12v photocell wiring

[Erni]

The relay will need to stay on for the antenna to be up as stated. You could conserve power by shutting off the antenna and then turning off the green wire relay. But I think you will need a microcontoller to get that done.

Have you thought about an Aduino?

https://www.instructables.com/id/Aut...n-Coop-Door-2/

[Irving]

Yes I thought about a an Aduino, but if I can't even figure out how to wire this, an Aduino seems beyond my skill set. I've got a couple of small panels that charge up an 18 amp hour deep cycle battery that is powering nothing at this time. Based on my experience with the near identical solar set-up in my van, this should have no problem running the door for probably a few days with no sun. Since it will require power during the day, the panels should be charging the battery the whole time anyway. Granted, right now I have some tiny free panels charging the battery, but at some point I'll increase the capacity of the system and go a little crazy.

[Irving]

Brews, where is the third wire on the photocell on your diagram?

Nevermind. Looks like you left off the ground and I'm supposed to be smart enough to figure that out. I'll give it a shot.

[SideShow Bob]

Brews, where is the third wire on the photocell on your diagram?

Nevermind. Looks like you left off the ground and I'm supposed to be smart enough to figure that out. I'll give it a shot.

You do realize that the photo cell that you have is controlling (switching ) the DC - on the diagram printed on it don’t you ?

You will have to adjust the wiring to the relay accordingly.

[Irving]

No, I don't understand what you mean. I had assumed that the white wire of the photocell is what turns on and off depending on the open and close of the photocell. I was going to wire it up just like Brews diagram.

[SideShow Bob]

If you look at the diagram on the photo cell, the DC+ is supplied to the lamp (load) base side. The the lamp (load) center pin is “switched” by the photo cell which would have to be DC-.

Just run one relay coil terminal (85) to DC+ and the other relay coil terminal (86) to the red load wire of the photo cell.

Then wire the black wire of the photo cell to DC-, and the white wire of the photo cell to DC+ .
This will allow you to actuate the relay from the photo cell, just be aware there may be a delay built into the photo cell, and you will need to wait the appropriate time while the photo cell is covered over.

[Irving]

Perfect, thanks. One day I'll probably buy your a beer, or give you a fresh egg.

[SideShow Bob]

I have a 12 VDC power supply I can give you if want it to do wiring tests and prototyping of DC projects so that you don’t have to hump your battery to and fro.

And when you are testing, use a low amp fuse on your battery, you don’t want to have a full current short.

[Irving]

I don't move anything around, I just stand on a barrel and stick my head in the trap door, really.

I am out of fuses. Right now it is fused between the panel and charge controller, and battery and charge controller. Once I get this set-up I'll go get another fuse.

[SideShow Bob]

I don't move anything around, I just stand on a barrel and stick my head in the trap door, really.

I am out of fuses. Right now it is fused between the panel and charge controller, and battery and charge controller. Once I get this set-up I'll go get another fuse.

What ? You don’t have a work shop or at least a work bench to lay out parts and do prototype projects ?
Playing around on your actual field equipment is a good way to end up with flaming chickens running around your back yard.....