Hi,
My daughter is supposed to identify a problem and then create something to solve it. She identified that if we are not home when it gets dark, our chicken coop remains open putting the chickens at risk for a predator attack.
Her solution is to build an electro-magnet that will hold the door open as long as it's light outside. When it gets dark, in theory, the electrical supply would be cut, the magnet would no longer be magnetic, allowing the door to drop closed (it is hinged on the top) and lock shut with a cabinet latch. It would have to be manually opened in the morning.
Her plan is to use a battery, maybe 9 volt, to create the magnent. I am not sure if that battery is strong enough or not. The door is built from 1/2 plywood and is approximately 12" x 8". We thought maybe a photo resistor could be wired in, between the battery and the magnet and that would cut the power supply when it gets dark.
Does this sound feasible? I have no idea what kind or size of photo resistor we would need.
Any thoughts on her project? Thanks!
My daughter is supposed to identify a problem and then create something to solve it. She identified that if we are not home when it gets dark, our chicken coop remains open putting the chickens at risk for a predator attack.
Her solution is to build an electro-magnet that will hold the door open as long as it's light outside. When it gets dark, in theory, the electrical supply would be cut, the magnet would no longer be magnetic, allowing the door to drop closed (it is hinged on the top) and lock shut with a cabinet latch. It would have to be manually opened in the morning.
Her plan is to use a battery, maybe 9 volt, to create the magnent. I am not sure if that battery is strong enough or not. The door is built from 1/2 plywood and is approximately 12" x 8". We thought maybe a photo resistor could be wired in, between the battery and the magnet and that would cut the power supply when it gets dark.
Does this sound feasible? I have no idea what kind or size of photo resistor we would need.
Any thoughts on her project? Thanks!