I have one set of timers that wires up like yours. I have another set of timers where it can use 12V AC or 12V DC and doesn't matter how you wire it. I guess it has a little bridge rectifier inside. I just changed from using the relay board to using two 5 pin car relay switches. I applied some silicone on the board because I was worried about water getting to it either while I was looking at the timer or some weird accident. I love your chicken coop and your automatic door. I built my coop not long ago and Love it. Now my birds can be let out every morning and be safe at night all without me. Which came in handy when I got really sick. I was trying to figure out a setup which would give me a backup door opening system. However if you aren't careful you burn up a relay board. The idea was what if something fails, a battery, solar panel (or long term bad weather), a timer, a relay board. I wanted another door timer system that would operate the door 10 minutes after the first one. Love the video.
Aztec Warrior because I couldn’t get the the door to open early enough and close late enough to work properly. Then add in the odd cloudy day and the timings were very unreliable.
Aztec Warrior Hey, I’ll try to explain what I mean. I was using one photo sensor. I don’t know if you have ever actually used one for a chicken door but because it has one sensitivity screw the point at where it operates is set for opening and closing. Some cloudy days it would be delayed in opening as it was still day (but the hens were wanting out), like wise at night if it was a dull evening, the door would shut too early. I couldn’t find an appropriate balance. I have built a timer system in my garage with a long wire to the hen coop. Works great. Perhaps if I used two photo sensors (one for open and one for close), I could adjust each one to be ideal.
Thank you! Just built. I didn't realize there were different operating voltage of the same timer CN101A models. I bought a 220v one and wondered why nothing was working and kept trouble shooting it for about an hour when I narrowed it down to the timer being the issue. Then I saw the label on the back. Quickly went online and found out there are various voltages from 220, 110, 24, and 12. So don't be like me, and get the one you need, in my case, a 12v since I was using the solar to a motorcycle battery route. The one that came in the mail for me is wired up the same as this video.
Hello Mike, Thanks for the wiring explenation. I will be trying to adapt this to a timer triggered lifting cover and gate for my robot lawnmower. The lawnmower needs to pass-trough a fence for which a gate will be opened daily for 2 hours and than closed for 22 hours. The timers i can purchase. My question is; how can i find the correct relay? What search description will lead to the type you have wired-up? Thanks again for the video, and if possible your answering my question. B.R. Kars
Hi Kars, thanks -- the products I used are listed in the blog writeup here: blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-ii.html ... you can get different relays if you have different power requirements for your gate. The module makes it easy but any two SPDT relays will work.
Hi Jon, I used 16-gauge wire. My actuator draws 5 amps max. The wiring diagram link is in the video description or here: blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-ii.html
Using 2 timers does complicate setup a bit, but has big benefits. With only 1 timer, the timer relay stays on for the whole day (or the whole night). My original post was for a solar-powered setup, so power conservation was the main goal. Using two timers is far more power efficient since the timer relays are only on for a few minutes each day, versus ~12 hours each day if you used 1 timer. Another consideration is longevity. The timer relays tend to burn out if the relay stays on for hours each day, as it would with a 1 timer setup. The only setup I've done with 1 timer is the Honeywell solar programmable timer where I specified an industrial-quality relay which can handle a long duty cycle.
@@MikeWickenden Thank you Mike, I understand your concept now a very good idea indeed, so I built your system exactly the same, and it worked first time.. Good videos and good details, you’ve made an old man very happy 😊 Cheers. 👍
No, this setup needs two timers because the timers only have one function, although the timers support multiple events, that doesn't help. In theory you could use one timer programmed for one event that keeps an H-bridge DPDT relay energized the whole time the door is open, but I think that would wear out the relay & wastes electricity. If you go to my blog at blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-photocell.html & look the wiring diagram for the photocell setup, that's how that setup works.
Hi Mike, I have the wiring correct but the timer screens and flashing and not readable, have you experienced this problem before? I have three timers which I have changed around but without any luck
Brendan Cook hmm I have an old CN101A timer with a dead internal battery, but if I hook it up to external power it works fine. Not sure what to suggest other than return your timers as defective & try getting new ones :(
Hi Dan, the timers are SPST meaning they can only switch one lead, from open (disconnected) to closed (connected). So for instance if you had the timers switching positive power, you'd need ground connected to both actuator leads. But then any timer that switches on causes a short circuit...
If anyone wants a wiring diagram that uses cheap 6 dollar automotive SPST NO relays and 2 timers give me a shout. Ideally I would have used DPST NO relays but couldn't find them readily. My circuit also has an interlock relay that protects the circuit in the event of both timers coming on at the same time.
No, because although each timer can be programmed with 17 different EVENTS, they only each have 1 FUNCTION. Each timer is just a SPST (single pole single throw) relay -- it switches off/on, & just one lead.
@@MikeWickenden Well guess what I got my actuator working off of 1 timer,,,It opens at 6 AM and closes at 630 PM so just so all the other readers are wondering the same thing i got the answeres,,
@@AztecWarrior69_69 Well my relay works off a tractor batterey,,,,which is monitored by a batterey tender soooooooo the system is powered and backed up 24/7,,,,,I`m smart,,,I ran power to my coop,,,for Heat and Air
I have one set of timers that wires up like yours. I have another set of timers where it can use 12V AC or 12V DC and doesn't matter how you wire it. I guess it has a little bridge rectifier inside. I just changed from using the relay board to using two 5 pin car relay switches. I applied some silicone on the board because I was worried about water getting to it either while I was looking at the timer or some weird accident. I love your chicken coop and your automatic door. I built my coop not long ago and Love it. Now my birds can be let out every morning and be safe at night all without me. Which came in handy when I got really sick. I was trying to figure out a setup which would give me a backup door opening system. However if you aren't careful you burn up a relay board. The idea was what if something fails, a battery, solar panel (or long term bad weather), a timer, a relay board. I wanted another door timer system that would operate the door 10 minutes after the first one. Love the video.
Thanks, I purchased the same relay from Amazon and this video help me figure out how to wire it.
Outstanding, thanks for sharing. I’ve moved away from a less reliable photo cell system to this.
Aztec Warrior because I couldn’t get the the door to open early enough and close late enough to work properly. Then add in the odd cloudy day and the timings were very unreliable.
Aztec Warrior Cool. I must say, I’ve used timers for two years now and it’s faultless.
Aztec Warrior works well, just not practical for me.
Aztec Warrior Hey, I’ll try to explain what I mean. I was using one photo sensor. I don’t know if you have ever actually used one for a chicken door but because it has one sensitivity screw the point at where it operates is set for opening and closing. Some cloudy days it would be delayed in opening as it was still day (but the hens were wanting out), like wise at night if it was a dull evening, the door would shut too early. I couldn’t find an appropriate balance. I have built a timer system in my garage with a long wire to the hen coop. Works great. Perhaps if I used two photo sensors (one for open and one for close), I could adjust each one to be ideal.
Add another person to the list you helped out. Works great thanks for sharing!
Finally a video clearly and simply showing how to wire all this up. Thanks!
Thank you! Just built. I didn't realize there were different operating voltage of the same timer CN101A models. I bought a 220v one and wondered why nothing was working and kept trouble shooting it for about an hour when I narrowed it down to the timer being the issue. Then I saw the label on the back. Quickly went online and found out there are various voltages from 220, 110, 24, and 12. So don't be like me, and get the one you need, in my case, a 12v since I was using the solar to a motorcycle battery route. The one that came in the mail for me is wired up the same as this video.
Hello Mike, Thanks for the wiring explenation. I will be trying to adapt this to a timer triggered lifting cover and gate for my robot lawnmower. The lawnmower needs to pass-trough a fence for which a gate will be opened daily for 2 hours and than closed for 22 hours. The timers i can purchase. My question is; how can i find the correct relay? What search description will lead to the type you have wired-up? Thanks again for the video, and if possible your answering my question. B.R. Kars
Hi Kars, thanks -- the products I used are listed in the blog writeup here: blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-ii.html ... you can get different relays if you have different power requirements for your gate. The module makes it easy but any two SPDT relays will work.
Right to the point. Thank you
Hi....is there a wiring diagram for this setup, with that specific relay switch? Also, what size wire did you use? Thanks!
Hi Jon, I used 16-gauge wire. My actuator draws 5 amps max. The wiring diagram link is in the video description or here: blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-ii.html
I can’t understand why your using 2 timers ?
You can set 1 timer to open & close coop door ..
Using 2 timers does complicate setup a bit, but has big benefits. With only 1 timer, the timer relay stays on for the whole day (or the whole night). My original post was for a solar-powered setup, so power conservation was the main goal. Using two timers is far more power efficient since the timer relays are only on for a few minutes each day, versus ~12 hours each day if you used 1 timer. Another consideration is longevity. The timer relays tend to burn out if the relay stays on for hours each day, as it would with a 1 timer setup.
The only setup I've done with 1 timer is the Honeywell solar programmable timer where I specified an industrial-quality relay which can handle a long duty cycle.
@@MikeWickenden Thank you Mike, I understand your concept now a very
good idea indeed, so I built your system exactly the same, and it worked first
time..
Good videos and good details, you’ve made an old man very happy 😊
Cheers. 👍
@Mike Wickenden
Can't this be done with just one timer by programming it?
No, this setup needs two timers because the timers only have one function, although the timers support multiple events, that doesn't help. In theory you could use one timer programmed for one event that keeps an H-bridge DPDT relay energized the whole time the door is open, but I think that would wear out the relay & wastes electricity. If you go to my blog at blog.netscraps.com/diy/heavy-duty-automatic-chicken-coop-door-photocell.html & look the wiring diagram for the photocell setup, that's how that setup works.
Hi Mike,
I have the wiring correct but the timer screens and flashing and not readable, have you experienced this problem before? I have three timers which I have changed around but without any luck
Brendan Cook no, hmm. Flashing & unreadable all the time or just when the event is triggered?
All the time
Would this happen when the internal battery is flat?
Brendan Cook hmm I have an old CN101A timer with a dead internal battery, but if I hook it up to external power it works fine. Not sure what to suggest other than return your timers as defective & try getting new ones :(
Why do you need the relay? Why can't you just connect the timers, with polarities reversed, directly to the actuator?
Hi Dan, the timers are SPST meaning they can only switch one lead, from open (disconnected) to closed (connected). So for instance if you had the timers switching positive power, you'd need ground connected to both actuator leads. But then any timer that switches on causes a short circuit...
If anyone wants a wiring diagram that uses cheap 6 dollar automotive SPST NO relays and 2 timers give me a shout. Ideally I would have used DPST NO relays but couldn't find them readily. My circuit also has an interlock relay that protects the circuit in the event of both timers coming on at the same time.
yeah gavin i need help i have the same type setup as shown,,,,but with only 1 timer do i "HAVE" to have 2??????????? any help would be great
Why do you have 2 timers,,,when each timer has 17 functions????cant 1 timer open AND close the door???????
No, because although each timer can be programmed with 17 different EVENTS, they only each have 1 FUNCTION. Each timer is just a SPST (single pole single throw) relay -- it switches off/on, & just one lead.
@@MikeWickenden Well guess what I got my actuator working off of 1 timer,,,It opens at 6 AM and closes at 630 PM so just so all the other readers are wondering the same thing i got the answeres,,
@@mrcoz1764 sure with one timer it energizes the relay all day while the door is open. Not ideal & the relay will fail a lot sooner.
@@AztecWarrior69_69 and a relay that reverses polarity to the other direction
@@AztecWarrior69_69 Well my relay works off a tractor batterey,,,,which is monitored by a batterey tender soooooooo the system is powered and backed up 24/7,,,,,I`m smart,,,I ran power to my coop,,,for Heat and Air