Rooster Squisher 3000: Squish-Proof Safety

Holding chickens in predator-prone areas calls for critical fortifications, however even essentially the most sturdy coop can grow to be a problem with out automation. That’s the place [lcamtuf] steps in together with his Rooster Squisher 3000, a intelligent DIY automated door mechanism that opens and closes primarily based on ambient mild ranges.

The rooster coop he beforehand constructed didn’t embody a mechanism to mechanically shut the inside door at evening, that means that preparations must be made ought to [lcamtuf] need to depart city for a few days. Not desirous to go together with a business choice for this door as that might require a great deal of modifications to the unique door setup, the Rooster Squisher 3000 provides minimal components to the prevailing door to now open and shut the door at daybreak and nightfall.

Utilizing a 12 V DC motor with a gear discount, he was capable of generate greater than sufficient torque to open and shut the thick wood door. As a substitute of a posh geared rack and pinion setup, [lcamtuf] has the motor mounted to a clean rod that then applies pressure throughout the swing of the door connected with a rod finish bearing. Driving the door’s automation is an AVR16DD14 microcontroller which is used to learn the NSL-A6009 mild sensor. [lcamtuf] makes use of a DRV8231 motor driver for controlling energy going to that 12 V motor with the additional advantage of having the ability to modify stall torque to dial in a worth robust sufficient to beat the wood door’s friction, however weak sufficient to not endanger any of his birds. There are additionally buttons on the metallic enclosure used to override the sunshine sensor ought to he need to override it manually.

Thanks, [lcamtuf], for sending in your newest weekend undertaking; we love the resourcefulness of utilizing only a handful of low cost components to make a strong answer to your coop. For those who haven’t seen them but, you should definitely take a look at a few of our different rooster coop door hacks featured earlier than.