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Instructions

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WATCH OUR INSTALLATION & SETUP VIDEO!

(Or read the instructions below!)

The ChickenGuard © is easy to set up and maintain.
If you would like any further support, please feel free to contact us.

Download ChickenGuard Digital Instructions Booklet
Download Self-Locking Door Kit Digital Instructions Booklet

ChickenGuard Instructions

INSTALLATION

Attach the Control Box to your Coop

  1. Attach the control box to the inside/outside of your coop. (DO NOT USE A POWER DRILL)
  2. Position the cord centrally to the top of the coop door.
  3. Attach the cord to the top of the coop door (ensuring that you maintain tension to prevent it from unraveling on the spindle).

Note: : Allow 3-4 inches(7.5 – 10cm) gap between the bottom of the control box and the top of the coop door, when the coop door is fully open.
Note: If your cord unravels on the spindle, follow this guide: www.chickenguard.com/rewind-spindle

Place The Seal Into The Front Panel

  1.  Remove the silicone seal from the zip lock bag.
  2. Press the silicone seal into the recess around the edges of the inside of the front panel
  3. Start from the bottom left hand corner and work your way round the front panel.
  4. Remove any excess length

Note: The silicon seal helps ensure moisture is kept out.

Install the 4 x AA Batteries

  1. 1. Install the batteries in the battery holder. Do not use 9V batteries.
  2. Attach the battery connector to the battery holder.

Notes:

Always use 4 x AA batteries (alkaline only) for replacements (we highly recommend the Energizer Max).
Do not use lithium AA batteries (alkaline only).
Do not use 9V batteries.
Do not use rechargeable batteries (as their voltage can drop in hot/cold weather conditions).
When the batteries need changing, the red LED will be permanently lit (the red LED always flashes every 30 seconds when the door is CLOSED). 

Connect the Front Panel

  1. Connect the red/black lead in the control box,to the prongs on the inside of the front panel (with the black wire on top).
  2. Place the battery holder into the control box.
  3. Screw the front panel to the control box. (DO NOT USE A POWER DRILL)

Note: If the red/black lead is connected the wrong way the UP and DOWN will work in reverse.

Initial Setup

  1. Press MENU button twice to turn on (just once if already on) – the screen will display CHICKENGUARD.COM and the time.
  2. Press MENU again to enter main MENU – the screen will display SETUP WIZARD.
  3. Press MENU again to start the SETUP WIZARD.

Automatic Setup Wizard

Select Language

  1. Press UP or DOWN to choose your language.
  2. Press MENU to save.

Select Time Format

Press UP for 12hr clock or DOWN for 24hr clock.

Set The Time

  1. Press UP or DOWN to set the hour.
  2. Press MENU to save.
  3. Press UP or DOWN to set the minutes.
  4. Press MENU to save.

Continue

Select YES with the UP button to continue.

Door Collaboration 

  1. Press and hold UP until the door is fully open.
  2. When the door is fully open, let go of the UP button.
  3. Press MENU to save (the fully open position).
  4. Press and hold DOWN until the door is fully closed.
  5. When the door is fully closed, let go of the DOWN button.
  6. Press MENU to save (the fully closed position).
  7. The display will read: CALIBRATION COMPLETE.

Note: if using ChickenGuard self-locking door kit – ensure wings are fully extended when in closed position whilst calibrating)

DOOR WILL NOW OPEN FULLY AUTOMATICALLY

Continue

Select YES with the UP button to continue.

Opening and Closing Settings

The options below can be independently set. For example, you can have a timed opening in the morning and then use the Light Sensor to close at night.

Press UP or DOWN to choose your preferred option:

  • Manual
  • Sensor
  • Timer
  • Lux+

For detailed information, see the descriptions below:

Manual:

This option is to halt the automatic opening or closing of the coop door. You would have to manually open or close the door by pressing either the UP or DOWN buttons – useful if you have ducks as they are not creatures of habit. For example, you would set a timed opening in the morning and MANUAL for the evening allowing you to make sure they were in safely before manually closing the door.

Sensor:

This option is for automatic opening of the coop door at dawn, or the automatic closing in the evening at dusk, using the Light Sensor.

Note: The Light Sensor is only available on Premium and Extreme models.

Timer:

This option is for automatic opening of the coop door in the morning,or automatic closing in the evening, at your set time/s.

  1. Press UP or DOWN to set the open/close hour.
  2. Press MENU to save.
  3. Press UP or DOWN to set the open/close minutes.
  4. Press MENU to save

LUX+:

This setting uses a combination of both the Light Sensor and Timer. When selecting this option, you will be asked to set a default time. When this is set, theChickenGuard will use the Light Sensor as its primary method to close, but, if it is not dark enough to close using the Light Sensor when the default time is reached, the door will then close based on the default time you set.

YOUR CHICKENGUARD IS NOW READY TO USE

ChickenGuard Extras: Misc Settings

Multi-Timer

This feature enables different timed OPEN/CLOSE cycles for each day of the week. To enable this feature, select it and then, using the UP/DOWN buttons, select the correct day, i.e. If it is Monday today, select MON and then press MENU to confirm.

Now, when you go into the OPEN/CLOSE settings and select TIMER you will need to set the day and time of the cycle. If for example you wanted a different time for Saturday, navigate the >><< symbols to the day, press MENU and then using the UP/DOWN button, change the day to SAT and then press MENU. Now the hour will start flashing. Adjust it to the new time and press MENU. Do the same for the minutes. If you want to change other days, simply repeat. When finished, navigate to EXIT and press MENU to save everything. To disable this feature, simply navigate to the MULTI -TIMER menu and select NO.

Clock 12/24 Hours

You may change the time format here by simply selecting your preference using the UP or DOWN buttons.

Sensor Delay

This feature allows you to set a delay when using the Light Sensor. For example, if the door was closing a little bit too early when using the Light Sensor, you could enable this feature and then, when you select SENSOR in the CLOSE Settings, you now have the option of delaying the closing by anything from 0 to 60 minutes. Simply press the UP/DOWN button to increase/decrease the delay in 5minute intervals. It is also possible to adjust the Light Sensor sensitivity in the LUX Adjustment Menu. To disable this feature, simply select NO in the SENSOR DELAY menu.

External Power

When using an external power source, select this option to disable the battery check, otherwise when using 5 volt power supplies, you will get a Battery Warning indication.

    Unlock Sensor

    Only needed if you want to upgrade a Standard model to enable the use of the Light Sensor. Just let your vendor know the code number displayed and they will supply you with the unlock PIN.  There is an upgrade fee for this service.

    Firmware & Battery Check

    Displays the firmware version and the status of the battery.

    About The Batteries

    1. Do not use 9V batteries – they will destroy the unit.
    2. Always use 4 x AA batteries (Alkaline only).
    3. Do not use lithium batteries.
    4. Do not use rechargeable batteries (as their voltage can drop in hot/cold weather conditions).
    5. When the batteries need changing, the red LED on the front panel will be permanently lit (the red LED on the front panel always flashes every 30 seconds when the door is CLOSED).
    6. When changing batteries, all your settings will be kept in memory, only the Time will need to be updated.

    Checking The Battery Level

    1. Press MENU to enter the programe menu.
    2. Press UP or DOWN until you find: MISC SETTINGS
    3. Press MENU to enter the miscellaneous mode.
    4. Press UP or DOWN until you find: STANDARD, PREMIUM or EXTREME
    5. The battery status should read OK and tell you the voltage.
    6. If the voltage is less than 5.1, it will affect the unit performance and the batteries will need replacing.

    Adjust The Light Sensor

    1. Press MENU to enter the programme menu.
    2. Press UP or DOWN until you find: LUX ADJUSTMENT.
    3. Press MENU to enter the LUX adjustment mode.
    4. Press UP or DOWN and navigate the > symbol to READ
    5. Press MENU.
    6. This will take a quick snapshot of the current light level.

    Light Sensor: Adjusting Open/Close Sensor Values

    To adjust the OPEN or CLOSE trigger values, navigate the > symbol to either OPEN or CLOSE. Press MENU once and then using the UP or DOWN button, change the relevant value. When completed, press MENU to save this value.

    Open: Min=200 Max=253      DEFAULT=210

    Close: Min=0 Max=199      DEFAULT=80

    NB:Darker is a lower number – Brighter is a higher number

    Note: This feature is only available on the Premium and Extreme models.

    Changing The Time

    1. Press MENU to enter the programme menu.
    2. Press UP or DOWN until you find: SET TIME.
    3. Press MENU to enter the SET TIME mode.
    4. Press UP or DOWN to set the hour.
    5. Press MENU to save.
    6. Press UP or DOWN to set the minutes.
    7. Press MENU to save.

    Changing The Language

    1. Press MENU to enter the programme menu.
    2. Press UP or DOWN until you find: LANGUAGE.
    3. Press UP or DOWN to find your language.
    4. Press MENU to save.

    Changing The Door Calibration

    1. Press MENU to enter the programme menu.
    2. Press UP or DOWN until you find: CALIBRATE DOOR.
    3. Press MENU to enter the calibrate door mode.
    4. Press and hold UP until the door is fully open.
    5. Press and hold DOWN until the door is fully closed.
    6. Release the button and the door will automatically open.
    7. The display will now read: CALIBRATION COMPLETE.

    Note: To adjust the open and close positions, you can repeat this process as many times as you wish.

    Using Electric Mains Power

    IMPORTANT

    If there is no movement of the door when pressing UP or DOWN, check that the motor lead has been connected.

    If the door moves in the opposite direction to the button, then check the orientation of the motor lead as per picture below

    Using Electrical Mains Power

    If you want to use electric mains power, rather than batteries then follow these instructions.

    Note: Requires a USB-USB cable and USB charger (not included).

    1. Remove the front panel.
    2. Disconnect the battery connector from the battery holder.
    3. Connect the battery connector to the front panel like so:

    1. Re-attach the front panel.
    2. There is a USB port on the underside of the control box. Simply plug the USB charger into the control box.
    3. To disable the battery check, navigate into the MISC SETTINGS menu and scroll through until you see EXTERNAL POWER. Select YES and press MENU
    4. You will now see on the main menu screen a small flashing X in the lower right hand corner to signify that an external power source has been connected.

    Self-Locking Door Kit Instructions

    Step 1) Align both ‘A’ runners & secure with 2 ‘small’ screws. (repeat procedure for ‘B’ runners)

    Step 2) Align ‘A’ runner to left side of the opening on the chicken coop & secure by using large’ screws. (use spirit level)

    Step 3) Insert door into position ensuring ‘wing’ is extended & secure within ‘A’ runner

    Step 4) Align ‘B’ runner to right side of the door, leave a small gap to ensure door moves up & down freely. Secure by using ‘large’ screws. (use spirit level)

    Step 5) Attach string from door to Chicken Guard unit.

    If worried about the locking mechanism freezing shut in extreme cold weather, this can be dis-engaged – simply ensure the door is in the fully up position, then insert a pin/screw/matchstick (not included) into back of unit to disengage locking mechanism. Door will now run freely without wings locking. Please remember to remove pin in order to re-activate when appropriate. Runners can also be lubricated in order to run freely in extreme weather.

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