Re: Doggie doors

[AZ Woody <reply@here>]

Sorry..  you seem to be looking at technology here and not what's real.

Given enough time and resources, you can train your pet to use a keypad
too! :)

Remember, the original post contained "I'm wanted to install some doggie
doors in the house for some future residents".

That kind of means that it should be something quite simple for the
"future residents" (not who installed it).

I know for me as someone who shares a house with 4-legged critters, (I
don't own them..  they are roommates) an ABSOLUTE WORST CASE would be if
my DIY solution failed, and my own pets came to harm because they were
"locked out" of their house.  (even a power failure could do this unless
the DIY solution takes this into account).

I know in my own case, there has been a time that a neighborhood
"critter" tried to enter.  My roommates defended their turf, and that
critter was never seen again...


Robert L Bass wrote:
>> I have similar questions. I'm building the door itself from scratch but
>> would like a commercial solution that controls direction from which the
>> pet-collar will cause door to open.
>
> This can be a relatively easy DIY project, Marc.  You need a proximity reader that's good for at least half the width of the pet
> door, a prox keyfob or card (cut off all but the essential part) which you can affix to Fido or Mitsy's collar, a power supply and a
> solenoid to release the door.  For a more robust door, you can use an electric door strike of the same variety used to regulate
> entry to apartment building lobbies.
>
> Since all of these are existing technology items, your only challenges will be in building a door that swings in and out but can be
> controlled by the strike.  The simplest solution is two doors -- one for ingress and one for egress -- side by side.
>
> Another possible lock/release mechanism is a solenoid cabinet lock.  These draw a short bolt, usually about 1/2" throw, out of a
> fixed strike plate inside the cabinet when 12VDC is applied.  When power is lost a spring drives the bolt back into the plate.  To
> make this work you'll need to integrate a magnetic sensor to keep power flowing until the door realigns after the pet passes
> through.  That way the bolt won't throw with the door open which would otherwise keep it ajar for every pet in the neighborhood.
>
> If anyone's interested, I can supply all of the components except the pet doors themselves.
>