The second instruction for your 12 hour mechanical timer is to put the red on/timer switch to the timer position but there is nothing on the unit that says "timer" only red switch with two circles with a straight line into one and an angle line into the other. which is the timer?

When you put in a new battery, the hands advance to the hour and stop. It then waits to receive a radio signal and sets the time.
to do a manual set, insert the battery and hold down the M button until the correct time. Don't go past it or you will need to continue until it comes up again. There is no reverse.

The previous answers don't fit the HD-1688 Sheng Bang clock mechanism that I have.

Double check your slide switch.
For timer: set switch to TIMER
For thermostat: set switch to ON
If slide switch does not operate, then Autocirc may be defective

Laing (800) 554-6853
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Laing-E1-E3-E10-install-instructions.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Auto-circ-manual.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html

1) Household AC wiring will not affect the timer.
You can check your outlet using cheap circuit analyzer from home center.
The clock rotates one direction and the pins push small lever down which turns motor on-off.
When the OFF pins pass, the small lever snaps back and the motor turns ON.

I cannot immediately find operation manual for the E-1 model.
Typical ACT303 auto circ manual says following:

2) If timer controlled operation is desired, set timer and move slide switch to TIMER:
Manual says: tabs/pins are outward for ON times.
Another sentence says UPWARD, so I don't know which way the pins are set for sure.
So if you want timer ON for 2 hours, you would set 4 consecutive pins outward or upward.
ON for 6 hours, set 12 consecutive pins outward or upward.
If the timer turns ON in reverse of instructions, then set the pins that way.
Autocirc does not make the timer, they buy timer modules from clock-makers like Grasslin, Intermatic, etc.

3) To operate Autocir thermostatically without the timer, slide switch to ON position.
The clock dial will continue rotating

You posted under Paragon 1015 timer.
Open following link to identify timer and download manual.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Paragon-timers-and-manuals.html#1015

Timers are 24 hour, but some have 7-day capability:
Manual says: to set 7-day grasp large 24 hour dial and rotate either direction until correct day of the week appears below Day Set red dot and 12 noon on large 24 hour dial is below red pointer.
To set 24 hour, grasp large 24 hour dial and rotate either direction until correct time appears below red pointer.
Red pointer is stationary at 6:00 position.

Add a comment for more free help.
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Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

I called First Alert @ (800) 323-9005 and they faxed me the instructions for Model LS510 which is the same and got it working. They will mail it too but not email. Choose Fixed or Random mode. Choose how many hours it will stay on after dusk. Turn your lamp off and unplug the lamp. Plug lamp into timer. Put function in Fixed or Random position. Put hours on switch to number of hours you want it remain on after dusk. Plug timer into the wall outlet. Turn the lamp's switch on and Timer's LED light should be on and the lamp should be off. Turn the lamp's switch off then on again TWICE. The second time you turn the lamp's switch on the bulb in the lamp will flach on then off quickly. This indicates that the Timer is controlling the lamp's operation. Leave the lamp switch in the ON position. The timer is now set for automatic. I hope this helps.

Leviton 6651 Manual.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Leviton-6651-manual.pdf
Timer requires a battery which should be replaced each 12 to 18 months.
Timer replaces single-pole or 3-way switch, and does not need a separate neutral wire.
Timer is for incandescent lights only.
500 Watt capacity
Push the door for manual override to reverse program that is in effect.

The 14 hour timing period is represented by 24 dip switches.
Each dip switch is positioned for ON or OFF.

Click the dip switch right or left
Start at the bottom
For example: ON for 3 hours, OFF for 4 hours, ON again for 3 hours:
Click dip switches 1 thru 3 to ON position, 4 thru 7 to OFF position, 8 thru 10 to ON position
ON position is to the right.
OFF position is to the left.

At the end of the 14 hour program, the timer turns lights OFF until the original start time is reached after 24 hours.
Timer will operate like this while in AUTO mode, until function switch is moved from AUTO to MAN or OFF modes.
Function switch is located at very bottom of timer door.
To activate program (on first day), function switch is set to OFF position for 2 seconds, and then move function switch to AUTO mode, and programming cycle begins.

I answer questions for free.
I specialize in timers and electrical devices

Below is the manual for the EJ351
http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/files/intermatic/products/instructions/timers/ej351c%20-%20english.ashx
The red light is a good indicator of the EJ351 timer.
The manuals says that you can clear all programming by moving control lever to OFF-CLEAR position for 20 seconds.
After programs are cleared, the red light will turn off.
Then move control lever to ON position, and then red indicator light will start flashing.
So the problem may be that the timer programs were accidentally cleared.
Use the instruction manual to re-program your timer.
Add a comment if you need more assistance, and I will help.

The crown has 3 positions.

Normal screwed down.
First pull out position.
Second pull out position.

Setting the Time:
Pull out the crown to position 3.
Rotate the crown to set the exact time.
Ensure that you are in the daytime12 hour segment by allowing the hands to pass 12 o'clock and notice if the date moved on or not.
If the date changed, then you will need to advance at least 2 hours before moving on to set the date.
If you do not need to change the date, return the crown to position 1.


Setting the Date:
DO NOT DO THIS IF THE WATCH IS BETWEEN 8pm & 2am
Pull crown to position 2.
Rotate the crown clockwise to set to the correct date.
Return the crown to position 1.


Setting the Alarm [12 hour]
Pull the crown to position 2.
Rotate the crown anti clockwise to move the alarm hand to the desired time.
Return the crown to position 1.
To activate the alarm, press the 8 o'clock button. You will hear 2 beeps.
To deactivate the alarm, press the 8 o'clock button. You will hear 1 beep.
NB If the alarm is not cancelled while it sounds the first time, it will repeat again in 2 minutes time. The alarm sound last for 15 seconds. If the alarm time coincides with 1 beep of the countdown, the alarm function will be cancelled.


Battery EOL [End Of Life]
The Swiss ISA 8270 movement uses a 395 cell and will signify a low power state by advancing the small seconds hand 4 steps every 4 seconds.


Setting the Countdown
You can specify a countdown of between 1 and 10 minutes.
Press the 4 o'clock button to enter setting mode. You will hear 1 beep.
Press the 4 o'clock button to move the central timing hand successively to the desired countdown time.
Wait 3 seconds for the watch to automatically exit the setting mode.
You can change the duration of the countdown [except in the last minute] at any time.
e.g. If the countdown is set to 10minutes, and you now want to change the countdown to 9 minutes, press the 4 o'clock button. The hours/seconds counter sub-dial will perform one complete turn and then stop at 60, before continuing.


Activating the Countdown:
Press the 2 o'clock button to start the countdown. You will hear 2 beeps.
The hours/seconds counter sub-dial will perform one complete turn and then stop at 60, before continuing.
When the countdown begins, the hour/seconds counter sub-dial indicates the seconds with 1 step every 2 seconds, and the central timing hand indicates the minutes with 1 step being 2.4 seconds.


Countdown tone:
There are 2 beeps every minute.
in the last minute:
50 seconds=1 beep.
40 seconds=1 beep.
30 seconds=2 beeps.
20 seconds=2 beeps.
10 seconds and less=1 beep every second with zero being 1 second long beep. Timer function automatically starts.


Timer:
After countdown has finished the timer starts automatically.
The central timing hand indicates the minutes with 1 step every 12 seconds. The hour/minutes counter sub-dial indicates the hours up to a maximum of 96.
Press the 4 o'clock button to see the timer seconds [display lasts up to a minute].
Press the 4 o'clock button to see the timer hours.
The timer has a maximum time of 96 hours [4 days] after which the hour/seconds sub-dial counter will stay at 0 and the central timing hand will stay at 12.


Start/Stop Timer:
Press the 2 o'clock button to stop the timer. You will hear 1 beep.
Press the 2 o'clock button to resume the timer. You will hear 2 beeps.


Setting the Countdown & Timer:
Countdown reset:
Press the 2 o'clock button to stop the countdown. You will hear 1 beep.
Press the 4 o'clock button to reset.


Setting the Timer:
Press the 2 o'clock button to stop the timer. The hour/seconds counter sub-dial will show the elapsed hours and the central timing hand the elapsed minutes.
Press the 4 o'clock button to view the seconds elapsed on the hour/seconds counter sub-dial.
Press the 4 o'clock button to reset.


Resetting the Hands:
If the hands do not zero correctly, which might occur after a battery change or a violent shock, you can make adjustments by doing the following settings as long as the countdown is not in operation.
To correct the hour/seconds counter sub-dial, pull the crown out to position 2 and wait 1 second.
Press either the 2 or 4 o'clock button; the central timing hand will turn and stop [not necessarily at 12].
Press the 2 o'clock button to increment the hours/seconds counter sub-dial hand to position it at 60.
To correct the central timing hand, press the 4 o'clock button to increment the hand to the 12 position.
Return the crown to position 1.



If the battery had been replaced, the central timing hand defaults to the 10 minute position. If the battery had not been replaced, the central timing hand will return to the previously set position.

1) Use this procedure to automatically program, letting switch timer "record" ON/OFF activities over 24-hour period.
-Move control lever to OFF-CLEAR for about
20 seconds. Red indicator light goes off and previous
time settings are cleared.
-Move control lever to ON position. Red indicator
light starts flashing.
-At 6:30pm, manually press dial 'on' >>> then at 1:00am manually press dial 'off'
-At the end of 24-hour period, switch timer is programmed and Red indicator light will stay ON, indicating
switch timer is in AUTOMATIC mode.
2) Or you can manually program times using instructions from page 1 of manual:
http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/files/intermatic/products/instructions/timers/ej351c%20-%20english.ashx

Manual: http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/files/intermatic/products/instructions/timers/ej351c%20-%20english.ashx

The manual says:
"To automatically program, letting the switch
timer "record" your ON/OFF activities over a 24-hour period,
storing them as programmed settings:

Move the control lever to the OFF-CLEAR position for about
20 seconds. The red indicator light will go off and any previous
time settings will be cleared from memory.
Move the control lever to the ON position. The Red indicator
light will start flashing.
Press the dial as an ON/OFF switch to turn lights ON and OFF
at the ON and OFF times you desire for the first 24 hours.
At the end of the 24-hour period, the switch timer will be programmed
and the Red indicator light will stay ON, indicating
that the switch timer is in AUTOMATIC mode."

So, this timer came with no instructions. What do you want for $3.99. Made cheap in China and instructions cost more than the timer.

The timer has a dial with tabs all around the 24 hour clock. They are in the down position which is on. You must pull all the tabs up in the times you want the timer off. This is different from all the other timers I have that used that have two removable tabs that are placed at the start and end times.

Put the switch on the side of the timer in the timer position.