Right, connected as per drawing 215. Actuator went out! Light cell covered, does not go back in ........

 

Did you let it time as we don't know the delay?

Yes, I am just sitting here at my desk. Right now the cell is covered, minutes long

 

I think the actuator just got power via the relay, not THROUGH the relay. The LED of the relay is off. The cell is covered now (couple of minutes) but nothing.

 

I think the best option is to get a good quality 12 V photo cell. I now know the relay fires up (from the previous test). I am going to look for one online and post the results here. Surely there must be a better quality cell that doesn't cost a whopping $ 50 nor a meagre $ 5

 

Did you let it time as we don't know the delay?

Yes, it's still on. I just left it. Now a black cloth is on top.

 

No, I tried the drawing. Copying drawings is easy. Mind you, that cell is no longer in a new state ........

Even if you are going to spend more time on a guy you don't know, on some unimportant chicken coop miles away, the most sensible solution is to get a reliable photo cell. I don't mind spending more than a few cents but that's what you get when you enter 'photo cell' in Google. Or some prof stuff that is really expensive.

As they all (well, most) look the same you may spend $ 20 on a cell only to get exactly the same, just $ 15 more expensive.

 

Just curious, what is the led on the photo-cell suppose to be indicating?

That it is receiving power, no more. When you helped me getting the relay powered up by connecting the wires in a different way the LED came on right away.

 

And the adjustment?

I put the small knob in the middle, just as before

 

And the adjustment?

Set in the middle, as before

 

This company make sensors. Sensors only. And a wide range of sensors. Specifically 12 V

Lot's of data and extensive documentation

http://www.akusense.com/goods/7.htm

 

How can the led of the cell light up when you are testing the relay?

I meant the LED of the relay. When under power there is a faint green light

 

Just disconnected the cell. Connected the relay directly on the transformer. The little green LED went on and the actuator moved out. Power off, click could be heard and contact point inside moved! So no damage done.

 

Ok, read 226.

I did. The LED simply comes on when under power, it doesn't do anything else but lit up.

 

Re post #221 There seem some confusion in that reply. My drawing in post #215 does not have an actuator in it. It is using a bulb to show if the sensor is actuated. (When there is no light on the sensor.)
We need clear information to help you.

Les.

 

By the way, and this has nothing to do with the chicken coop. a while back I bought 50 of these. $ 6 for the lot, shipping included. (CAD 7.72)

They work on fairly expensive 12V batteries so I just hooked them up on a transformer. So for the price of a happy meal I got 50 lights that turn on automatically. All 100%.

So not only dirt cheap but also super efficient. And obviously I am extremely pleased with View attachment 226009the result. With over 1000 transactions I really can't complain. This is the first time I got a failed project due to junk products.

 

 

I predicted that, #218.

Yeah, I saw that but as it was back in the garage so I just used the actuator as it's on the table. Plus and minus. Swap wires and something must happen.

 

Why don't you use that to control your relay?

That would be cool. No, all I am saying is that I have bought a lot of stuff, from LED string lights to media players and washer motors to electrical tools and I don't even remember the last problem. I used to buy Bosch (German) screwdrivers but the batteries didn't last long and 2 new batteries cost more than a new one with a battery included. I got the cheapest new screwdriver I could find, bought an extra battery and it's fabulous. Seriously, you can work for days without having to charge it. It's unbelievable how durable this thing is and how long a single charge lasts. And that thing cost me nothing. I have had it for over a year now and it must have screwed 10 miles of thread. The media players were in continuous operation (12 hours a day 365 day a year) for 7 years, then the first 1 failed. They too were cheaper than cheap.

Sometimes it pays to invest serious money, in something you wish to keep for life. I got a tank here, a Sony amp and that will live 100 years for sure. It was expensive, really expensive but life is life. And most things we don't tend to keep forever. Garden tools, yes. Good quality steel and wood etc costs money but it's worth it.

 

Are you rewiring the whole shebang from scratch each time?

No, just stick some wires together and crocodile clamp them. That was the easy part.

 

I normally read fiction.
This could be a best seller!
I like the bit about your bike.
Good luck, you are getting there.