Digi Manual
Digidoor Garage Door Motor Manual
The complete Digidoor garage door motor manual — Digi 1, Digi 2, Digi 6, Digi 6S, Digi 7 and Digi 10. Limit setting, remote programming, error codes, load-shedding faults and maintenance. Sandton specialists since 2008. Call 061 402 6299.
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Official PDFs
Digidoor Garage Door Motor Manual
This is the complete plain-English owner's manual for the full Digidoor garage door motor range — Digi 1, Digi 2, Digi 6, Digi 6S, Digi 7 and Digi 10. It covers how each model works, how to set limits, how to programme and erase remotes, what every fault and display code means, how to operate your door during load shedding, and how to diagnose every common fault before deciding whether to call a technician.
Digidoor Digi 2 Installation Manual
Full mechanical and electrical installation, limit setup, wiring diagram and commissioning guide.
Digidoor Digi 7 Installation Manual
Full mechanical and electrical installation, limit setup, wiring diagram and commissioning guide.
Digidoor Digi 6 Installation Manual
Full mechanical and electrical installation, limit setup, wiring diagram and commissioning guide.
Digidoor Digi 1 Installation Manual
Full mechanical and electrical installation, limit setup, wiring diagram and commissioning guide.
Paskwa Gate Repairs
Sandton's most trusted Digidoor Garage Door Motor specialists. Same-day service across Johannesburg.
- info@paskwagaterepairs.co.za
- 7 Poplar Avenue, Broadacres, Sandton, 2021
- Mon–Fri: 07:00–18:00 | Sat - Sun: 07:00–14:00
Overview
About Digidoor Garage Door Motors
Digidoor garage door motors are manufactured by Digi Automation and distributed in South Africa under the Hydro Doors brand. The Digidoor range is one of the most widely installed garage door motor ranges in Gauteng and is particularly dominant across Sandton and the surrounding northern suburbs, where large volumes of units were installed during the residential building boom of the 1990s and 2000s.
Digidoor motors are available in chain-drive and belt-drive variants across the range, with battery backup available as a standard feature on the Digi 6S and Digi 7, and as an external retrofit module on the Digi 2. The range covers everything from a basic single-door motor to a near-commercial-grade heavy-duty operator.
Know your motor
Digidoor Models — and What Fails on Each
Four models cover everything from a single sectional door to heavy double panels. The fault profile differs by model — here's what to expect.
Digi 1 — Entry Single-Door Motor
The Digi 1 is a basic chain-drive motor built for a single light sectional door. It is very common in older Sandton and Fourways townhouse complexes. It has no battery-backup option and a simple control board with limited diagnostics.
What fails: The capacitor is the most common single fault — when it begins to fail the motor hums or struggles on start-up and then trips out. The drive chain stretches over time and eventually slips off the sprocket. The remote receiver degrades gradually, which looks like a remote problem but is actually a board fault.
Digi 6 / 6S — Heavy and Double Doors
The Digi 6 is a mid-range motor rated at 600N of pull force and up to 180 kg on a balanced door. It is the correct motor for a standard double sectional door or any single door on the heavier side. The Digi 6S is the same unit with an integrated battery backup as standard.
What fails: In older units (8 years and above), the plastic gear on the drive assembly wears and eventually strips — the motor runs but the chain jerks or the door moves slowly and unevenly. The electronic limit switches drift after a power interruption, causing the door to stop short.
Digi 7 — Quiet Roll-Up Motor
The Digi 7 is designed for roll-up doors — the type that coils into a drum above the opening rather than folding in sections. It is a premium, low-noise unit increasingly specified in newer Sandton cluster developments.
What fails: The battery backup degrades after 3–4 years in South African heat conditions, which is faster than the manufacturer's rated lifespan. Board faults are less common than on the Digi 2, but when they occur, sourcing can take 3–5 days if the part needs to come from the supplier. The drum motor itself rarely fails — most Digi 7 problems are electrical rather than mechanical.
Digi 10 — Heavy-Duty Motor
The Digi 10 is the largest Digidoor motor, used for big double doors, very tall doors and light-commercial applications such as a workshop or showroom. It draws significantly more current than the smaller models, which places more stress on the electrical connections — the terminal block, the supply cable and the isolator switch are the first things to inspect when a Digi 10 starts behaving erratically.
What fails: The capacitor is the most common single fault. A failing capacitor shows as a slow, struggling start followed by the motor tripping out after a few seconds.
Display Codes
Digidoor Display Codes — Digi 6 and Digi 6S
The Digi 1 and Digi 2 have no digital display. Fault diagnosis on these models relies on observing the motor's behaviour. The Digi 6, Digi 6S and Digi 7 have a digital display that shows operational status and fault codes.
Normal Display States
Display off or blank: the motor is in standby with mains power present and all systems normal. This is the correct resting state on most Digi 6 firmware versions.
Display counting during operation: the motor is running and the display is showing the trolley carriage position along the rail. Normal during travel.
Display shows 0: the door has reached the closed limit. Normal.
Display shows a high number: the door has reached the open limit. Normal.
Fault and Programming Display States
C — remote memory erased:
appears briefly after holding the CODE button until C shows. Confirms all stored remote codes have been deleted. Normal confirmation state.
1 — open limit programming:
the motor is in limit-setting mode and ready to receive the open limit position. Entered by holding the SET button until 1 appears.
2 — closed limit programming:
during the limit routine, the motor has stored the open limit and is ready to receive the closed limit position.
3 — obstruction force adjustment:
entered by holding SET until 3 appears. Manual force adjustment mode — only needed if the automatic force setting from the limit routine is not correct for the specific door.
bA — battery not responding (Digi 6S and Digi 7):
the battery is completely flat, disconnected, or the charging circuit has failed. Requires battery replacement and a charging circuit test.
E — obstruction detected:
the door stopped and reversed during travel because the obstruction sensor triggered. If E appears with nothing visible in the path, the door is binding, the limits are incorrect, or the force setting is too sensitive.
The Digi Load-Shedding Weak Point
Load Shedding — Operating Your Digidoor During an Outage
This is the most common Digidoor fault call we receive across Sandton and Johannesburg. If your Digidoor garage door motor stopped working after load shedding, here is what is happening and what to do.
The Digi 2 control board is unusually vulnerable to the voltage spike that occurs when Eskom power is restored after an outage. The board survives the blackout without damage — it is the surge on the way back on that kills it. The tell-tale pattern is straightforward: the door was working perfectly, the power went out, and when it returned the motor was completely dead — no lights, no response to the remote, no response to the wall button. That is a control board fault, not a battery.
What to check before calling us:
- Check the wall console first. If the LED on the console is dark, power is not reaching the motor at all — check the isolator switch next to the motor and the breaker in your DB board before assuming the control board has blown.
- If the console LED is on but the motor does nothing, or makes a single click and then goes silent, the control board is almost certainly the fault.
- Do not repeatedly press the remote or wall button — it will not help and on some units can create additional issues.
With a Functional Battery (Digi 6S, Digi 7, Digi 2 with module)
The motor switches to battery power automatically when mains cuts. Operate the door normally with the remote or wall console. The motor will complete approximately 20–30 cycles on a healthy battery. No user action is required at any point during the outage.
When power is restored, the motor switches back to mains automatically and battery recharging begins. Run one test cycle after power restoration to confirm the limits are intact — a power event mid-cycle can occasionally cause limit drift on some firmware versions.
Without a Battery, or With a Depleted Battery
Use the emergency release to operate the door manually during an outage.
- Locate the red emergency-release cord or T-handle hanging from the trolley carriage inside the motor rail.
- Pull the cord firmly downward. You will hear or feel the carriage disengage from the chain or belt drive.
- The door is now free from the motor. Lift it from the centre using both hands — do not lift from one side, as this racks the door panels and can damage the hinges.
- To close, pull the door down from the centre until the bottom seal meets the floor evenly.
Re-Engaging the Drive After Manual Operation
Before using the remote after power is restored, re-engage the trolley carriage with the drive.
- Pull the emergency release cord again toward the motor head — this moves the carriage latch back toward the engagement position.
- Alternatively, run the door by hand toward the motor head until you feel the carriage click back into the chain or belt.
- Press the remote — the motor should take over and operate the door normally.
- Run one full open-close cycle and confirm the door stops cleanly at both limit positions. If the door stops in the wrong position, run the limit-setting procedure again.
The Three Ways Load Shedding Affects a Digidoor Motor
Board failure on power restoration. The voltage spike when Eskom switches back on is the dominant cause of Digidoor board failure across Sandton. The motor survives the outage — the surge on restoration kills the board. The Digi 2 board is particularly vulnerable. We fit a surge protector on every board replacement.
Battery depletion. At Stage 4 to 6, the battery never fully recharges between outages. It degrades progressively. Rapid beeping on the Digi 2 or Lo on the Digi 6S display confirms this. Battery replacement resolves it.
Limit drift. A power interruption mid-cycle can cause the Digi 6 to lose its stored electronic limit positions. The motor then stops in the wrong place or reverses unexpectedly. A limit relearn resolves this without any parts replacement — it is one of the cheapest Digidoor repairs we carry out.
DIY guide
How to Set the Limits on a Digidoor
Lost or incorrect limits are behind a large number of "won't close properly" Digidoor repair calls. Understanding the process helps you tell whether the door needs a limit reset or a genuine repair
- Digi 6 — Electronic Limit Setting
- Digi 2 — Mechanical Limit Adjustment
- Digi 1 — Mechanical Limit Adjustment
Digi 6 Garage Door Motor — Electronic Limit Setting
If the door closes most of the way, stops and then re-opens, the obstruction-sensing function is triggering. This is almost always because the door is binding or unbalanced — not because the motor is faulty. Servicing the door and resetting the limits fixes it. Replacing the motor does not
- Check that the door is balanced and moves freely by hand before you start. The operator learns the door's resistance during programming, so a stiff door will teach it incorrect settings.
- Press and hold the SET button until 1 appears on the display, then release. The operator is now in limit-programming mode.
- Drive the door to the desired open position and confirm, then to the closed position and confirm.
- The obstruction force is set automatically during this routine on the Digi 6 — no separate adjustment is normally needed. If you need to adjust it manually, hold SET until 3 appears.
- Run a full open and close cycle to confirm the door stops cleanly at both ends.
Programming & Erasing Digidoor Remotes
Digidoor uses 433.92 MHz rolling-code remotes. The Digi 6 stores approximately 20 codes.
Add a New Remote (Digi 6)
- Activate the code-learning mode using the CODE or learn button on the control board.
- Press the button on the new remote. The operator confirms it has stored the code.
- Repeat for any additional remotes, then exit learning mode.
Erase All Remotes
Digi 6: Press and hold the CODE button until C shows on the display. All stored remotes are deleted. Re-add only the remotes you currently have.
Older Digi II / III: With the wall-console light off, press and hold the light toggle button. The light comes on, switches off after approximately five seconds, then flashes to confirm the memory is cleared.
When a New Remote Won't Pair
If you have followed the pairing steps and the new remote still does not work, the most common reasons are:
Memory full. The Digi 6 stores around 20 codes. If the memory is at capacity, new remotes are rejected without any error indication. Erase all remotes and re-add only the ones you need.
Wrong remote type. Cheap universal remotes sometimes claim Digidoor compatibility but use an incompatible frequency or code protocol. A genuine Digidoor remote is the only reliable option.
Faulty receiver circuit. If a genuine remote will not pair even after clearing the memory, the receiver on the control board needs replacing, not the remote.
Just moved in? Erase all remotes immediately so a previous owner's remote cannot open your garage. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.
Digi 2 Garage Door Motor — Mechanical Limit Adjustment
The Digi 2 uses physical limit adjusters rather than the electronic procedure of the Digi 6. Two thumbscrews are accessible through the front cover of the motor housing. Turn the open-limit screw clockwise to reduce open travel, anti-clockwise to extend it. The close-limit screw works the same way in the opposite direction. Make small adjustments — a quarter-turn at a time — and test between each one. If the door reverses before fully closing, extend the close limit slightly, then check that the door itself is not binding before adjusting further.
Close limit adjustment: turn the close-limit thumbscrew clockwise to reduce closing travel (door stops higher), anti-clockwise to extend it (door travels further down). Make quarter-turn adjustments and test between each.
Open limit adjustment: turn the open-limit thumbscrew clockwise to reduce opening travel (door stops lower), anti-clockwise to extend it (door travels further up). Quarter-turn increments and test between each.
If the door closes most of the way and reverses: extend the close limit slightly, then check the door is not binding near the fully closed position before adjusting further.
If the door stops short of fully open: extend the open limit slightly. Check there is no physical obstruction — the motor head, ceiling, or wall — before the limit is reached.
Check door balance first. A Digi 2 on an unbalanced door will produce limit settings that are inconsistent between warm and cold conditions, because the door's weight and the spring tension both change with temperature. Balance the door first, then set the limits.
Digi 1 — Mechanical Limit Adjustment
The Digi 1 uses mechanical limit tabs — small plastic sliders on a threaded rod inside the motor housing — rather than electronic limits. Slide the open-limit tab along the rod to adjust the open stop position, and the close-limit tab to adjust the closed position. The door must be at the relevant position when you make the adjustment. After any change, run a full open-close cycle and check where the door stops. There is no display — you set by observation.
Open limit: slide the open-limit tab along the rod to set where the door stops when opening. The door must be at the desired open position when you make the adjustment.
Close limit: slide the close-limit tab along the rod to set where the door stops when closing. The door must be at the desired closed position when you adjust.
After any adjustment, run a full open-close cycle and observe both stop positions. Repeat in small increments until both ends stop correctly. There is no display — you set by observation and feel.
Common Faults
Common Remote Faults — All Digidoor Models
When a Digidoor garage door motor stops working, the cause is often easier to diagnose than most homeowners expect. Having serviced hundreds of Digidoor systems across Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways, Rivonia, Midrand, and Johannesburg, we’ve identified a handful of faults that occur time and again. Below, we break down the most common issues, typical repair costs, and what you can expect when you call us.
Motor Completely Dead After Load Shedding
One of the most frequent call-outs we receive involves Digidoor motors that become entirely unresponsive following load shedding. In many cases, the control board suffers surge damage when power is restored.
Motor Runs, But the Door Doesn’t Move
If you hear the motor running but the garage door stays put, the problem is usually mechanical, not electrical. Worn trolley carriages, stripped drive mechanisms, or snapped drive belts are the most common culprits.
Door Moves Slowly or Stops Mid-Cycle
On older Digi 1 and Digi 10 motors, a failing capacitor is often to blame. As the capacitor weakens, the motor loses the power it needs to start and operate efficiently, resulting in sluggish movement or incomplete travel cycles.
Door Closes Halfway Then Reopens
When a garage door reverses direction unexpectedly, the motor is detecting resistance somewhere in the system. Common causes include worn rollers, damaged tracks, poor door balance, incorrect force settings, or lost travel limits after a power interruption.
Door Stops Short of Fully Open
A door that halts before reaching the fully open position can look like a major motor failure, but it’s often a simple fix. The issue is usually incorrect limit settings or a mechanical obstruction. Once properly adjusted and tested, normal operation resumes.
Continuous or Rapid Beeping
Persistent beeping—especially after extended load shedding—almost always indicates that the backup battery has reached the end of its life and can no longer hold a charge. Replacing the battery restores reliable operation during power outages
Repair or replace section
Repair or Replace Your Digidoor?
The age of the unit and the nature of the fault are the two factors that matter. Here's how to read it:
Under 8 years — repair
A control board replacement, belt or battery brings it back to full health for a fraction of the replacement cost. Digi 1, 2 and 6 parts are well-stocked and repairs are almost always same-day
8–12 years — repair a single fault
If the board and the drive are both worn at the same time, weigh the combined repair cost against a new unit. A Digi 6 supply and fit is R3,000–R4,200, so if two separate repairs total more than R2,500 on a 10-year-old unit, replacement is usually the better call.
Over 12 years, or the motor itself is failing — replace
It is also a sensible moment to move from a basic belt unit to a quieter model with built-in battery backup, so load shedding stops being a problem altogether.
Digidoor Garage Door Motor Maintenance
Digidoor Garage Door Motor Maintenance Guide
Regular maintenance is the most effective way to extend the lifespan of your Digidoor garage door motor and avoid unexpected breakdowns. Many of the emergency call-outs we attend in Sandton and Johannesburg could have been prevented through routine servicing and inspections.
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061 402 6299
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Listen for Unusual Noises
Digidoor Garage Door Maintenance
Load Shedding and Digidoor Motor Care
Load shedding remains one of the leading causes of garage door motor failures in Johannesburg and Sandton.
To protect your Digidoor system:
- Test battery backup performance regularly
- Replace ageing batteries every 2–3 years
Customer Reviews
What Our Customers Say About Our Digidoor Garage Door Repairs
Our Digidoor motor stopped working just before leaving for work. Paskwa diagnosed the problem over the phone and had a technician at our Bryanston property the same day. The motor was repaired within an hour and has worked perfectly ever since."
— Homeowner, Bryanston
After being quoted for a complete motor replacement by another company, Paskwa inspected the system and found it only needed a new battery and service. Their honesty saved us thousands of rand."
— Property Owner, Sandton
Following a power surge, our Digidoor garage door would not open. The technician arrived promptly, replaced the damaged components, and explained how to better protect the system in future. Highly recommended."
— Resident, Morningside
Digidoor Garage Door FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions — Digidoor Garage Door Motors
How do I set the limits on a Digidoor Digi 6?
Hold the SET button until 1 shows on the display, then release — the operator is now in limit-programming mode. Drive the door to the open position and confirm, then to the closed position and confirm. The obstruction force is set automatically. If the door later stops and re-opens, the limits need resetting — check the door is not binding first.
How do I erase all remotes from a Digidoor?
On the Digi 6, hold the CODE button until C shows on the display — all stored remotes are deleted. On older Digi II/III units, hold the wall-console light toggle button until the light flashes to confirm the memory is cleared.
My Digidoor is dead after load shedding — what's wrong?
Almost certainly the control board, especially on the Digi 2. Check your isolator switch and DB breaker first. If those are fine and the motor is completely unresponsive, the board has been damaged by the return surge. We stock boards on the vehicle and fit a surge protector on every replacement.
Why does my Digidoor stop and re-open instead of closing?
The obstruction-sensing function is triggering. Clear any obstruction first. If there is none, the door is binding or unbalanced, and the limits need resetting. A door that has gone heavy makes the motor read normal travel as an obstacle — the motor is not faulty.
My Digidoor motor runs but the door doesn't move — why?
The drive belt or chain has snapped, or the trolley carriage has worn through. The motor turns but nothing drives the door. Do not force the door by hand against the drive mechanism. We replace the belt or carriage and re-tension, usually same-day.
What does it mean when the Digidoor display shows E?
On the Digi 6, a flashing E means an obstruction was detected during travel. Clear the path and try again. If E persists with no obstruction visible, the door is binding or the limits need resetting. A steady E indicates a board-level fault — switch off at the isolator for 30 seconds and if E returns, the board needs
My Digidoor beeps three times when I use the remote — what does that mean?
The motor received the signal but cannot run, almost always because the safety beam circuit is broken. Check that nothing is blocking the beam between the two sensors at the base of the door frame, and that both sensor LEDs are lit. A sensor knocked out of alignment, a spider web across the lens, or a wiring fault at the motor are the three most common causes.
Can I use my Digidoor during load shedding?
The Digi 6S and Digi 7 have battery backup built in. The Digi 2 can be fitted with an external battery-backup module, which provides approximately 15–25 cycles per charge. The Digi 1 has no backup option. To operate the door manually during an outage, pull the red emergency-release cord hanging from the trolley carriage — this disconnects the door from the drive so you can push it up by hand. Re-engage the drive before using the remote again.
What is the difference between the Digi 2 and the Digi II?
The Digi II (Roman numerals) is the earlier model predating the current naming convention. It has a slightly different board architecture and the remote erase procedure uses the wall-console light button rather than a button on the motor head. Most fault profiles and repair procedures are the same.
How much does a Digidoor repair cost?
Control board replacement R1,200–R2,200. Drive belt R700–R1,100. Backup battery R600–R1,300. Trolley carriage R550–R900. Capacitor R700–R950. Full supply and installation R3,000–R4,200. We provide an itemised quote before starting any work.
Which Digidoor model do I have?
Digi 1 — entry single-door chain drive. Digi 2 — belt drive, the most common in Sandton. Digi 6/6S — double and heavy doors. Digi 7 — quiet roll-up motor. Digi 10 — heavy-duty for large or commercial doors. The model is printed on the casing. If you cannot find it, send a photo on WhatsApp and we will identify it free.
Which Digidoor model is the most common in Sandton?
The Digi 2 by a significant margin, followed by the Digi 6. The Digi 2's belt drive made it the preferred specification for homes where the garage is below living space, and it was installed in large numbers across Sandton during the 1990s and 2000s. If you are unsure which model you have, the model number is on the label on the motor head. Send a photo on WhatsApp and we will identify it free.
What is the difference between the Digi 6 and the Digi 6S?
They are mechanically and electronically identical. The Digi 6S has an integrated 12V backup battery inside the motor head as standard. The standard Digi 6 has no internal battery. The Digi 6S also displays Lo and bA battery status codes. In a South African load-shedding context, the Digi 6S is the correct specification.
Is Digidoor the same as Centurion?
No. They are separate brands from different manufacturers. Digidoor is manufactured by Digi Automation and distributed by Hydro Doors. Centurion is manufactured by CentSys. The remotes, boards and parts are not interchangeable. We repair both brands across Sandton and all Johannesburg suburbs.
Have a different Question?
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Digidoor Giving You Trouble?
Digi 1, 2 and 6 boards, belts and batteries on the van — most Digidoor repairs done same-day across Sandton and Johannesburg, with a 6-month guarantee.
- 061 402 6299 — Call or WhatsApp
- info@paskwagaterepairs.co.za
- 7 Poplar Avenue, Broadacres, Sandton, 2021
- Mon–Fri: 07:00–18:00 | Sat: 07:00–14:00
- 24/7 Emergency Line available
Book a Free Quote
Where We Work
Digidoor Garage Door Repairs Across All of Sandton and Johannesburg
Same-day Digidoor Garage Door repairs across every suburb in Sandton, Johannesburg and wider Gauteng. Not listed? Call 061 402 6299 — we cover all suburbs.
- Alberton
- Douglasdale
- inanda
- Morningside
- Saxonwold
- Bedfordview
- East Rand
- Johannesburg
- Randburg
- Benoni
- Edenvale
- Kyalami
- Roodepoort
- Bryanston
- Fourways
- Melrose Arch
- Rosebank
- Centurion
- Hyde Park
- Midrand
- Sandton
Not listed? We cover all of Gauteng — call 061 402 6299 to confirm availability for your area.