It is a smart WiFi retrofit for selected geyser controllers which enables remote control. It can be installed on selected existing systems and with new systems.

The Geyserwala Connect has been developed independently by Thingwala. It is designed for compatibility with selected third-party geyser controller systems.

Geyserwise refers to the name of the controller system for which compatibility information is provided. References to this name are made only for identification and compatibility purposes. Thingwala (Pty) Ltd is not affiliated with or endorsed by its owner.

Certainly. All you need is WiFi. This will allow you to control your geyser system, change modes, set timers, and boost the temperature from your phone, from anywhere. Any friend who is handy with a screwdriver can do the installation for you in a few minutes.

It is great for anyone who wants to know the water temperature and remote control their geyser. Even your parents, to stop from switching the geyser on and off from that scary distribution board.

You will need a compatible third-party geyser controller installed (for example, models such as Geyserwise Delta-T, Max, TSE1). These products are available through the manufacturer's distributor and installer networks. Decide whether you want a basic timer, a solar collector system, or a PV-based system to pair with your Geyserwala Connect.

The Geyserwala Connect has been tested for compatibility with selected third-party controllers, including the Geyserwise Delta-T, Dual, Max, TSE1 and the legacy TSE models (2 and 3 digit display).

Other Geyserwise systems marked with "Satchwell", "Franke", "TS" or "MWS" are not compatible.

The make and model name of your existing geyser system is typically written on the display panel.

Very. The Geyserwala Connect has endured many months of continuous testing without issue.

Additionally, we carried out internal behavioural and interoperability evaluations with the Geyserwala Connect. Our analysis confirmed that the behaviour and operation of the systems tested were unaffected by the installation of a Geyserwala Connect.

If you experience an issue, please see Product Support for assistance. If a product is found to be defective within six months of delivery, we will do what we can to resolve your issue.

Please refer to your product manual for further details.

The Geyserwala Connect should be considered to be an aftermarket retrofit. Installing a third-party aftermarket retrofit may affect the original manufacturer's warranty; please consult their warranty terms.

We're very proud of the Geyserwala Connect so we'd love to toot our horn about our product. But that would not be fair to you as a discerning customer.

We believe that there are many reasons that you would prefer the Geyserwala Connect. It is not just a WiFi retrofit, it is very much more. From the ease of use, improved control and visibility, to the interactive display, and the open integration principles of the design.

There is a lot of detail about the benefits of the Geyserwala Connect on our website. You can experience the app here. Additionally you can look up more info on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Here is what customers are saying to us. And of course feel free to do your internet research.

The Geyserwala Connect app is built using Progressive Web App (PWA) technology. This means you can use it on any internet-connected phone, tablet, or laptop while enjoying a native-like experience.

The app is installed directly from our console, there is no need to download it from an app store. It is always up to date, uses minimal space on your device, and is easy to share with others. And it can be installed just the same as any other app. From the console, you can generate multiple apps and choose which devices appear in each app.

Try the app now with this demo.

When you switch on Boost, the water will heat until it reaches the Setpoint temperature (or for a maximum of 2 hours) and then it will switch off. Boost will only work in Timer, Solar or Standby mode and when the Setpoint is higher than the tank temperature.

Yes. The default range is 30 to 65 °C. In the settings you can change the maximum to be anywhere from 30 to 75 °C.

However please take care, 75°C water can scald human skin, and also be sure it is within the specifications of your plumbing.

Yes. If your geyser system has a solar component (either the solar collector or the photo-voltaic panel) whenever there is sufficient energy available from the sun the water will be heated.

When in Timer mode the water will additionally be heated by the element to the desired temperature.

During installation your Geyserwala Connect has been configured such that there is no solar heating component. If you do have solar then see the manual for Model Selection.

During installation your Geyserwala Connect has been configured such that there is no solar collector. If you do have a solar collector with a pump, then see the manual for Model Selection

Yes, both for temporary or permanent situations where you do not have WiFi it is possible to use the Geyserwala, for details see: Offline Mode.

It replaces the printed circuit board in the display panel of compatible geyser controller systems.

Installation only takes a few minutes and does not require a plumber or an electrician. You only need a star screwdriver.

If the new system is compatible with your Geyserwala Connect, simply perform a Factory Reset and then follow the installation instructions.

Thingwala has specifically designed the Geyserwala Connect to support open integration standards and to work without vendor-hosted servers. This gives the user full control and ownership of the device, and the freedom to use it however they choose. For local access it provides a lightweight Progressive Web App that works seamlessly on any phone, tablet, or laptop. This app is optionally available via the Thingwala servers for free to make remote access convenient. However, the Geyserwala Connect can just as easily be controlled by any other open home automation platform.

Home automation platforms provided by Tuya/Sonoff/etc such as SmartLife/eWeLink/etc are intentionally closed to third-party devices. While this strengthens the vendor's market position, it restricts which devices you can use, how you can use them, and blocks cross-platform interoperability. Users often end up juggling multiple apps that cannot work together.

Thus Thingwala neither neither pursues nor is permitted to integrate with these closed ecosystems.

The settings of your original display panel can be read out according to the manufacturer's manual.

Geyserwise

On the Geyserwise controller it is basically a process of repeatedly pressing the SET button and recording the values you see.

The sequence of values you will see is as follows:

The Geyserwala Connect does not have temperature blocks, each timer can have its own temperature. Timers are conveniently set on the Timers Page or via the System Screen. If your geyser controller model has them, the DC Max Temp, LDR Reading, Differential, and Antifreeze settings they can be adjusted on the Settings Page or the System Screen. There is no need to set the time on the Geyserwala Connect, it gets its time from the internet and is always correct.

To control multiple devices from one app:

1. Link each device individually to your Thingwala Console account.
2. In the Console, create or edit an app, and choose which devices to include.
3. When the app loads, tap the title bar to switch between devices.

When you first open the app link you got from the Thingwala Console you should see a menu option to "Install App", this will add an app icon to your phone.

If the menu option does not show try opening the link directly with your web browser, rather than for example via a messenger app. Then look for the "Add to Home Screen" or "Install App" option on your web browser, the location varies so you may need to look up "How to install a Progressive Web App on my phone".

Install each device following the usual setup instructions. Once you have linked the device and it is showing in the Devices list on the Thingwala Console. Then edit an existing app and add the device, or create a new app and add the new the device.

To switch between multiple devices on the app just tap the title bar.

During installation it is possible to encounter a status message of "Network down", "WiFi not available" or "WiFi disconnected", with a blinking WiFi icon. This means that the Geyserwala Connect is unable to make a WiFi connection with the given credentials and location. The WiFi setup is covered in the installation video and the manual.

In the majority of cases this issue usually arises because the WiFi name and/or password was not entered exactly as they are. Go back into Config Mode and carefully re-enter your WiFi name and password, with the correct uppercase, lowercase, spaces and special characters.

Actually retype both of them; "Rob's WiFi" is not "Robs WiFi", and also not "Rob's Wifi". If your WiFi name ends with something like "[2GHz]" then you must include those characters too. Tap the eye icon to verify that your password has been typed in as you expect.

• "WiFi not available": usually indicates that the Geyserwala Connect cannot see a WiFi network of that name, in the 2.4GHz band. Also make sure that there is not a space character at the end.
• "WiFi disconnected": usually indicates that the password was not accepted.
• "Network down": indicates a broader set of issues that the Geyserwala Connect is unable to connect, including that the WiFi access point may be prohibiting the connection in some way.

If you have entered the credentials correctly the WiFi will quickly connect when the POWER button is pressed.

The Geyserwala Connect performs well even with a weak WiFi signal, however typically if your phone cannot connect to the WiFi at that location, then you will need to make alternative arrangements to provide your Geyserwala Connect with a stronger WiFi signal.

Also, as is the case for most IoT devices, the Geyserwala Connect can only use 2.4GHz WiFi networks. There is no need to make any adjustments to any 5GHz networks you may have, but you will need a 2.4GHz network.

This issue is almost always caused by mistyped credentials, so please double-check carefully. And if you still cannot resolve this issue please see Product Support for assistance.

Linking your Geyserwala Connect to the Thingwala cloud servers is straightforward:

• Obtain a Cloud Token from the Thingwala Console.
• Enter the token into the Geyserwala you want to link.
• The Geyserwala uses this token to contact the Thingwala cloud servers.
• Once verified, it becomes one of your registered devices.

Ensure you enter the full token, which looks like: 0ef91304-a6ec-4778-b0d1-dca63fa7afc4 (37 characters).

When you set the Cloud Token field, the Geyserwala will attempt to link with the cloud servers. This usually takes about a minute but can occasionally fail:

• If the token is invalid, the field will be cleared automatically.
• If the token is valid but linking fails, the field will remain set but the status will show Unlinked.
• In this case, the Geyserwala waits 3 to 5 minutes before retrying.

If linking has not succeeded after 30 minutes, there may be a network issue preventing the device from reaching the internet. Check whether any network restrictions are in place.

As a workaround, you can temporarily connect the Geyserwala to the internet via a mobile phone WiFi hotspot. Restart the Geyserwala (via the SYSTEM screen on the display or the System page in the Local app) to trigger an immediate retry. Once linked, the device will restart and show Linked below the Cloud Token field. You can then reconnect it to your home WiFi.

Once linked, the Geyserwala will display Cloud link down whenever the cloud connection is not established. Normally, the link should reconnect quickly. If the connection works via a mobile phone WiFi hotspot but not on your home WiFi, this strongly suggests a network issue is preventing the device from reaching the internet.

During normal operation, occasional brief drops in the cloud link can occur due to internet variability. These should be infrequent and short-lived. When this happens, the Geyserwala will show Cloud link down and the Web App will display Device Offline.

The Local app, which is the link you got directly from the Geyserwala Connect display, by pressing the DOWN button for 3 seconds, is only available from your home network. The URL looks like http:// and then numbers and dots. The way the internet works it is not possible to access your Geyserwala Connect using the Local app from other locations unless you have specifically set up a Virtual Private Network or similar system to access your home network when you are somewhere else.

Using the Web app the Geyserwala Connect can be controlled from anywhere. Web App Setup in the installation guide provides the details of how to do this. The URL for your Web App will look like https://app.thingwala.com/geyserwala/ followed by lots of numbers and letters.

Why don't you just do it like a "normal" smart device app? you may ask. We have built the Geyserwala Connect so that it can be installed in a Cloud-Free setup, where all communication stays inside the home network and the operation and lifetime of the device is not dependent on the manufacturer.

Although the Geyserwala Connect uses less power than the original PCB, the addition of WiFi introduces a brief power surge during startup, which can cause issues in some installations.

This typically affects older geyser controller systems where the power supply is weaker, the display cable is too long, or the connectors have corroded over time.

To resolve this, check that all connectors between the Geyserwala Connect and the control box are clean and make solid contact. Unplug and replug each connector, and preferably use electrical contact cleaner. Ensure the display cable length does not exceed the manufacturer's recommendation. If possible, shorten the cable or relocate the display closer to the control box.

If the issue persists or you're unable to inspect the cable, please see Product Support for assistance. Let us know what you've tried, which geyser system and model you have, how old it is, and anything else about your installation that may be different.

During installation the correct Model must be selected to ensure compatibility, see Model Selection in the manual.

If you are seeing this error at other times, refer to the manufacturer's manual for further troubleshooting.

During installation after you have setup the WiFi, if the status message persistently says "Time service down". Then there is some sort of network misconfiguration that is preventing the Geyserwala Connect from connecting out to the internet time servers.

This could be a misconfiguration of the Geyserwala Connect. It is best to use the default settings. Setting the static IP is disadvised, relying on DHCP is preferred.

Or it could be a misconfiguration of your network. Is the DNS resolving? Is the Geyserwala Connect connected to a network that has internet access? Will your firewall allow it to open connections?

If you wish to block the Geyserwala Connect from accessing the internet you will need to supply your own NTP server.