I'm working on making a actual frozen food auto feeder!

[Reefering1]

I've been brainstorming a frozen feeder. Considering a dosing pump that auto flushes with rodi every feeding

 

[randomfishdude]

I've been brainstorming a frozen feeder. Considering a dosing pump that auto flushes with rodi every feeding

That could be a good idea.
I'm trying to make it as small and simple as possible.

I know that would require another pump and a good few feet of line.
Which means more stuff that can break.
Along with more cost for me and consumer.
Maybe there could be a way to route ato though there? Like a port on the side.

 

[Reefering1]

Or utilize the pressure of rodi system and only need a 3 way valve, or a t and 2 solenoid valves. And some mechanism to time it all

 

[Reefering1]

That could be a good idea.
I'm trying to make it as small and simple as possible.

I know that would require another pump and a good few feet of line.
Which means more stuff that can break.
Along with more cost for me and consumer.
Maybe there could be a way to route ato though there? Like a port on the side.

To me, low maintenance is key. I'd rather repair something every couple years than have to clean it every few days

 

[randomfishdude]

To me, low maintenance is key. I'd rather repair something every couple years than have to clean it every few days

Exactly.
I think I will be able to use cubes instead of liquid.
It will he much less maintenance since there won't be shrimp everywhere.

My thing has hit 0.8c. So with better mounting, proper thermal paste I think I can easily hit -1c
Anyway it also means the acual heatsink is below 0 since the thermometer is a bit outside the heatsink.

There is also a bit of ice on it.

 

[randomfishdude]

I think I will go with cube dispense. So I dont haft to go through all the Cleaning problems.
And then you can use some sort of thing to let the cube melt. So all the fish don't go after the cube. Forgot what it's called.
A conveyor run by a single stepper motor seems more simple and low maintenance.
Also easier to do.

 

[randomfishdude]

I didn't do much this week.
I printed a bottom part for it. But the print cut out half way through and then came back. Also the sides were a bit too small. And door holder was too thin.
I used tape to fix it up and a meatal thing I had to hold the top up.

I didn't get it below freezing. I don't know why I get bleow freezing sometimes and others I don't.
Maybe hair gel isn't the best thermal compound. But I can't find my thermal paste and I don't understand what is all that diffrent.


I also just realized I haven't done an update since I reprinted and fixed the top part.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The reason that none of these have come to market is because there is no viable long term business model. This hobby is small. Subtract everyone that does not feed frozen. Subtract everyone that does not have the money or desire to buy. Subtract the people that want one, but never pull the trigger. So you sell a few hundred of these at first, even a few hundred a year. Let's say that they cost $100 to build and you sell then for $300. Subtract your insurance, electricity, marketing, lawyers, etc. Consider that people are going to be ONE and then never buy from you again, but you have to support every one of those people as long as they own the device. There is no money to be made, must money to be lost. So you sell 1000 of these and the net was $200 each over a 5 year period. $200,000 is not enough money to pay for everything, let alone your own salary.

That is why these are high end DIY projects and not available at BRS or wherever.