Review: Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Chicken Coop Door by JVR

[drcluck]

Here is the inside. Two buttons to press and a usb port.
View attachment 3722161

Did

 

[DoveChick09]

I have had this door for a long time and I love it!!! Not one complaint and no issues with the freezing temps here in New England, US. I bought a solar setup for it and it's flawless. I bought a second one but without solar and it works exactly the same with my Wi-Fi. Timer works perfect and if I want to use Alexa, I just say "Alexa, turn on the coop" or "turn off the coop" and the doors open and close. We have Wi-Fi cameras out there too so I can check on them when I'm not home. We have our doors installed on the inside of the coop. I cannot recommend this enough!

 

[Laltic]

Dear BYC community here is my review of the Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Chicken Coop Door by JVR.

I had a need and wanted a chicken coop door that meet the following requirements:

1. Easy to install on my new coop
2. Secure - not able to push up and open it or press in
3. Reliable - need this key piece of safety gear to work day in and day out
4. API integration to be able to control the door from my Raspberry Pi or hard wire it if able

So I looked at everyone out there and I prefer the doors that "Sense" a chicken and then open. There is one that will not even pop a balloon, I like that.

But if I saw one review that said a fox came in and killed all my chickens then that brand was off my list. I saw that a few times. Some of the auto doors are just not secure IMHO.

So I settled in on the JVR Wi-Fi Enabled model. I had Wireless signal and was adding a 120V GFI electric outlet for lights and such so electric was fine.

Let's look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good:
Install was easy. So easy in fact I wanted a second one right away and had enough seeing this one kit to know it was the right door for me.
The use of a Wi-Fi only door not only required wireless in the coop area but my smart phone to download the "Smart Life" app so I can do the setup.
This did everything in one seamless setup and now I had an icon on my phone and 2 remotes in my hand to open/close the door.
The door worked well and sends a notice to the phone when open/close events occur. I was ready to order another after posting to ensure I can have 2 with remotes bound to the correct controller, etc. The MFG quickly confirmed via email this is fine and the unit is addressable so you can have 2 right near each other. that proved true when I setup the second unit without issue. They both show in the app and remotes only work the correct door. The price was also part of the good here at only $150 delivered fast.

The bad:
This door requires you to cover the motor with a plastic bottle as the motor is not waterproof in its housing. That is fine for some as it can be mounted inside the coop in many cases. Mine was outside so I used a gallon jug and cut it out and glued and taped it to the side of the coop in the horizontal install. My second door is a vertical install so a bottle of apple juice upside down over the motor - sure easy for vertical install. Now this was not great but I dealt with it. Then came placement of the proximity sensor. It is difficult because the sensor only has about 6-8 inches of range and the door is 12" wide and tall, so there is no one spot you can prevent a chick from getting in the way and be sure 100% it will set off the sensor. Good news is it is easy to test and reposition and there is a red light when the door is blocked and it stops going down. More bad news is that it does NOT go back up after a detection and it resumes closing from the spot it was at during the detection, i feel this is not ideal for safety. It would be better if it "reset" after detecting an object and opened IMHO - suggestion sent to MFG via E-Mail. Bottom line is this door will break a piece of wood or stick closing. It is strong and can do damage if the path is obstructed. Be careful.

The Ugly:
Now after all the water proofing and delicate placement of the sensor to get best anti-squish results you should be good right? well the bad news is if the doors are open and there is a power failure then when power comes on the doors close. Not ideal as its another chance to squash the chicken if the sensor is not 100% so I put my units on a UPS to ensure no power failure which would result in both doors closing as soon as power was restored. I posted to the MFG as well on this and suggested they open on power failure IF it was open. They would need a way to track state (Open/closed) after power failure so its not an easy ask for them. We will see what future firmware brings. Long term plan on the Sensor for me is to replace it with a better adjustable sensor that has the range of 12 or more inches. The sensor is a NPN NC so that is not ideal or I would just put another sensor in parallel. I will post a follow up on this review if my sensor works better. Here is the one I purchased to try and replace the OEM one with - should work fine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WRGGTG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Overall this was the best door for me because of the integration with Alexa and Google via API as I have a Raspberry Pi computer I am making into a "Coop Controller" which will give me an app or web page with temp, door status, etc....and I am going to use computer vision and check the camera for no chickens in the door before closing since the pi will control everything in the end. Motion Sensors outside turn on strobe lights at night, I have all kinds of plans. The Pi Computer will turn on 2 small fans when its hot, etc........So for me the best door was secure and reliable and 120V not solar or battery. So with any door the end game is reliability. We will see if these motors hold up over time outside and I have a 2 year warranty so that is a good start. So far so good, about 3 weeks in production opening every morning at 7 AM on a timer. I view the coop cam and manually close them via phone remotely wherever I am at by 8PM until I get the sensor sorted out. Then I will close them on a timer by 8 PM as all the girls are in bed by then. Hope this helps someone pick the right door for them.

Is there a way to open the door of the power goes out?

 

[Mouthpear]

My apologies. I have been putting this reply on the back burner since you posted.

Is there a way to open the door of the power goes out?

Yes.
There is a simple mechanical way and then there is an electrical way that you have to use an adapter to do it. Other than those two ways there is not a built-in override option. Well at last I don't see one, and since I don't own one I can not be for sure.


The simple mechanical way:
is to just pull the pins (screws). Removing one or both pins, will allow you to open or close the door, but you will have to tie the door up or prop a "stick" under it to keep it open. Same thing for keeping it closed.

The electrical way:
Using a set of 12V DC 5.5mm x 2.1mm Plug adapters,

You can make a pigtail and connecting it to a 9v or 12v battery and by simply flip flopping the wires, to reverse polarity, you can make it open and close.


You can make a Stand-by "rig" to open and close the door if the controller fails. Using a 5 Pin Window Switch.

The links are Restricted. I will not grant access without a message either before hand, here or in the actual request for access itself. Message needs to state where (link to where you found this), name (Member Name) and a quick note.

I have these and other reasons.

• Let's me know you are serious.
• Gives me the opportunity to inform you and others of updates.
• Some of my diagrams or information may have my personal information.

Link to diagrams:
JVR Chicken Door Window Switch Backup Operation Pigtail Battery
JVR Chicken Door Window Switch Backup Operation Pigtail Power Supply
JVR Chicken Door Window Switch Backup Operation Stand-By Rig Battery
JVR Chicken Door Window Switch Backup Operation Stand-By Rig Power Supply
Folder: Access to all above and future diagrams.


Switches

$6.50 uxcell DC 12V 20A Momentary 5 Pins DPDT Automobile Car Power Window Switch

$9.69 4PCS 5Pin Power Window Switch, Car Universal Glass Drive Switches with Green Lamp DC12V 24V

$17.49 uxcell Universal 5 Terminals Black Auto Car Electric Power Window Lifter Switch 5 Pcs


Switches illuminated

$7.64 Modengzhe 2 Pcs 5 Pin Automotive Power Window Switch DC 12V 20A Window Lifter Controller Momentary Rocker Switch (Blue LED)

$9.48 Power Window Switches, Pack of 4 5Pin Automobile Car Power Window Master Switch Universal Glass Drive Switches with Green Light Indicator DC12V 24V 20A, 1.6 x 0.8 x 1.3in


Switches with plug/harness

$5.99 2Pcs 41mmx21mmx33mm 5Pins 12V 24V Universal Car Power Window Button Switch

$9.99 uxcell Universal 5 Pin Car Window Switch Car Control Master Rocker Switches W Switch Wiring Harness Momentary Glass Lifter Switch DC 12V


Switches with plug/harness illuminated

$7.99 2Pcs 5 Pin Car Window Switch, 12V 20A Double Arrow Pattern Control Power Window Lift, Automobile Car Power Window Master Switch with Wiring(Blue Light)

$6.89 2Pcs 5 Pin Car Window Switch, 12V 20A Double Arrow Pattern Control Power Window Lift, Automobile Car Power Window Master Switch with Wiring(Red Light)


Plug/Harness

$17.99 uxcell Car Power Window Switch Socket 5 Pin Wiring Harness Pigtail Adapter DC12V 4pcs


Disclaimer: These links are Amazon affiliate links. I get a TINY bit of the profits. These are also just a few examples for you to get a start in look for what best suits you.

 

[DoveChick09]

Dear BYC community here is my review of the Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Chicken Coop Door by JVR.

I had a need and wanted a chicken coop door that meet the following requirements:

1. Easy to install on my new coop
2. Secure - not able to push up and open it or press in
3. Reliable - need this key piece of safety gear to work day in and day out
4. API integration to be able to control the door from my Raspberry Pi or hard wire it if able

So I looked at everyone out there and I prefer the doors that "Sense" a chicken and then open. There is one that will not even pop a balloon, I like that.

But if I saw one review that said a fox came in and killed all my chickens then that brand was off my list. I saw that a few times. Some of the auto doors are just not secure IMHO.

So I settled in on the JVR Wi-Fi Enabled model. I had Wireless signal and was adding a 120V GFI electric outlet for lights and such so electric was fine.

Let's look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good:
Install was easy. So easy in fact I wanted a second one right away and had enough seeing this one kit to know it was the right door for me.
The use of a Wi-Fi only door not only required wireless in the coop area but my smart phone to download the "Smart Life" app so I can do the setup.
This did everything in one seamless setup and now I had an icon on my phone and 2 remotes in my hand to open/close the door.
The door worked well and sends a notice to the phone when open/close events occur. I was ready to order another after posting to ensure I can have 2 with remotes bound to the correct controller, etc. The MFG quickly confirmed via email this is fine and the unit is addressable so you can have 2 right near each other. that proved true when I setup the second unit without issue. They both show in the app and remotes only work the correct door. The price was also part of the good here at only $150 delivered fast.

The bad:
This door requires you to cover the motor with a plastic bottle as the motor is not waterproof in its housing. That is fine for some as it can be mounted inside the coop in many cases. Mine was outside so I used a gallon jug and cut it out and glued and taped it to the side of the coop in the horizontal install. My second door is a vertical install so a bottle of apple juice upside down over the motor - sure easy for vertical install. Now this was not great but I dealt with it. Then came placement of the proximity sensor. It is difficult because the sensor only has about 6-8 inches of range and the door is 12" wide and tall, so there is no one spot you can prevent a chick from getting in the way and be sure 100% it will set off the sensor. Good news is it is easy to test and reposition and there is a red light when the door is blocked and it stops going down. More bad news is that it does NOT go back up after a detection and it resumes closing from the spot it was at during the detection, i feel this is not ideal for safety. It would be better if it "reset" after detecting an object and opened IMHO - suggestion sent to MFG via E-Mail. Bottom line is this door will break a piece of wood or stick closing. It is strong and can do damage if the path is obstructed. Be careful.

The Ugly:
Now after all the water proofing and delicate placement of the sensor to get best anti-squish results you should be good right? well the bad news is if the doors are open and there is a power failure then when power comes on the doors close. Not ideal as its another chance to squash the chicken if the sensor is not 100% so I put my units on a UPS to ensure no power failure which would result in both doors closing as soon as power was restored. I posted to the MFG as well on this and suggested they open on power failure IF it was open. They would need a way to track state (Open/closed) after power failure so its not an easy ask for them. We will see what future firmware brings. Long term plan on the Sensor for me is to replace it with a better adjustable sensor that has the range of 12 or more inches. The sensor is a NPN NC so that is not ideal or I would just put another sensor in parallel. I will post a follow up on this review if my sensor works better. Here is the one I purchased to try and replace the OEM one with - should work fine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WRGGTG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Overall this was the best door for me because of the integration with Alexa and Google via API as I have a Raspberry Pi computer I am making into a "Coop Controller" which will give me an app or web page with temp, door status, etc....and I am going to use computer vision and check the camera for no chickens in the door before closing since the pi will control everything in the end. Motion Sensors outside turn on strobe lights at night, I have all kinds of plans. The Pi Computer will turn on 2 small fans when its hot, etc........So for me the best door was secure and reliable and 120V not solar or battery. So with any door the end game is reliability. We will see if these motors hold up over time outside and I have a 2 year warranty so that is a good start. So far so good, about 3 weeks in production opening every morning at 7 AM on a timer. I view the coop cam and manually close them via phone remotely wherever I am at by 8PM until I get the sensor sorted out. Then I will close them on a timer by 8 PM as all the girls are in bed by then. Hope this helps someone pick the right door for them.

You installed this incorrectly. It should be installed inside the coop itself. I have several of these and even with temps in the negatives and feet of snow all of our JVR doors open perfectly. No water issues. It only takes about 20 min to set up too. These doors are perfect imo.

 

[georgesr65]

I need a new Linear actuator, does any one know where you can get one of those?

 

[Blue Andalusian]

Dear BYC community here is my review of the Wi-Fi Enabled Automatic Chicken Coop Door by JVR.

I had a need and wanted a chicken coop door that meet the following requirements:

1. Easy to install on my new coop
2. Secure - not able to push up and open it or press in
3. Reliable - need this key piece of safety gear to work day in and day out
4. API integration to be able to control the door from my Raspberry Pi or hard wire it if able

So I looked at everyone out there and I prefer the doors that "Sense" a chicken and then open. There is one that will not even pop a balloon, I like that.

But if I saw one review that said a fox came in and killed all my chickens then that brand was off my list. I saw that a few times. Some of the auto doors are just not secure IMHO.

So I settled in on the JVR Wi-Fi Enabled model. I had Wireless signal and was adding a 120V GFI electric outlet for lights and such so electric was fine.

Let's look at the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good:
Install was easy. So easy in fact I wanted a second one right away and had enough seeing this one kit to know it was the right door for me.
The use of a Wi-Fi only door not only required wireless in the coop area but my smart phone to download the "Smart Life" app so I can do the setup.
This did everything in one seamless setup and now I had an icon on my phone and 2 remotes in my hand to open/close the door.
The door worked well and sends a notice to the phone when open/close events occur. I was ready to order another after posting to ensure I can have 2 with remotes bound to the correct controller, etc. The MFG quickly confirmed via email this is fine and the unit is addressable so you can have 2 right near each other. that proved true when I setup the second unit without issue. They both show in the app and remotes only work the correct door. The price was also part of the good here at only $150 delivered fast.

The bad:
This door requires you to cover the motor with a plastic bottle as the motor is not waterproof in its housing. That is fine for some as it can be mounted inside the coop in many cases. Mine was outside so I used a gallon jug and cut it out and glued and taped it to the side of the coop in the horizontal install. My second door is a vertical install so a bottle of apple juice upside down over the motor - sure easy for vertical install. Now this was not great but I dealt with it. Then came placement of the proximity sensor. It is difficult because the sensor only has about 6-8 inches of range and the door is 12" wide and tall, so there is no one spot you can prevent a chick from getting in the way and be sure 100% it will set off the sensor. Good news is it is easy to test and reposition and there is a red light when the door is blocked and it stops going down. More bad news is that it does NOT go back up after a detection and it resumes closing from the spot it was at during the detection, i feel this is not ideal for safety. It would be better if it "reset" after detecting an object and opened IMHO - suggestion sent to MFG via E-Mail. Bottom line is this door will break a piece of wood or stick closing. It is strong and can do damage if the path is obstructed. Be careful.

The Ugly:
Now after all the water proofing and delicate placement of the sensor to get best anti-squish results you should be good right? well the bad news is if the doors are open and there is a power failure then when power comes on the doors close. Not ideal as its another chance to squash the chicken if the sensor is not 100% so I put my units on a UPS to ensure no power failure which would result in both doors closing as soon as power was restored. I posted to the MFG as well on this and suggested they open on power failure IF it was open. They would need a way to track state (Open/closed) after power failure so its not an easy ask for them. We will see what future firmware brings. Long term plan on the Sensor for me is to replace it with a better adjustable sensor that has the range of 12 or more inches. The sensor is a NPN NC so that is not ideal or I would just put another sensor in parallel. I will post a follow up on this review if my sensor works better. Here is the one I purchased to try and replace the OEM one with - should work fine. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WRGGTG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Overall this was the best door for me because of the integration with Alexa and Google via API as I have a Raspberry Pi computer I am making into a "Coop Controller" which will give me an app or web page with temp, door status, etc....and I am going to use computer vision and check the camera for no chickens in the door before closing since the pi will control everything in the end. Motion Sensors outside turn on strobe lights at night, I have all kinds of plans. The Pi Computer will turn on 2 small fans when its hot, etc........So for me the best door was secure and reliable and 120V not solar or battery. So with any door the end game is reliability. We will see if these motors hold up over time outside and I have a 2 year warranty so that is a good start. So far so good, about 3 weeks in production opening every morning at 7 AM on a timer. I view the coop cam and manually close them via phone remotely wherever I am at by 8PM until I get the sensor sorted out. Then I will close them on a timer by 8 PM as all the girls are in bed by then. Hope this helps someone pick the right door for them.

I use the same one! Its a bit different though

 

[Blue Andalusian]

I need a new Linear actuator, does any one know where you can get one of those?

I think you can get one on Amazon

 

[Mouthpear]

I need a new Linear actuator, does any one know where you can get one of those?

Amazon and Ebay.