That $40 automatic chicken door I bought lasted exactly 4 months

I got one of those solar powered automatic chicken doors off Amazon back in March. Looked great in the reviews and I loved the idea of not having to rush home before dark to lock up the hens. For the first maybe 6 weeks it worked perfectly. Then one rainy week the sensor started acting up. Door would open at 2am or close at noon. Cost me about $40 plus shipping. One morning I found one of my hens just standing outside the coop looking confused because the door never opened. I took the thing apart and the circuit board had visible moisture damage. Took it back to basics and now I just use a simple timer on a light inside the coop. Has anyone else had bad luck with the solar door openers or did I just pick a dud brand?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylorlewis16d ago

The problem isn't just the brand, it's the whole design of those solar units. They trap moisture inside the housing because the seal is basically just a gasket made of cheap rubber (if you're lucky enough to get one at all). The solar panel itself collects condensation from temperature changes overnight, and that water drips right onto the circuit board. Even the "waterproof" ones I've seen in person have tiny vent holes that defeat the whole purpose. You'd think they'd pot the electronics in epoxy like they do for outdoor holiday lights, but that would add maybe fifty cents to the cost. A simple timer inside the coop is honestly more reliable because there's no sensor to fail and no battery to corrode in the first place.

hannah_wright16d ago

Would potting the whole thing in epoxy really add that much to the price compared to how often people have to replace them now? I've seen a few DIY fixes online where guys just cover the whole circuit board in silicone caulk or liquid electrical tape, and those units hold up way better than the stock ones. Seems like the manufacturers are cutting a corner that costs them more in warranty returns than it would to just do it right from the start.