We've had this door since about 2012 or so. I've had to repair it a few times, mostly being that the plastic rails, where the door slides up and down, tend to get worn. When that happens, the door jams. I''m doing a repair right now as the door was sticking yet again. I did my maintenance on it a few days ago and things seemed to work fine. But then, the door would again get stuck in the up position. Also, the "outside" sensor is flaky now. The inside one is fine. When I took it apart today, I found that one of the rubber shock absorber had fallen out of its slot. I'll add a dab of silicone to keep it in place. I've been avoiding changing the microphones, but I think I just need to do that now. No reason to try to "fix" the old microphone (outside) since I have a new harness anyway. This door is such a life saver. Even with having to clean it on the inside a couple times a year, it's still worth it. Our little guy can go in and out when we're out and that takes stress off of us. Fortunately, we have high fencing all around the property (wooden) so other animals don't get it. (usually) Fun times.
Oh, one thing that I forget to mention, that the battery, after a time goes bad due to being constantly charged. At least on our door. There is a small charging adjustment potentiometer on the other side of the board. But to get to it, you have to remove the board and I have a feeling that getting the 2 little knobs that adjust sensitivity to fit in again, could be problematic. They just have little pins that must stick inside the tiny holes, perfectly on the board itself. Also, in today's repair, I've removed the spring that's on the auto lock rod (where the pull wire fits into and has a squared end that rubs on the plastic all the time. It's a safety feature so people don't pry the door up to get in, but I think this is part of why the door jams. So, going to try it without the friction.
I think this is the problem with my High Tech dog door is having after almost 4 years of owning it. I love the video but boy do I wish you could have shown the soldering part because I'm fairly new use it. What was the type and thickness of the solder you used?
You misheard something. No soldering. Contact hitech via email. They were really helpful. Most likely you'll just have to run the senor and wiring like me. Then just plugs in. Really wasn't that hard. They do offer a refurbishment program. You could send it to them and supposedly they change everything. Good luck.
We have a hi tech door that will open manually (when we push the button on the unit), but will not open when the dog goes up to the door. Website trouble shoot guidelines say replace collar, sensors, and main circuit board. I was wondering what symptoms you were experiencing with the door. I dont want to order parts that I dont need. We put a brand new battery in the fairly new collar (7 months old), and did nothing to resolve the issue. We bought and installed the door in august of 2020. Any help would be appreciated.
Installed about the same time also. The manual button worked. Collar worked from inside but not outside. The dog was trapped outside. Try the sensor replacement first. On a side note when I was searching for videos on repairing the door I saw one that mentioned that the cable that pulls the door open can fray and break. I did notice a little fraying when I did the repair. Well the cable (I'm guessing the cable) just broke. Expecting delivery of a replacement tomorrow. Plan on filming that repair as well. You might want to consider ordering it too in case yours looks frayed. Good luck.
@Adam Osman thanks for the info! We ordered a new collar (replaced under warranty). It works great now, but I know I will eventually have to replace sensors. When I do, I will probably go ahead and replace the cable and maybe the brains while I've got it all apart. Hopefully, I can get a couple more years out of it before that happens.
No, it has little snap together caps/plugs. The instruction paper that came with the repair kit mentioned the possible need to solder. I suspect, but don't really know, that maybe the early builds of the door used solder and then they changed to the little snap plugs later? Don't really know. Honestly it was really easy. Dorr is still working fine.
Do you own it? I've never gotten water in the house. Hurricanes, torrential downpours. Nor'easters. The door is exposed directly to the elements. No over hangs or protections. I'll add it's well insulated as well. No drafts. Closes solid and secure. My only concern, and this I don't really know the true answer, is can any collar open the door? I bought an extra collar and there was no process for "synching it" (my own made up term), to the door. It just worked. So in theory, could someone who knows about these doors, just buy a collar and open it up and then squeeze in to my home? Don't know? My dog door is installed on a rear door in a fenced in backyard door. I can't imagine your average thief is looking for these. lol. I have no hesitation recommending the door. My pitta mix must come in and out 30 times a day at least.
@@adamosman6417 yes I do! I had the problem with both of their doors, purchased a second one thinking first was defective. I was told that I should put a roof over the door. If your house has an overhang that is large, you are fine. If not, like me, you are screwed. I live in Florida and the door is facing East, get water in with rain. I even called a door/window installer to reinstall thinking I did it wrong. That’s when we found water coming from bottom of door. My overhang is slightly longer than a foot. So, now I have a hole in my house exposing it to rain. What pissed me off the most was the rep telling me that the doors are not waterproof. How can this company sell a product that people will put on the outside of a house and state it’s not waterproof. That is why I am going on every site I can find to make people aware. Nothing worse than having one of your biggest investments getting damaged because a company cannot be honest and advertise the door is not waterproof. Had I known that I never would have purchased the door. If it wasn’t for that leak, I would be very happy. So, ***BUYER BEWARE***
@unapologetically_me sorry to hear about your issues with the door. Just curious did you seal the door with caulk when you installed it? I did that. Put caulk between the door and the main housing, then also sealed the edging around the whole pet door on the outside. Or are you saying water is coming in from around the actual plexi door that goes up and down?
@@adamosman6417 Thank you! The water is coming from under the actual plexiglass door. Directions never stated it needs to be away from the elements and the company stated it’s not waterproof nor weatherproof. I’m more concerned about the water that is damaging my house. In order to fix the issue I have to remove the door, except now I have to reside my house. I just want to make people aware so they don’t go through what I am going through. You would think that if you buy this door and put a hole in your house there would be a warning about not being waterproof. Heather at the company was sickening to deal with too!
I've used these for 10 plus years, mine is exposed directly to rain....never a leak even once over here. Didn't even leak when snow was pulled up against the plexiglass.
