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It's FrankenFeeder time. I've dispatched tons of raccoons because of stolen food. The corn feeder got handled, but the raccoons were still stealing fish food nightly. I had to set traps for them, and wrap chicken wire around the feeder at night, and it's just a general PITA.

So, I'm tearing one of my Sweeneys apart and adding a chicken door that's rock solid. We've used them for 6-7 years, and have had no issues, and only took one battery.

Stripping wiring down, and figuring where to put a second solar panel. I'll have to run any of the exposed wire with 1/2" conduit because the stinkin' raccoons will eat through those wires, and pvc too.


The door is set in place, but taped foam and internal wiring is next. Probably the door under the feeder's set solar panel is where the chicken door solar panel will go. I have a photo sensor that will open the gate at sunlight, and close it at sun down. If not, the door is controlled by a magnet, and can set an open and closed time without any screen or controller that can wear out. The red circle on the black box is controlled by the red magnet sitting on the lift.There's still much to do, but the hard part is over.