Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Very nice
What are your thoughts on supplying the air to the ram Dicko. DO you think that a 12 volt air pump (tyre type) would do the job. These would not shut off at a certain pressure though - so would need to be switched based on teh location of the door (or ram).

HeHeHe, Hit "refresh screen" and the thread disappeared!!
Took a minute to sink in where it had gone, Nearly PMS

Car pump will do the job if we put a pressure switch into the line, but it may wear out fairly quickly so you would need to keep an eye on it, Decent kits like the ARB offroad ones will last and they have pressure switches built in But they start at a couple of hundred dollars

Most pneumatic equipment suppliers (Yellow Pages) will supply 5-6mm airline (that looks a bit like airstone hose but will take over a hundred PSI) this is usually very cheap and can be buried by cutting a line in the grass with a lawn edger and poking the tube into the slot, or if you want it deeper, cut the ground with a shovel, and poke the tube down into that.

That way you can use the compressor in the shed and still run the 12v timer in the chook pen.

nice work, Dicko



look out:
might be patented !!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillotine

frank

better still: run two lines and keep all electric items, timer, valves etc... in the shed
then you won't need electricity in the pen

personally I would have the cylinder up high, with all tubing out of reach for the hens

I am willing to donate the tubing and the connectors if you pay for shipping
all for the sake of kool

frank

you only need one line and one valve if the door is "spring loaded" i.e by a counterweight

the valve must then be 3-way, with one open gate to allow the air to escape from the cylinder
it can still stay in the shed

frank

Frank - steve was suggesting the same - and I'm half inclined to do so if I go with the compressor in shed.

I'm not a fan of that cheap air line - I have got holes in that cheap stuff previously (though might have had something to do with the line touching against a hot motor on compressor ).

So with that valve that F&F posted - did it need to have direct contact with the ram - or would it be possible to have it in the shed with a line feeding the ram.

Got a question to get my mind around something - to make the ram contract - is the air just released from it and therefore the compressor not needed to do this part, or is the compressor used to push the ram the other way. Reason I ask is that if the air is just released, why couldn't one use just the one line and release the air through the valve connected to that line while power is switched off to the compressor. I'm pretty sure my understanding of how the ram works is flawed - so this question will sound stupid

Beat me to it Frank - I'm speaking about kinda the same thing, just a bit different.

How many psi those things need to move, ?aquarium pump 12v.

Bugger, looks like 14psi min.

there are single acting and double acting cylinders:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_cylinder

you can have the valve in the shed, there will be a slight delay in the action.

good tubing will last for years if not exposed to UV

but you can use a 25 mm PE tube too

while you're at it, draw a second line anyway with the valve in the shed for automatic, timed watering of your hens... kooool !!!

frank

forget it.

a cheap miniature portable 12V compressor like the ones they sell for adjusting your car tires pressure should do the trick
http://cgi.ebay.nl/RING-Mini-12v-portab ... dZViewItem

and for those with some imagination and low budgets, a tire inner tube can replace the cylinder
you can lift huge loads with one of those as they provide big surface and pressure is expressed in psi, bar or kgs/cm³
calculate the surface area of a deflated inner tube, multiply this by your pressure and you obtain the lifting potential
you will be amazed at the results!

but go easy on the pressure lest it will explode unless you hold it in some kind of chamber

or use a professional inflatable lifting cushion:
http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Air-Springs- ... ns-n686459

frank

WARNING !!! don't EVER use PVC for compressed air applications !!!

extremely dangerous as if it explodes it will shatter in very sharp splinters !!!

frank

Thanks for that timely warning frank!!! 100% agree.

Got about 15 munutes before my next scout meeting

Can get through a couple of answers and I'll be back later!

Cylinder works on positive pressure advance & retract,

Two airlines from the shed WILL allow every thing to be run from the shed,
and is a good idea, See what the tube costs, but it will be less than a decent 12v system.

1 PSI is enough to actuate the cylinder, but it will only be held open/closed at 1 psi.
(30 psi on the test today was too much to hold with one hand)

The "Cheap Tube" I refer to is cheaper than normal airline but far superior in uv, quality etc.
It is used for "Pneumatic Circuitry" and capable of up to about 200 psi.

Oops, Gotta go,
Back later
Dicko

Dicko this may or may not be a silly question

Can the rams be driven by water?

I might try one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/HAYWARD-GOLDLINE-JA ... 240%3A1318
It's a valve actuator. Very high torque. You can get them for 90 or 180 degree movement and the stroke limit switches are built in, so the motor is always protected. Most take 10-30 seconds to open or close so no chicken will be harmed be the door closing...Unless it really wants to be hurt. This one is powered by electricity, so no air lines or compressor. But others are made to operate with air.
Add a day/night photo sensor and you should be good to go...