For GE- 15117, Mode acts as a controller called "an On or Off override..." "or sets events to Automatic or random" Random = a +/- program shift (that's understandable). You'd think Automatic must be saying that ON and OFF are overrides of the PROGRAM, and herefore AUTOMATIC must mean (in chineese american) program is not overridden by ON or OFF - so Automatic http://fixya.net/images/BrowseProject/new-answer-20secs.gifmust mean "program is running." Doesn't seem to be the case but I'll keep trying. Every time I select automatic (regardless of the time of day) the plugged in device lights. [email protected]

1) Copy following link to identify timer and download possible manual:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html#50006



2) How to set analog timers by experimenting with features:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-set-timers.html



3) 50001 timer is not random vacation timer like the 50003.
50000 series timers by Woods have 1 year limited warranty, and they are a new design released this year. However the analog timer design has been around for many years.


4) If timer is acting randomly, then
a) timer is defective,
b) the override switch is not fully positioned at 'timer on,'
c) segments are not lifted fully in position,


5) ... other more remote causes: outlet might not test 80% rated voltage?, outlet might have reversed polarity?


5) Try timer on different outlet with different light.


6) As the timer dial rotates, the segments push small lever, and the lever moves switch that turns lights on-off. I suppose if this lever was broken or switch was broken, then timer would act more randomly.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

I cannot repair defective timers, and there are complaints about this timer's MODE button.
Most people complain they can't get mode to set.
Avoid the MODE button after programming timer.
Reset the timer by pushing CLOCK PROG MODE buttons. Then re-program the timer per instructions, and then press CLOCK button to exit programming and timer is in Auto mode and ready to work.
No need to press MODE after programming timer.
Typically, this timer has limited 1 year warranty.

http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/GE-15117-Manual.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/GE-timers-and-manuals.html#15117
15117 is not heavy duty timer. Both outlets combined are rated 1000 watts incandescent and 1/4 HP. Check nameplate on your pump for HP rating.

For limited-lifetime-warranty timer, rated 1/3 HP, choose Intermatic HB800RCL 2-outlet timer.
Cost twice as much as GE 15117.
For 1HP outdoor pumps choose Intermatic P1121
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-timers-and-manuals.html

There are two timers that look very similar.
Woods 59201 programmable timer with settable on-off functions and switch with ON-AUTO
Woods 59202 random vacation timer that has preset on-off functions and switch with ON-OFF
http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html#59201

Random vacation timers are not programmable.
They have internal pins that are preset for random on-off functions so house appears occupied while you vacation.
Random timers do not have AUTO setting, instead they are either ON or OFF.

Technically, programmable timers are also either ON or OFF, but usually these timers use the word AUTO, so you know lamp will turn on AUTOmatically based on settings.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

No, you do not need to set all 7 timer events.
When event1 ON and event1 OFF are set, press CLOCK button to exit programming and save programs. Or press PROGRAM button and move to event2 ON and event2 OFF. Exit programming any time by pressing clock button.
http://www.intermatic.com/products/timers/consumer%20outdoor%20timers/digital%20timers/hb88rc.aspx

That being said, if events conflict with each other, timer will not operate.
For example event1 ON FR at 7pm and event1 OFF all-days at 11pm.
The days have to match for on-off times.

Another example event1 ON FR at 7pm and event1 OFF FR 11pm, but event2 ON all days 8pm event2 OFF all days 10pm. This overlap will cause timer to skip programs.

If timer is being used in random mode, timer programs cannot be closer than 1/2 hour apart.

When programming is done, press clock button to display current time.
Timer should be ready to go.
Manual is fuzzy at this point, and does not specifically say, but it appears that you only press MODE button when you want to set another mode beside auto.
I e-mailed Intermatic last week about this unclear spot because several folks are writing in about this timer not going into correct MODE after programs are set.
MODE must be set to automatic
Press MODE button once for manual override function
Press MODE again and RDM displays for random >> this is for lights turning on randomly when on vacation.
Press MODE button third time, and AUTO shows on display >> you want timer in AUTO for timer programs to operate.
Here's the trick ... after setting MODE to auto, press clock button to display current time

If timer will not enter AUTO, then timer is defective.
If Intermatic sends response that is pertinent to your question, I will post again on this thread.
Add a comment any time, and I will respond.

My auto function on my GE outdoor timer didn't work orginally. So, I programmed the "on" time to be 5 minutes from the current time (10:15 p.m.), and the "off" time to be the time I wanted (10:30 p.m.). Then I put it on automatic and waited for 10:15 p.m. to arrive. It turned on. Then, I set the "on" time to 5:30 p.m. and it works fine now. Apparently, it has to cycle through the "on" time in order to activate the auto function.

GE 15117 manual
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/GE-15117-Manual.pdf

You might try a new AA battery.
Some guy wrote in this week and said he bought 6 timers and all the batteries were bad except 1.

Some timers, like Woods TD1300, and others have the 12 hour or 24 hour option.
You press and hold Time button to choose 12 hour or 24 hour
But GE 15117 manual says nothing about this option.

GE 15117 timer is same timer as Woods 59403
Several folks have written in past couple weeks about the Woods 59403 timer skipping over functions.
The best I can guess is your timer is malfunctioning like the other people's timers.

Woods 59403 manual is identical to GE manual, and says nothing about 12 hour 24 hour option either
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Woods-59403.pdf

I test timers for programming and wiring difficulties.
Yesterday 3 timers arrived here, and 1 didn't work.
I took it apart and tested the electronics, and something went bad.
When these timers don't work, you get your money back or throw them away.

People are writing in with problems about HB88RC.
Problems seem to revolve around MODE button and setting automatic for timer to operate programming.

One guy said his timer skipped over automatic.
Another fellow today reported that timer programs would not work.

So maybe your timer has similar problem.
I'm going to e-mail Intermatic with recent information.
I need clarification on your exact question.
Intermatic generally e-mails back and is concerned with their products and customers.

That being said, let's look at your timer problem.
When you finish programming 1 and 2, press Clock button to exit programming and current time shows on display.
At this point, timer should function.

According to manual:
If you press MODE button once, timer will enter override, and lights will turn on.
Press MODE button again, RDM shows on screen and timer enters random mode and lights turn on-off randomly so it looks like folks are home.
Press MODE again and timer returns to Automatic and programs 1 and 2 should run.

Add a comment and let me know what is happening so I can report to Intermatic.
I will post results on this thread.

You posted under Woods outdoor 2-outlet timer 59403:
Add a comment if this is not your timer
http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html

Lets run through trouble spots others have with programmable timers:
Add a comment any time and I will help.

What we know for sure:
-Battery is working because display shows.
-Manual override works, so basic electricity is OK and light is OK

-Common programming problems:
-You set current time and it shows in display > if current time is not set or does not advance with passing time, then timer does not know when to turn on-and-off. Double check display for current day, hour, and minute.

-Each event has ON time and OFF time. So you set event1 ON and then set event1 OFF. For example some people set ON time and don't realize each ON needs corresponding OFF, or can't find how to set OFF. Trick is making sure timer display matches fig3 and fig4 shown in manual. Press PROG button until display shows 1ON for event1 ON and then press PROG button until display shows 1OFF for event1 OFF.
-To review programs and double-check, press PROG button repeatedly to scroll through programming. Check for ON and OFF days, and for overlapping on-off commands.
-Event1 ON and event1 OFF should be set for same day(s). For example event1 ON is set for Tuesday but event1 OFF is set for All-days (instead of Tuesday) will conflict and timer will not function.
-Conflicts in programming will cause problems. Conflict example: Event1 says ON 7pm OFF 9pm Tues, but event2 says opposite.
-Make schedule of on-off times before programming to avoid conflicts.

Setting Mode:
MODE is manual override button: press it to set Automatic, ON-OFF override, or Random
Press MODE button until RDN displays in upper left corner, and then press MODE one more time to enter AUTOMATIC >>> you want automatic for programming functions.

Circuit analyzer: If above items check out 100%, and timer still doesn't work, plug timer to indoor plug on another circuit (not on outdoor plug). This will check if outdoor plug has electrical problem interfering with electronics inside timer. Buy cheap plug-in circuit analyzer from Home Depot electric department and double-check circuits.

59403 manual:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Woods-59403.pdf

There are 6 programming buttons on face of 15117 timer.
Download pdf manual

Review of steps:
The AA battery is installed with correct polarity
Timer blinked 12:00
Set clock while holding down clock button

Press PROG to display EVENT1-on (there is a tiny 'on' that shows on display)
>day button selects day, weekday, weekend
>> hour minute buttons to set ON time for EVENT1

>Press PROG so display shows EVENT1-off (ther is a tiny off that shows on display)
>repeat steps above to set OFF time for EVENT1

>Press PROG until EVENT1-on shows in display
>repeat steps to set on-off times for EVENT2

> when finished programming, press CLOCK

> Last step, set mode
MODE is on-off override
MODE is also Automatic or Random

Solution ideas:
Press MODE until Automatic displays)
-Press MODE key to see if manual override works
-Look at digital face (or take photo of it) and compare with Figs shown in manual to see if there is a match

-Check breaker. Check light bulb. Remove timer and see if load works without it. Check that light switch is turned on if plug is controlled by light switch.

-Review programs: Push PROG key to review programs
-Other timers ignore conflicting schedules ... for example EVENT1 says ON at 7 and OFF at 8, but EVENT2 says opposite, or overlaps, then timer ignores programming

-Reset timer and repeat programming: Press CLOCK, MODE PROG to reset timer
-Make a chart of your EVENT1 on-off times, and EVENT2 on-off times, EVENT3-7 on-off times before programming to make sure there are no conflicts.

UTILITECH - Grounded in Quality

Digital 2-Outlet Timer (TE06WHBL)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instruction Manual & Warranty
Before using your timer please read the following instructions carefully.
FEATURES
- Up to 8 ON/OFF events per day/56 ON/OFF events per week
- Option to program individual days or 8 different weekday groups
- Minimum switching period one minute
- Summertime/wintertime change over
- Easy to read LCD display
- Random automatic ON/OFF security feature
- Countdown feature
- Manual override button
- Rechargeable battery back-up (if there is no LCD display, plug
timer into a wall receptacle, this will recharge the battery)
SETTING TIME
Press and hold CLOCK key, then press DAY key to select correct day,
HOUR key to select correct hour, and MIN key to select minutes. When
MIN key is released, time will be set with seconds starting from 0.
Either holding down or repeatedly pressing appropriate button can
advance days, hours and minutes.
Do not set ON and OFF for same time.
PROGRAMMING EVENTS
The timer has the capacity for 8 ON/OFF events per day.
Save program capacity by using available blocks of days.
Blocks of days are:
1. M,T,W,Th,F,S,Su
2. Individual days of the week
3. M,T,W,Th,F
4. S,Su
5. M,T,W,Th,F,S
6. M,W,F
7. T,Th,S
8. M,T,W
9. Th,F,S
For each ON time and each OFF time--DAY, HOURS and MIN must
be set. Press PROG key onceto set first ON time--"ON" and number
"1" appear to left of LCD display indicating to enter first ON time.
Press DAY button to choose required day or blocks of days, then set
hour and minutes using HOURS and MIN buttons. After setting required
ON time, press PROG button to validate entry and move onto first
OFF time--"OFF" and number "1" appear to left of LCD display
indicating to enter first OFF time by using DAY, HOURS and MIN
buttons as above. Press PROG button to validate this entry. Repeat
remaining 7 ON/OFF settings as required. After setting required
ON/OFF settings, press CLOCK button to return display to clock. Timer
is now ready to operate. Check programmed settings by pressing
PROG button repeatedly--each setting will appear on screen.
MANUAL OVERRIDE
To choose permanent Manual ON, permanent Manual OFF,
Auto ON or Auto OFF, press Manual button. Each mode will be
displayed on screen. When choosing Auto ON, timer turns ON until
next programmed OFF time. The programmed settings will only work
on Auto mode. When Auto mode OFF is chosen, timer is OFF until
next programmed activity. (Inverted black triangle on LCD points
to either AUTO or MANUAL indicating which is selected)
COUNT DOWN FEATURE
To enter count down feature, press CLOCK and PROG buttons
simultaneously. Using HOURS and MIN buttons, set count down time.
(Maximum selection is 9 hours 59 minutes, minimum is 1 minute.)
Press MANUAL button to start countdown. Output will turn ON until
end of count down. Count down may be paused at any time during
period by pressing MANUAL button. To re-start, press MANUAL button
again. To review time during count down period, press and hold
CLOCK button. Release CLOCK button to return to count down display.
Note: To return to timer mode, press CLOCK and PROG buttons
simultaneously.
RANDOM AUTOMATIC ON/OFF SECURITY FEATURE
With this option selected, timer will switch ON and OFF in a random
pattern at least once in every 8 hours. (This may mean timer will
switch OFF within a set ON period, or vice versa.) Ideal for use with
a light--switching it ON and OFF automatically gives appearance of an
occupied home, but not at exactly the same time every day. To enter
Random mode, press DAY and HOURS buttons simultaneously.
An "R" will appear on display and unit will start random switching.
If no programmed times are set, timer will switch ON or OFF
approximately 1 minute after entering Random mode, then continue
randomly. To turn Random mode OFF, press DAY and HOURS buttons
together again.
SWITCH OVER SUMMERTIME/WINTERTIME ZONE CHANGE
To change from wintertime to summertime, press HOURS and MIN
buttons simultaneously. Clock will be set forward one hour and
"S" will appear on display. Repeat same procedure to return to
wintertime.
Note: if unit is purchased during summer, set clock time for one hour
less than correct time, select Auto mode and press HOUR and MIN
keys simultaneously. The unit will then adjust to correct summertime
and "S" will appear on LCD.
RESET
To reset unit for time and programmed ON/OFF settings,
press RESET button.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS and
RATINGS
[Contact the manufacturer; I've already wasted too much time typing
this in:
AmerTac
Saddle River Executive Centre,
One Route 17 South, Saddle River, NJ 07458
800-777-0802
www.amertac.com
Made in China