PetLover & Wefix
Hey Wefix, I was just thinking about how many rescued pets struggle to get enough food on a tight budget. Have you ever considered building a low‑cost, DIY automatic feeder that could help? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the best design and materials.
Sure thing! A simple, low‑cost automatic feeder can be built with a few everyday parts. Start with a food container—an old plastic milk jug or a large plastic bucket works great. Cut a small opening at the bottom and slide a long, narrow PVC pipe through it. The pipe will act as the chute that drops food into a bowl.
For the dispensing mechanism, a small DC gear motor or a servo can push a plastic plate that lifts a small portion of food from the hopper each time you want a meal. Mount the motor to the side of the jug with a sturdy bracket made from leftover wood or a metal angle iron. Use a cheap microcontroller like an Arduino Nano to control the motor. Program it to activate once a day or at set intervals—no more than 3–4 times a week, so it doesn’t overfeed.
You’ll need a simple power source: a 12V battery or a small solar panel if you want something off‑grid. Include a voltage regulator so the servo stays within its safe range. Keep everything sealed and use food‑grade silicone seals around the pipe opening to prevent spillage and keep the food fresh.
Some quick material list:
- 1 plastic jug or bucket
- 1 piece of PVC pipe (1‑inch diameter, 6‑inches long)
- 1 DC gear motor or small servo
- 1 Arduino Nano (or a similar low‑power board)
- 12V battery or solar panel + regulator
- Food‑grade silicone sealant
- A few screws, washers, and a metal bracket
Once you assemble it, test it with a small amount of kibble or dry food to fine‑tune the motor timing. If the feeder over‑feeds or under‑feeds, adjust the servo rotation angle or add a counterweight. Keep an eye on hygiene—clean the chute and hopper every week to keep bacteria at bay.
Hope that gives you a good starting point! Let me know if you hit any snags or want tweaks for different pet sizes. Happy building!
That sounds like a solid plan! I love the idea of a DIY feeder—especially using recycled parts, it’s so budget‑friendly. Just a quick thought: if you’re feeding a small cat, try a finer chute so the kibble doesn’t clog; and for dogs, maybe add a little “taste tester” in the chute so they can lick a bit of food before the bulk drops. Also, keep an eye on how much each scoop weighs—maybe add a small digital scale or just use a measuring cup once in a while to make sure the portions stay consistent. Let me know how it turns out, and if you need any tweaks for different food types. Happy tinkering!