Automatic chicken coop door opener

[darylhewston]

G'day fellow workshoppers,

Finally got around to designing, building and installing the new auto door for our girls.  I was quiet shocked at the price of purchasing a pre-built opener, but I've put together a price list and can understand why these items are expensive.  Anyhoo, I will attempt a how-to on this project.

Here are the parts required for the build that I put together.  Motor, photocell, double pole double throw relay, timer, transformer, micro/limit switches and an enclosure to put it all in. (The black transformer may be used as an alternative).

I had to make a shaft for the motor so as to lift and lower the door.  I decided to use a bolt with a hole drilled in the end to suit the shaft.  A couple of very large washers and nuts and a smaller bolt tapped to lock onto the shaft as a key.

Time to put it all together.  Wiring is via the diagram attached below.  I also decided to install some LED marker lights I had as surplus to come on just prior to dusk and turn off after a couple of hours (photo upside down for some reason).  I did a test run at this stage to ensure it worked.

The following is after installing on the coop.  The little pulleys allow the door to open/close without binding.

The rope is just plain 'gunline' and is not prone to rotting.  I will probably replace this with something more permanent in the future.

Last but not least is the placement of the micro/limit switches which shuts down the motor when either in the raised or lowered position.  In this case I used a long bolt and positioned the switches to allow activation.

Here is the wiring diagram.  It may look a bit intimidating but it is foolproof.  

If anyone wants a PDF version, just let me know.  Also if you have any questions, please don't hesitate.

Nearly forgot the price list.

24v DC motor with 48RPM reduction gearbox - $10.80 (ebay)

Photocell - $3.26 (ebay)

Relay - $4.70 (wholesaler)

Timer - Free but can purchase for under $20.00

Transformer - Free but approx $20-30 on ebay

2 x Limit switches - $12.00 (wholesaler)

Enclosure - $32.00 (wholesaler) but can get much cheaper without clear lid.

Cable, connectors and misc stuff - Approx $5-6

Labour not considered (approx 4 hours to put together, test and install).

Considering a pre-made purchased unit costs upwards of $250.00 - $400.00, I think I made the right decision making it myself.

Cheers'n'beers

Daryl

[Jason]

@dani2526,

Just wanted to let you know that Daryl contacted me last night. He wanted me to pass on his apologies that he is currently unable to assist due to changed personal circumstances. 

Please let us know how you are going with the project and I can ask other Workshop community members for any assistance you might need. 

Jason

[Baretta11]

@darylhewston,

We no longer have chooks as we have an egg farm only a few kms up the road but due to a late return on our farm one night we found 60 chooks, roosters and chickens all dead. Always vowed if we ever got chooks again, I'd make sure we had an auto door so the chooks were safely inside and the door shut by dusk.

Well done with your contraption, hope you don't mind me calling it that, looks very professional!!

Cheers,

Barbara

[dani2526]

Thank you for letting me know. I’ll put up

a post requesting help from the group instead. Thanks! 

[jeremy108]

Hi there, I was just wondering if anyone could recommend any wholesalers to get these parts? I'm in Melbourne but happy to order and get it delivered as well. 

Thanks

[Jason]

Thanks for joining in the discussion @jeremy108. Great to have you as part of the Workshop community. We look forward to reading more about your projects and plans. Are you also building an automatic door opener for a chicken coop?

I'm sure members will be happy to help make some recommendations for you about electrical suppliers. Let me tag a few members who might be able to assist, including @Electron, @BobTaylor, @r23on and @Brad. 

Welcome to Workshop,

Jason

[jeremy108]

Thanks a lot Jason!

Yeah, I just started with three chickens in Camberwell, Melbourne. I'm an amateur workshopper though so I'll have to see how I go. Most of the other ones out there are like $300 and are vertical, whereas I need mine to be horizontal. Don't suppose there's anyone in Melb who'd be keen to help out? I'd be fine with paying for the specific assistance as well!

[Kermit]

If you can't find what you need at Bunnings, I'd try Middys and/or Jaycar.

[Brad]

I never knew Middy's have a couple of stores in Adelaide.

The share holder self interest in me would say Cabac but it seems to not have it all listed on the web from my quick look.

[BrianDStuart]

Is the reason for the timer simply to operated the lights - I cant see how it has anything to do with the motor.  

[Baretta11]

@BrianDStuart

Hi Brian,

I would assume the timer is there to operate the opening and closing times of the door.

Chooks always come home to roost just on dusk and having a timer to shut the door just after dusk assures the safety of the chooks should the owner not get home in time to manually close the door and find a fox has taken advantage of the situation with fatal consequences like I had once talked of in an earlier post.

As for the door opening with a timer to let the chooks out in the daylight, the time this occurs is not at all vital just whatever suits.

Hope this explains why a timer is necessary as we're talking about an automated system designed purely for the safety of the chooks to be locked away mainly at night.

Cheers,

Barbara