Oh, I wish there were *more* indicator lights on my Geo....without having to hook up an entire WELserver, and without having to pry open the cover to look.
My unit: GeoMax 2 by Heat controller

Wishlist:
Maybe all these lights behind a small panel that could be removed without exposing the entire guts of the machine

LED indicating that DSH pump is operating
LEDs for heating and cooling stages (I have these LEDs, but they're buried in the guts)
LEDs for fan (again, in the guts, not easily accessibly/watchable)
LEDs for Heat/Cool mode (helps check if thermos wired/switching correctly)
LEDs for stage 1 and stage 2 AUX heat
LEDs indicating power to the loop circulation motors
Built-in thermometer sensors on the ground loop in/out, and DSH in/out, maybe an LED display that you can switch between readings?
LED indicating lockouts, or lockouts spelled out somehow on a display.

When the system doesn't appear to be working properly, I find myself ripping open the unit to look at the guts, jamming multimeters into wire nuts, and putting my hand on pumps to detect any vibration.  There's got to be a better way.

It should have a wifi or ethernet interface that reports all of that data to your PC.

Posted By jonr on 18 Aug 2010 10:50 PM
It should have a wifi or ethernet interface that reports all of that data to your PC.

- or to the thermostat.

I had to jump through hoops just to safely get a general error message to display upon system lockout on a Honeywell thermostat.  I know - different manufacturers are involved.  :-)

It's the sticky wicket guys, all wish for more features and lower prices.
Hard to get both.
Most manufacturers have mated thermostats that give many of the indications you desire, though most cost more than superior products that aren't matched to specific appliances.
J

You know what would be really cool....
LED extensions!
I guess this could be done with fiber optic cable, but imagine
a little sleeve that fits over an LED
inside the sleeve is a photodetector
the photodetector/sleeve is connected to another LED some distance away...1 foot, maybe

You could slip a whole bunch of these over existing LEDs on circuit boards and run them to the outside of a unit.

True, they'd need a power source...maybe watch batteries, or a master power center running on a couple AAs.

I need to invent this!

the led is the light source for fiber optic cable so what is there to invent?
You could rewire the led's to an exterior panel but then you just end up looking like a '60's sci-fi computer with all the flashing lights. Seemed cool back then but so was shag carpeting. A good computer interface would be nice. Or even if they all got together and built an obdII type interface and built a scanner to read the codes.

Stuart, given the installation issues, make sure you don't do anything to void your warranty. Maybe Heat Controller can help you on your installation issues somehow, especially if they recommended the installer you used. Have you tried contacting a "higher up" person at Heat Controller for help? I assume you won't get anywhere with standard customer service.

While Heatcontroller does offer factory training and software it is only recently that they began to limit sales to "trained" persons. Previously they were the brand of choice for guys who did occasional open loop installations.
These days the marketing scheme has changed to education of their dealers.
because of this:
You might have luck with the manufacturer, though your problems are not their fault.
Folks should not assume use of the Geo max brand indicates lack of training on their installers part these days.
j

I've emailed Heat Controller with no response at all. Next step is to contact Climatemaster, who makes the GeoMax unit, and see if I can get help from them.

I'm not going to physically attach anything to my system while I'm having issues. You're right, I don't want any one to be able to come back and say I caused the problem.

Re fiber-optics, I guess I need to invent little sleeves and indicators that use fiber optics and slip over LEDs...sort of an LED "extension cable".

The 70s were so cool, though! Except maybe the shag carpeting.

Posted By stuart.wyss on 19 Aug 2010 04:58 PM
I've emailed Heat Controller with no response at all.

Try calling them at 517-787-2100.  See if there is a regional rep you can speak to.  I just tried calling them to get a name for you, but their switchboard closed at 5:00pm ET.

If you have no kids around the house, another choice is to simply leave the bottom door loose so you can lift it at any time to observe the lights on the circuit board.
J

How about making a door of clear plexiglass? Sealed but still visible

Funny, I thought about suggesting a plexiglass window earlier, but was worried about the lack of sound insulation in that spot. Maybe with a little insulated door over the window. :-)