After struggling with a complicated Z-Wave setup, I decided to switch to Raspberry Pi for a cleaner solution. I wanted to automate my chicken coop door, opening at sunrise and closing after sunset. Here’s how I did it!
Components Used
- Raspberry Pi Zero: Compact and affordable, connects to Smartthings via Wi-Fi.
- RasPiRobot Board V3: Controls the linear actuator and powers the Pi from a 12V input.
- DS18B20 Temperature Sensor: Monitors coop temperature.
- 12-inch Linear Actuator: Slow-moving but reliable, my hens even avoid it when they hear it!
- 20W Solar Panel and Controller: Keeps everything powered sustainably.
- 12V 8Ah Battery: Ensures continuous operation.
Setup Process
- Motor Control: Used code from Mag Pi issue 43 to control the motor. Added a cron job to restart the script every 30 minutes for reliability.
- Smartthings Integration: Connected via WebIOPi and the Virtual Pi Relay. Temperature sensor integration was a bit tricky but worked out using advice from the community.
- Solar Power: The solar panel charges the battery, which powers the Pi and motor seamlessly.
Future Plans
- Add a reed switch and LED indicator for door status.
- Install a coop camera and laser tripwire for added security.
- Create a dedicated website and Smartthings app for all coop sensors and controls.
This project has been a fantastic learning experience and a joy to use. The Pi has been rock-solid for six months, and my chickens are happier with their automated door! 
