of the place where you purchased the door remote or name of everything please
Great video agan April🙂👍
Besides beautiful, you are extremely creative. I’ve loved your videos all these years. Keep it up.
I live in a colder climate. How do you think the cold will impact the operation of the automatic closer? Especially in minus zero temperatures.
the key would be you power source. i.e. on my game cams they operate as low as minus 35 below or even colder with AA batteries, but if I use C cell they are useless just below freezing. depends on your amp/mh draw. you should be ok. if your cold is in a most area and you cake up with ice, all bets are off.
I wondered if you should cover the equipment so the chickens don't peck at the wires? Great video!
I never had a problem with it. By the time they were back in the coop it was getting dark and they were ready for sleeping. During the day they were out and about, free ranging. Thanks for watching.
April. Always enjoy you're video's! Thanks
Glad you like them!
A great video and project, April. You always seem to come up with the right solutions for your problems. Now you can sleep for 5 more minutes every morning, or maybe just think of another thing you want to master. Thanks for sharing! Felix
Hey April, Great idea and use of a light dependent resistor and the electromechanical actuator, what you said. Perhaps you've heard it, why did the chicken stop in the middle of the road? She wanted to lay it on the line. At least it's clean. All the best from Oregon, C.
I have no idea how dark it has to get before the chickens come home to roost as the sun sets. I wonder if you'll have to come up with some way to dial in an "after sunset" delay before closing the door?
The link to the actuator goes to the generic page. What stroke and force did you use April? This project is a must for us urban chicken farmers. Also...do you have a schematic for the relay wiring?
Hi there, we can help with this! The link to the actuator April used: www.progressiveautomations.com/products/micro-linear-actuator
Once you have the stroke and force requirements for your project, you can contact us and one of our engineers would be delighted to recommend our options to you.
@@ProgressiveAutomations My point is, if we are to replicate Aprils build, we need the same actuator she used. A link to that exact actuator would be helpful. It is clear to me that she used a 4" stroke with a 5 lbs force. Also, she linked to a SPDT relay when she really used a DPDT relay. The $10 plan I purchased should have all these parts fully described but they do not. No one can build this door, in the manner that April did, without this info and without a schematic for wiring the unit up.
April, have you tried to force the door open, when it's closed? I curious the amount of force it takes to open it.
In an Instagram Story, she showed trying to open it with her fingers and was unable to open it at all.
@@talladegadude4852 thanks
I always love your enthusiasm with whatever you are doing.
How strong is the actuator?
Would it squash a chook if it was in the way?
It slowly closes. It doesn't snap shut so they would just move out of the way. Once they are going in or out, they don't stop midway. Thanks for watching.
The L-bracket looks shortened, so it would have been nice to see the (perhaps trial-and-error) approach to find the right dimensions and positions.
Some info on that sensor: since daylight doesn't fade perfectly smooth on a cloudy day, you wouldn't want that sensor to open and close again, every time a cloud passes by.
To avoid that, such a sensor had 2 thresholds: for the gate to close, the sensor has to pass below the lower threshold. So, it has to be really, really dark before it actually closes. But it won't just open again if it gets a little bit lighter - it will only open the gate when light rises to the upper threshold. So, it has to be really, really light before the gate opens again. That bit of electronics with 2 thresholds is called a Schmitt trigger.
Brilliant!
"The Chick Inn" lol.
This is soooo much better than the commercial ones. My only suggestion is to build the frame around the door that is closing, inside of underneath the closing door, then you don't have to worry about a small gap.
For instance, allow the door to shut inside of the frame. My experience with raccoons is that, eventually, anything you can pry open, they can pry open.
Anyway, I wish we were friends
What are the specs on your actuator? Stroke length, max force, etc?
That one chicken at the end is like..."Where is everybody!!!...what do i do!!!!...where do i go!!!......Bacck..Bacck...bacck...Bacck!!!" (proceeds to run around like she has lost her head or something) :)
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing with us April. Let’s hope they all get back i safely. 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Fox 1 : Here, take this flashlight and shine it at that sensor thing.
Fox 2: OK, I'll have a red hen, what do you want?
I’m trying to look for your chicken Coop built video can’t seem to find it but I love this door idea
The dogs and chickens get along real well. Great video!
That's awesome April
Wicked! Thanks. I’m about to make a chicken coop from pallets. Yours seems pretty awesome, great work.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
What was your cost in materials? Excluding wood scraps, of course.
Technology and sensors. I'd like to see more interactive and responsive electronic projects, very cool to see.
look up Lady Ada and/or Raspberry Pi; this stuff is fantastic and all the kids should be on to this fast.
I miss these smaller projects that I can use. 😄 Even though I love watching your big projects and are amazed how far you've come. I can't corperate them in my simple life. I adore you and looking forward to your Wood Shed shop remodel. It will be epic! 🤗
April, you are an amazing builder
Nice work on the chicken coop door April! Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👌👍😎JP
Can't wait to copy this!!!!!! Thanks April!!!
Nice video! You could maybe build an acrylic enclosure for the electrical components underneath to protect it from soil humidity. Just a thought! Thumbs up!
Also a hen may start pecking at the wires. Some chickens are weird.........................rj
Does the linear actuator open the control circuit when it's fully extended or retracted? I'm wondering what the effect is of always having current on the control lines.
most of those actuators have end of travel limit switches at both ends so no current is drawn when at either end.
I'm curious what all the parts cost you? Thanks!
What size on the linear actuator did you use?
Just out of curiosity what was the stroke length for the actuator looks like 4 inches?
What if your coop is in the shade, would it be too dark to work?
I connected this up - paid for wiring diagram, and it doesn't work. I have solar panels and I connected to the solar controller load terminals. Do I need to connect direct to the battery? The actuator works with a rocker switch connected to the load terminals. Also my photocell has a red, black. & white wire and wiring diagram has red, black, & orange. I connected terminal 8 on the relay to the white wire on the photocell. I need some help here.
She’s my hero. What a boss.
Que bonito lo has hecho el gallinero es muy guay i bonito
I will be making one of these soon.
How strong does the actuator hold the door closed? Still strong enough to keep out predators?
COOL!!!
🙏🤝🤝🇮🇩
Hey, that's a nice door opener 👍🐔greetings from germany 🐔
Oops, I forgot one other detail the wiring diagram shows the actuator leads as white & black and mine are black & red. I have a Progressive Mini Linear Actuator and I believe you used a Micro , which is a little smaller but should not matter.
MUCH better than the few hundred dollar doors I researched earlier! I would recess the door to help prevent predators forced entry. And please, enclose all your wiring. Some chickens will peck at it..................................rj
Love it going to try this.
Mine works great! Thanks for watching.
I don't need the plans for the door, just the wiring diagram. Is it possible to get that separately?
Is that the small chicken coop? I am going to build it now that I am retired. Great video! By the way you are so kind and considerate to explain your videos and products the way you do. You do an excellent job. :-) :-) :-)
Have you had any problems with the door closing on a hen?
Hmm... There is on/off signal from the photocell and DPDT relay for switching the direction but how does the linear actuator stop? If it is constantly energized, you may end up having to eat all your chickens in one sitting since most will be cooked roughly the same when there is fire :/
I'm going to guess the linear actuator has an end of travel switch at both ends. Some are even designed so that the end travel switches are adjustable.
I use these linear actuators and other like them on robots for a jr. high robotics club and most have limit switches built in. When ones that size do fry they really do produce enough heat to start a fire and with the fuse she should not have a problem. I think we've only ever burned one up.
Esta muy bien esa puerta automática.
is there a back up battery for cloudy days.?
Great as always! Keep up the hard work
I think that everyone has to have that. Great idea. Thanks for the video