A while ago someone posted their diy programmable hay drop.
I would like to make something similar and I cannot find that post.
I have an IR horse who I’d like to feed Triple Crown safe starch forage during the night. Anything that opened to allow the forage to drop into a bucket is what I’m looking to make.
The post I am referring to had a trap door that dropped on a timer and a flake of hay fell out. With some minor modifications I could use that same idea for this forage to drop down.
if anyone has any idea and can give me instructions on how to set up a timer for a door or funnel to open I would really appreciate it.
or if anyone has that post or can find it I’d like to contact the OP to get directions.
Thanks!
Bump! Does anyone know how to make a programmable hay feeder?
Does anyone know how to make a programmable hay feeder? Help
I remember the thread. Let me sleuth a bit!
I think this might be the thread you were looking for:
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Thank you so very much. I searched, I googled to no avail. You get good karma for finding that thread!!! Thank you, thank you.
This (an automatic hay feeder) is on my long-term project list!
Some of the initial work is in the automated cat feeder: http://wsmoak.net/2016/04/03/cat-feeder-fabrication.html
That one has a proximity sensor and a motor that turns an augur. I’m experimenting with a solenoid pull-latch to drop a shelf.
-Wendy
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Sounds like something that would be useful. Know any engineering students, or other creative types who could develop one?
Already responded to OP pm, glad you found my original post!
I paid a friend s husband to build this so I can’t really advise on the electronics. But handy hubbies build these quite often in our barn, they look at xn existing model, get a glint in their eye, and say I can do that, even better! 
so I feel like the timer to solenoid concept is one that handtmen already understand. Then you just need to rig up a latch that can be activated by the solenoid retracting.
Timers and solenoids can be used to build on off switches for timed lights or even sluice gates for watering. I had never even heard of them before but like I said, handymen seem to know all about the general idea.
Btw are the photos still visible in my old link?
They were for me, I could see the series of ‘shelves’ in the drop station.
Were there more photos?
The solenoids retract and this releases a tab that is holding up the shelf. I’ve also seen people arrange it so the solenoid retracts and pulls out a pin that is holding up the shelf.
