Project Interest

[jade2020]

Hi, I'm very interested in your project! It looks quite cool

We recently got a coop and some chickens and we're looking to automate the door opening. I have a raspberry pi zero w, linear actuator, dc transformer, JBtek 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module.

I know your project uses a geared motor rather than an actuator and I was wondering if your setup might still work with an actuator.

Would appreciate any feedback and I'm open to PM.

Thanks

[fallais]

Hello,

Thanks for the feedback, to be honest I am also very interested into using a linear actuator, because the "wire" system has the little default to get out of hand after some amount of time.

I did not choose the linear actuator because I think that it can hurt chickens when the doors closes, whereas the wire is soo slow that the only risk is that a chicken is stuck below the door, but the door is very light.

What do you think ?

Anyway, let's work together around this, it could be nice to add this feature :)

[jade2020]

Hi François, Thanks for your email. I hear you about the linear actuator. It is actually very very slow in opening and closing. I just bought one and I confirm that it’s very very slow. Our chickens always go to the roosting bar as soon as it gets dark and I plan on setting the closing of the door well after they’ve all settled to avoid any accidents. In any case, even when I close the door manually, the chickens always move out of the way. I’ll be very happy to work with you on this. I don’t have much experience of electronics, but I do work in IT for a living so I'm familiar with docker, shell scripting etc. Out of curiosity, why is docker being used in this instance? With the help of a friend, we've just finished getting electricity to the coop today so I'm all set! Are there any other parts I need? Regards,

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On Sat, Jul 31, 2021 at 4:39 AM François A. ***@***.***> wrote: Hello, Thanks for the feedback, to be honest I am also very interested into using a linear actuator, because the "wire" system has the little default to get out of hand after some amount of time. I did not choose the linear actuator because I think that it can hurt chickens when the doors closes, whereas the wire is soo slow that the only risk is that a chicken is stuck below the door, but the door is very light. What do you think ? Anyway, let's work together around this, it could be nice to add this feature :) — You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#22 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALAKY72HSZRGXLEKQEDCGS3T2OZEBANCNFSM5BJSDYHQ> .

[fallais]

Hi,

The application allows you to set the time of opening and closing with two modes :

• Based on sun : 30min after for example, or 20min before
• Based on fixed time : 18h for example

Everything should be explained in the README, if not, I will imporve documentation

The application is made with Golang, everything is already work, I just need to add the "linear actuator" feature, I should only be a few lines of code. I will need to known how you wire it in the Raspberry, especially the PIN number. I should not be so different than the motor.

Docker... I do not know, I always use it with Golang as they are good companions, but to be honest it is useless for the Raspberry, I could provide a binary release with the Github actions. I will add the issue for this.
I should also create an issue for the linear actuator.

I also should improve the application by making it more portable : remove Redis and do not use Angular for the frontend but make a tiny frontend directly served by the Go web server

[jade2020]

Hi, I haven't wired it yet so to make it easier I could just use the same pins on the pi that you used. I don't have a motor driver but I do have a JBtek 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module. Can I use this instead of a motor driver?

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On Sun, Aug 1, 2021 at 5:54 AM François A. ***@***.***> wrote: Hi, The application allows you to set the time of opening and closing with two modes : - Based on sun : 30min after for example, or 20min before - Based on fixed time : 18h for example Everything should be explained in the README, if not, I will imporve documentation The application is made with Golang, everything is already work, I just need to add the "linear actuator" feature, I should only be a few lines of code. I will need to known how you wire it in the Raspberry, especially the PIN number. I should not be so different than the motor. Docker... I do not know, I always use it with Golang as they are good companions, but to be honest it is useless for the Raspberry, I could provide a binary release with the Github actions. I will add the issue for this. I should also create an issue for the linear actuator. — You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#22 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALAKY75UT4VJUUPERP3K4TLT2UKTZANCNFSM5BJSDYHQ> .

[jade2020]

Hi Francois,

Did you get a chance to make the changes to allow an actuator to be used?

Regards,

[fallais]

Hello, not yet sorry, holidays and so :)
But I have a question, why using a 220V actuator ? Isn't it safier to play with 12v ?
And, how is the actuator working ? Do you have to reverse the power to open and close ?

[jade2020]

No problem! I understand :-) I’m using a 12v actuator not a 220v one. Yes, I have to reverse the polarity to retract the actuator. Thanks

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On Sun, Aug 29, 2021 at 12:48 PM François A. ***@***.***> wrote: Hello, not yet sorry, holidays and so :) But I have a question, why using a 220V actuator ? Isn't it safier to play with 12v ? And, how is the actuator working ? Do you have to reverse the power to open and close ? — You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#22 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALAKY77ZVI3HIH3R4BISXS3T7JQFZANCNFSM5BJSDYHQ> . Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub>.

[fallais]

Hum.. I don't get it, the JBtek 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module seems to be a 220v relay (searching on Google) so I think it won't work without a motor driver like the one I use. What did you have in mind regarding the relay, maybe I miss it

[jade2020]

I thought I might be able to use the relay instead of the motor driver. No problem, I can use a motor driver instead.

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On Sun, Aug 29, 2021 at 4:06 PM François A. ***@***.***> wrote: Hum.. I don't get it, the JBtek 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module seems to be a 220v relay (searching on Google) so I think it won't work without a motor driver like the one I use. What did you have in mind regarding the relay, maybe I miss it — You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#22 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALAKY76LJVO3DDM7H3XWTLTT7KHK7ANCNFSM5BJSDYHQ> . Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub>.

[fallais]

I think it is better yes, meanwhile I worked on all the modifications I wanted to make, I pushed the code today.

[jade2020]

That's awesome news. As I think about it a bit more though, I don't think the L293D will be able to drive my actuator...My actuator is rated with a max current draw of 4.6Amps. I've looked at IBT-2 type motor drivers (e.g. Motor Drive Module, BTS7960 43A Motor Drive Controller Board High-Power Driver), but the price range for those seems to be very variable - I've seen these priced at anywhere from $18 to $80!! Delivery time seems to be in the order of 3-4 weeks for the IBT-2 (at least here in Canada)

[fallais]

Hello, I just realized the same thing : some people say on Amazon that the linear actuator is more comfortable with a 16A power supply ! oO

It means we need a stronger driver, let me take a look as well.
Moreover, I thing I will improve the installation of my friend with a linear actuator, so I will be working on this too.

[jade2020]

Glad you’re thinking along similar lines too! I think that’s why I was originally thinking of using a relay which can take very small inputs but then supply the required output. I don’t think a 16a power supply is needed. I currently have it working with 2 digital timers, spdt relay, and an 8.5A power supply. It’s working great. Ideally though I wanted to use a raspberry Pi in place of the timers so as to get more functionality from the Pi - gui, remote access, automatic time adjustment etc. John

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On Mon, Sep 6, 2021 at 2:54 AM François A. ***@***.***> wrote: Hello, I just realized the same thing : some people say on Amazon that the linear actuator is more comfortable with a 16A power supply ! oO It means we need a stronger driver, let me take a look as well. Moreover, I thing I will improve the installation of my friend with a linear actuator, so I will be working on this too. — You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#22 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ALAKY72EQDEI6FDIFCIPBFTUARQTVANCNFSM5BJSDYHQ> . Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub>.