Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Time for an update

is that it

After haing received the door assembly from Dicko last week, on Monday of this week I received F&F's contribution to the project - the solenoid valve and 70 metres of 6mm outside diameter pneumatic air tube. Vary exciting I must say.

Been pretty flat out doing shite around the yard this week (am on holidays in an attempt to stave off divorce ) - but today managed to get out to a near by pneumatic supply joint to buy the fittings I need to put the setup together. I've provide a picture of the fittings below. The fittings are pretty cool - in that the air tube just pushes into the black bit of the fitting and locks into place. It is also meant to be able to be removed easilly by depressing the black bit - but of course I had all sorts of trouble removing a small offcut that I used to test the fittings .

Where to from here. I am hoping that sometime over the weekend I'll have time to do a test run on the door. I wont run the pipe to the pen or anything at this stage - I'll just hook it all up with some short lengths of the hose, connect the solenoid to a temporary switch (I have handy an outdoor/weatherproof switch that I'll use for the test - but in the long run I'll wide it up to a plug so I can hook it into a 240V timer) ad give it a run.

It seems pretty obvious where I've gotta put the various hoses onto the solenoid - but will PM F&F to check anyway .

Heaps of thanks go out to Dicko and F&F regarding this project. I'll take some mobile phone video of the thing in action and will hopefully find a way to have everyone see it (Utube if need be).

heh aparently

F&F was suggesting that I provide an update

Figured that out after I posted

I assembled the chopper this morning for a test run. I only used very short lengths of air tubing (30-40cm) as opposed to the long run that will be required from the shed to the chicken pen. Therefore the operation of the chopper will probably be a bit slower once it is installed - if not then I'll need to slow it down. Also I will install a bit of padding at the top and bottom of the frame so it doesn't make a banging noise when opening and closing.

There is a bit of a leak from at least one of the connections to the solenoid. I'd say it just needs a bit more plumbing tape.

I've uploaded a video of the maiden run for you to all view on youtube. Make your own assessment, but in my view the test was a resounding success.

Thanks very much Dicko and Food&Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sWGVIz2rTY

BTW - there are quite a few videos of the traditional type of automatic chicken door openners on youtube.

Door works well,
I'd hate to be the chook thats a bit slow to roost.
sounds like it would crack open Brazil and walnuts pretty easy.

Yep - definitely gonna have to slow it down further if the extra length of tube does not do it sufficiently.

I think I'll also have to do something to prevent access to the opening by my youngest son. I can just see him getting his head chopped off

There's a fitting on the exhaust that I should be able to adjust to slow the speed. I took the fitting off altogether before to see hwo fast it would be with it off. About 5 times as fast as the video

There is probably an air pressure regulator on the output your compressor, Most come with one these days!
you can regulate the force to be "Firmly" closed without being dangerous

Yep - there is. I'll set it lower and check the effect.

So what do you reckon dicko - happy with the result?

Love it vb, well done

the long leads will make a difference yes thet exhaust fitting is adjustable