Hi, nice design. If I may add my two cents on the 3 way switch for those that aren't familiar with it. On a 3 way, you will not see the words 'ON/OFF' on the toggle handle. Also, do not count the green ground screw, but 1 of the 3 screws will be a different color, 2 will be the same. Something like 1 black screw and 2 brass colored screws. These are the 3 screws you will use for your circuit. The odd colored/black screw will receive the power from your single pole 'OFF/Enable' switch. All green screws can be connected lastly to the metal box ground screw and the ground wire from your 120 volt supply wire.

Nicely done. I like the electrical diagram explanation.

I really like your design because it doesn't use a battery and photocell. I am familiar with regular house wiring, but not electronics or relays. I understand your schematic but not sure about the kind of timer/relay I need. I want an On Delay timer that goes to 60 minutes. The one I'm thinking of buying is a "Uxcell AC 110V 8P 0-60 minutes range adjustable delay timer time relay AH3-3+base" from Amazon. Will that work? My confusion is especially with the fact after reading about relays, it seems that relays are to "relay" power from DC to AC. Can the relay work just using a AC source?

I like it, but it's far from "simple"

I like the durability and simplicity, and its a good design.... but seems kinda of expensive for the actuator unless you can get one from someone for cheap or have one... any tips on getting/finding this main component for a cheap price? Thanks, good Video BTW.

What is the rotating component that attaches to the top and bottom of the rod? I have purchased the actuator but I need some help with the additional parts.

How much if a person haf to purchase retail all of this stuff?

I installed this in my coop and it works perfectly. I had to by 1/2" square stock to insert into the square hole of the actuator and a piece of flat bar stock which I heated/twisted 90 degrees. I JB welded the flat bar stock to the square stock to make my linkage. I bought the metal items a the the blue big box store. I then installed 2 swivel fittings and a round rod to complete the linkage from my plywood door and the actuator. I bought the actuator off of ebay. Thank you for the idea to get me going!

Nice Job, could you give some specifics on the normally closed contacts? maybe a model #. I found a Belimo spring return direct coupled damper actuator on Ebay just not sure on style of contact.

I would like to add an update. Does this work? yes. however, I am going to remove the photocell and install a 120 volt timer in its place. Why? I live in an area where sunny days are rare. The clouds cause the setting sun time to be off drastically at times. Too many times, the door has closed and my girls are outside. So, to avoid this, I will set the timer to open the door after the sun is up and it will close after dark, and by that time, the girls will be inside. Overall, I do love the auto door since I go to work sometimes before sunrise and get home after sunset. On rainy nights, I've had to get the soaking wet girls inside cause the door closed via the photocell.

Hi, copying this design and curious about your timer. Any chance you could post a pic of your timer setup? Would like to see what you have in the enclosure. Thanks!

can you train a chicken like a dog with a bell after sun goes down, instead of switches, solar panels,

power failure birds get locked out?

PARABENS MUITO BOM1

Not certain about the points made but ,if anyone else wants to learn about easy chicken house designs try Wondsting Coop Builder Wiki (do a google search ) ? Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my m8 got great success with it.

Just walk out there and take care of your chickens and get off your lazy hiney. Check on your chickens in person and see how they are doing, if you're not going to be home, just have a friend or neighbor close or open them up for you. These always always jam or malfunction and fail your chickens, a definite fail.

I just got one of these. I don't know how to do carpentry, plumbing, or anything like that so I bought the complete door with motor and timer from AutomaticChickenCoopDoor.com It was like $185 and I just had to plug it into an outlet and screw it to my coop. These things are a lifesaver aren't they?! Ive had to leave my wife at dinner at times to run home and make sure the chickens were locked up in the past. Now I don't have to do that. I can trust that my door will let me chickens in and out everyday without any issues. I highly recommend any Automatic Chicken Coop Door to every poultry keeper as they will change your daily tasks and make it so much easier! Your chickens will appreciate it too!