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Adjusting ADOR open and shut times
The ADOR does not use a clock timer. Instead, it uses an infrared light sensor and a built-in algorithm to detect sunrise and sunset. Open and shut times automatically adjust with the seasons — no reprogramming needed as the days get longer or shorter. From there, you can fine-tune the timing relative to those events using program settings.
How sunrise and sunset detection works
The ADOR senses the actual ambient light level outside the coop, not a scheduled time. “Sunrise” and “Sunset” in this context refer to the technical definition: the moment the sun crosses the horizon. The factory default settings open and shut the door close to those published times for your location.
A few things worth knowing:
• Trees, overhangs, and overcast skies are not a problem. The ADOR technology has been proven across a wide range of environments over more than 14 years of deployments.
• Artificial light sources near the coop — such as heat lamps, incandescent porch/yard lights, or WiFi cameras (they have infrared flood lights) — can interfere with the light sensor and prevent the door from shutting at night. This is easy to resolve with minor adjustments to the light source or sensor placement. Call us if you need help. If you can make a shadow on the sensor from the direct interfering lamp, that works.
• If you check a weather app, the listed Sunrise and Sunset times for your location are a good reference for what the ADOR is responding to.
Adjusting the timing
The factory settings work well for most installations, but two program settings allow you to shift the open and shut times to suit your situation.
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Program |
Setting name |
What it does |
How to set it |
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#2 |
Daylight Sensitivity- More sensitive |
Extends the time the door stays open past sunset. Useful for chickens that are slow to come in, or when starting out with a new flock. |
Set program #2 to delay shut time about 15 - 20 minutes past Sunset. |
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#11 |
Delay On Open (DOO) |
Delays the morning door opening by a set amount after sunrise. Can be set to minutes or hours. If set to 9 ** the door will not open automatically — you press the button to let chickens out manually, and the door will still shut automatically at its shutting time. When you set program 11, the LED turns on, then press the button as many more times to set the delay time in the table to the right. |
1 |
20 min |
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2 |
40 min |
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3 |
1 hour |
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4 |
2 hours |
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5 |
3 hours |
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6 |
4 hours |
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7 |
6 hours |
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8 |
8 hours |
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9 ** |
20 hours |
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Most common adjustment Delaying the shut time using program #2 is the most frequent change new users make. It gives slow or distracted chickens extra time to come in after sunset before the door closes for the night. |
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Using DOO as a manual morning release If predators in your area are still active after sunrise, or if you want to keep the hens inside on extremely cold mornings, or you want them to be encouraged to lay eggs inside the coop instead of in the yard you can set program #11 (DOO). Select the delay time you want. But if you do not want the door to open in the morning set 11-9 so the door does not open automatically in the morning. Press the button when you are ready to let the chickens out. The door will still shut automatically at dusk. |
Programming video guides
To make any program changes, you first need to enter Program Mode. The videos below walk through the process.
• Video: How to set the ADOR to Program Mode
• Video: Example programming session — programs 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11 (covers the delayed shut setting #2 and the Delay On Open setting #11)
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Need help? If you have questions about your specific installation or light environment, we’re available by phone, text, or email. Contact us at adorstore.com. |