Summary

This is the old version, look for Squirrelinator Trap Latch for newest version.

Edit This could be scaled up for a automated pet door. The IOT board used could have Wifi, Bluetooth, read a RFID device and then send an alert.

I've had a Squirrelinator trap for about 6 months and have had great luck catching
squirrels. It also has worked very well at catching skunks which I don't always
like having in my trap.

This is an automated door that opens on sunrise and lowers on sunset to prevent
the night time creatures like skunks and possums from getting caught.

I took a RC servo and modified it to just a geared motor drive and put on a
22 tooth gear that raises and lowers the door. The servo listed was easy to
convert to full 360 rotation and use the metal gear to press fit to the printed gear.

I used a ESP32 feather from EzSBC to monitor a photo resistor to open and close the door relative to the light level. The Aideepen motor driver draws very little current when both input pins are low so I powered the hole unit from a 18650 cell. It should run for month's without charging the battery. Power to a hall effect sensor and the photoresistor are provided by a IO pin pulled high. The unit draws less that 25 microamps when asleep. Not all ESP32 boards are created equal so if you use a different board you might
check the current. More info in the source code provided.

A fun electromechanical project for the advanced maker. Assembly is shown
in the photo, fit everything first to make sure your ok. I printed the rails laying
down and had to drill out the rail holes with a long 1/4 inch drill bit. I put a rod
down these to secure to the trap but you probably don't need too. The doors slide
on and off very easily but the weight seems to keep them in place.

I hope this is of some use even if you don't have a Squirrelinator trap.

Parts used

Aideepen Dual Motor Driver

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075S368Y2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

EzSBC Feather

https://www.ezsbc.com/product/esp32-feather/

DRV5013AGQLPGM

TI hall effect sensor latching https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/595-DRV5013AGQLPGM

https://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-a13060300ux0519-Unipolar-Magnetic-Detector/dp/B00IFD0F7M/ref=sr_1_5?crid=36PCCTWMWQE1H&keywords=hall+effect+sensor&qid=1642287541&sprefix=hall+effect+sensor%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-5

PhotoResistor

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7V536K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Servo