[Foxy]

OK I have a photosensitive door opener - I have never had to wipe it clean in 2 years and has worked perfectly -please dont ask me any questions  :shock:  but happy to post piccys!

[poultrygeist]

Thanks Foxy. Obviously solved that one !!  

I'm just trying to work out a circuit diagram for the rest

[poultrygeist]

Right then. I may be wrong but I'll have a go at describing it.

limit switches are normally closed.
light switch has changeover contacts.

common on changeover wired to +ve
n/c on changeover wired to 'closed' switch.
n/o on changeover wired to 'open' switch.
other side of limit switches commoned and wired to motor +ve.
rest of cct much as slatz's. But 12v motor would be easier.

Now tell me I'm completely wrong !
It's been about 6 years since I worked in control systems.

Rob

[Slatz]

You're wrong  

[poultrygeist]

*  :x

[Slatz]

Don't know if you are wrong or not, it's just you invited folks to tell you that you were.

Once the bits arrive I can start experimenting.

Light sensitive switch from Maplin is this one.

http://www.velleman.be/downloads/0/manual_mk125.pdf

[poultrygeist]

That's always the danger with these forums. I can't wallow in the fantasy of being perfect. There's always someone out there ready to shatter my confidence with the terrible truth.  :?

I sketched it out a few dozen times and I think it would work. It's not terribly elegant but the whole thing revolves around getting the motor to drive then stop and then go back again. Mine is similar to yours except the limits are n/c and the changeover common is wired to the +ve.
A 12v motor would make it easier but then I've not sourced anything.
I'll do a schematic tomorrow and post up so you can properly see where I've gone wrong !  
Unless i come up with something better meantime.
Best of luck. Enjoy the experiment.  
Rob

[henpecked]

nerds  :roll:



....I'm only jealous    


Actually my bro is a spark....might get him to sort mine out...he only lives 3hrs away and usually solves my leccy troubles via phone and my useless description of switches and wires n stuff...so that should be no trouble!

[Slatz]

I once tried to diagnose the strange bleeping that was coming from my mothers burglar alarm over the phone.  Turned out is was the smoke detector battery needed replacing.  You can't tell which direction the noise is coming from over the phone.

[henpecked]

Reminds me of a friend who complained to me for weeks over the phone about her neighbours burglar alarm making strange noises...it was only when I went round and we sat and listened to try and catch the offending neighbour, noise pollution complaints drafted to the council...that we realised it was her alarm  :oops:

[poultrygeist]

Having spent the morning doing something useful I've had another look and I retract my comments.
It should work and I was ignoring the polarity change on the motor in mine.
I think you may have problems with the lowering of the hatch due to friction unless you've got some cunning easy slide mechanism ?

Can't wait to see it wired and in place.

I will expect to see a video of it by Saturday.  

Rob

[Slatz]

Give the postie a chance!  I only ordered the bits yesterday.

As for closing the door, your good friend and mine Isaac Newton will be lending a hand with his new invention, gravity.

[poultrygeist]

My money's on his nemesis friction !  

But a nice lump of steel on the bottom edge should give it a hand

[mdueal]

:shock: as long as you don't end up with decapitated chickens!!

[5aday]

Hi all,  I am not at all technically minded however I fitted an "off the shelf version" last October, we have never had a problem with the light sensor and it has never been wiped.  The only problem we had was when the door warped and would no longer move smoothly up and down the runners.  This problem was soon solved when OH decided to replace the wooden door with my plastic chopping board which was exactly the right width and was waterproof!  If I want to close the door manually I simply disconnect the wire from the hook on the door and allow gravity to do the rest, If I want to open the door early for any reason I would disconnect the wire again and use a piece of wood to prop the door up.  The girls are very cute at knowing what time the door will close, the timid ones go in early and the daredevils seem to time it to the last minute.  I think the automatic opener and more importantly, closer is brilliant as if I am late home I know my girls are safely locked up and out of harms way.  Hope this helps.  Teresa