Fun with Stoker Motor

Post Reply
 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Sun. Jan. 06, 2019 5:18 pm

I wanted to make a Automated cat feeder (kinda pricey online and reviews weren't that great for some). Figured I had most of the parts to make one. Our one cat that eats everything all the time and while we might be gone for a long weekend or something.

I used my spare stoker motor, high torque, low RPM, mounted a plate, some pipe fittings, made a plunger mechanism, hopper, put a digital 8 program timer on it, so it runs only 1 minute (so far) 3 times a day, gives him just enough food. :) so far so good.

Attachments

cat_Feeder1.jpg
.JPG | 68.5KB | cat_Feeder1.jpg
cat_Feeder2.jpg
.JPG | 63.3KB | cat_Feeder2.jpg
cat_Feeder3.jpg
.JPG | 107.7KB | cat_Feeder3.jpg

 
User avatar
coaledsweat
Site Moderator
Posts: 13763
Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Sun. Jan. 06, 2019 5:36 pm

That's pretty neat!

 
User avatar
CoalJockey
Verified Business Rep.
Posts: 1324
Joined: Sun. Mar. 09, 2008 11:18 am
Location: Loysburg, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Several EFM 520 refurbs...one 900, one 1300 mega-stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: (2) Warm Morning Stoves

Post by CoalJockey » Sun. Jan. 06, 2019 7:29 pm

Lord have mercy 😂

Now that is just plain awesome engineering. I’m betting that Fluffy is not very impressed with it but it’s for his own good.

I needed a good chuckle this evening, thanks for posting that!

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Sun. Jan. 06, 2019 8:06 pm

Humm,,, A cat stoker. I might have to build me one of those!

-Don


 
CoaLen
Member
Posts: 601
Joined: Wed. Apr. 09, 2008 7:05 am
Location: Geauga County, NE Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Keystoker Koker
Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by CoaLen » Sun. Jan. 06, 2019 9:34 pm

Dave,
I laughed out loud. You're my hero for this week! :clap: :clap: :clap:
-Len

 
User avatar
coaledsweat
Site Moderator
Posts: 13763
Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Mon. Jan. 07, 2019 8:19 am

You know we're going to need the video!

 
titleist1
Member
Posts: 5226
Joined: Wed. Nov. 14, 2007 4:06 pm

Post by titleist1 » Mon. Jan. 07, 2019 8:33 am

Fantastic!!! :clap: +1 on the video! :yes:

I was just thinking a lower cost option for those without a spare stoker motor, a windshield wiper motor might also work. They often get used for motion in Halloween props with or without speed controls.

 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Mon. Jan. 07, 2019 6:50 pm

Usually don't do videos, but here you go guys!! due to the great feedback, glad I can entertain you. My wife thinks I'm nuts, we all like to tinker in our shops. but she's pretty happy how it works!! Plus a IP camera to monitor how it works. thats what the xmas lights are for to show it's running from the timer. Use the idea of how the coal stoves work. by pushing the coal. :)

The timer is set for 1 Min x 3 times a day, it goes about 1.5 turns. I might reduce to 2x a day, it pushes quite a bit of food, or reduce the stroke arm closer to the center of the wheel. :) So far, so good, running 2 days now. Kitty is Happy! :)

Attachments

IMG_8963.MOV
.MOV | 109.7MB | IMG_8963.MOV


 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Thu. Jan. 24, 2019 7:42 pm

Feeder has been running since i posted this, slight bottom double elbow redesign so the food doesn't fly everywhere, LOL
We went on vacation and all was well. Kitty was very happy! :)

 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Thu. Dec. 26, 2019 6:46 am

1 year update. Running flawless since I built it! no adjustments or changes. Cat can hear the motor start up and food hitting the bowl and comes running. LOL.

 
User avatar
Hambden Bob
Member
Posts: 8535
Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Thu. Dec. 26, 2019 8:51 am

You know,Dave... When I reread this whole deal,i initially took it as You were stokin' cats into something! Yeah,nuts I know,but really,would You expect anything less of me?? On the serious side,nice job of getting in complete touch with Your Mad Scientist Side and keeping that Mountain Lion fed while You're away!!

Post Reply

Return to “House, Gardening & DIY Projects”