- Oct 16, 2012
- 3
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Hello!
So, I inherited a chicken coop that a friend of mine built. He had to move before he even got chickens. Anyhow, he installed an automatic coop door of unknown brand (more on this in a moment).
Here's what happened:
I think it must be the board. There is some text at the top about some other setting that reads "Open the timing" and shows a button but there is just a three prong receptacle of sorts. (You might be able to see it if you zoom in.)
Deep breath. Thank you already if you made ti this far. It's a lot, but I figured I would be as detailed as possible.
And, just thank you if you have any advice!
-Sean
So, I inherited a chicken coop that a friend of mine built. He had to move before he even got chickens. Anyhow, he installed an automatic coop door of unknown brand (more on this in a moment).
Here's what happened:
- It takes 12v DC power so I connected it to my solar panel charge controller, coupled with a battery.
- I set the time and the open/close times in immediate succession to test the door.It worked! For a few days....
- On about the third night, I noticed that the door was open far after it was set to close. So, I reset the times again in succession to test it.
- The door opened about an inch from where it was, then when the timer signaled to close, it closed only about an inch to where it was.
- I set it to open so that it would be in the open position physically (how it looks in the picture) and in the timer board.
-
- I removed the power supply and let it stay off for about an hour. There is no obvious reset feature.
- Plugged it back it, set it and tested it. Same problem!!!
- I removed the piston, motor and door, laying it in such a way to relieve any kind of friction or pressure. Same problem.
- I also unplugged the safety motion sensor in case it was malfunctioning.
- I did test in in succession again after that to make sure that this didn't effect the basic operation.
- It operated the same as when it was plugged in.
- Same problem...
- Unknown brand with no supporting documentation.
- Only has a timer feature. Evidently there were remotes, but they're with the lost socks I'm guessing...
- I found two auto coop doors by different brand names (Vevor and CO-Z) with boards that look nearly identical to mine.
- I contacted CO-Z who just wants proof I purchased it to offer any help.... I just want the manual from them really
- My friend also told me that, while he can't find the manual, it was a poorly translated piece of paper that wasn't very helpful. I believe him. We've all seen manuals like this.
- He never used it.
- Here is a picture of the main board in case anyone has one of these:
- I am unsure what all is going on this board, but there are four buttons.
- The top engages setting the time.
- Below it are two more, '+' and '-' for adjusting the time and timer settings.
- The fourth button is for learning the remote which I don't have, so it doesn't really matter.
- Seven wires from left to right:
- 12v+
- 12v-
- motor +
- motor -
- Sensor+
- Sensor
- Sensor -
I think it must be the board. There is some text at the top about some other setting that reads "Open the timing" and shows a button but there is just a three prong receptacle of sorts. (You might be able to see it if you zoom in.)
Deep breath. Thank you already if you made ti this far. It's a lot, but I figured I would be as detailed as possible.
And, just thank you if you have any advice!
-Sean