I have been looking for a timer based automatic door opener for my wife's chicken house. They cost a lot for what I think can be built rather cheaply. But I need help for the electronic parts.

My idea is to use a cheap electric screwdriver as the drive unit. They already have batteries with AC Adapter for line power, are reversible and the chuck can hold the drive shaft that can rotate the pulley that will raise the 12x12 inch aluminum door up and down a slide track which I have already built in situ.

I need help or ideas about how to wire the entire setup with a timer and even a remote (bonus only on the remote). I think two micro switches up and down to run the motor cut out (so it stops correctly up and down) and to control the reverse circuit with the timer (remote?) somewhere in there is the correct set up.

Can anyone help with the details? My wife will appreciate it (I could care less-but don't tell her!)

Cliffy

 

There is dozens of ways to do it with electronics, am posting about a mechanical alternative:
A wind-up alarm clock (those biggie ones with bells on top) usually do turn the windup crank when the alarm sounds.

A string wound onto that shaft can easily pull a door latch that will open the spring loaded door or raise a gate. (you do not mention need to close it after)
Bonus, the alarm will wake-up lazy chicken too.

__________________
Abolish the deciBel !