Count down timer

either the magnatron fried , or the fuse fried... either way the microwve has to be taken down and opened up.
If you have the serial number , GE will send you a replacement magnatron (but will not service the unit for you).
contact GE and they will take care of you... the magnatrons are warranted for like 10 years....

This unit will shut down if unloaded for a set period of time. Usually 5 to 10 minutes. This time could be longer if some one has changed it from the factory setting. There is a timer in the control box that starts counting down when the unit unloads. If it stays unloaded long enough for the timer to count down the unit will stop until the air pressure drops to the low set point on the pressure switch. It will then start up. If the unit loads before the counter counts down the timer starts from the beginning when it unloads again. This cycle continues until you manually shut it down or you stop using air long enough for the timer to reach Zero and shut down.

after camera is turned to auto and the timer has counted down it turns off.

This information comes from the movement manufacture and helps figure out what does what. I also have a yacht timer with no instructions.....hope this helps

A combination of design and technology, ISA 8270 is a precise racing timer developed especially for yachting races, displaying count-down during regatta departures with audible signals, followed by cumulated time during races. The dimensions (25.60mm, H 4.60mm) offer a large variety of opportunities for watch designs. It is suitable for the manufacture of models for gents and ladies watches.

This new calibre is an analogue quartz timer fitted with an alarm function. It displays the hours, minutes, seconds (small jumping seconds at 2 o’clock counter), and date shown by a date window at 6 o’clock. In addition, it allows count-down and race timing. The small hand at 10 o’clock counter and the central hand facilitate the display of count-down and time measurement clearly visible.

Count-down, Racing Timer and Alarm features

ISA 8270 yachting movement not only provides the traditional count-down at 10, 6 and 5 minutes, but also the versatility of setting count-downs at any minute from 10 to 1 minute.

One special feature is that it allows the possibility of recalibrating the count-down at every minute up to the last minute before departure. This latter function allows the navigators to readjust the watch at any time during the count-down to the closest full minute in order to be in line with the official procedure announced by the racing committee (RC) boat so as to get off the best possible start. Audible signals are emitted every minute to alert the progress of count-down. To give higher accuracy, every-second audible signals are emitted during the last 10 seconds count-down to ensure knife-sharp precision. Immediately after the departure, the count-down automatically shifts to the racing timer mode to measure the time of the race event for a maximum of 96 hours. Setting, start/stop and recalibration of count-down and race timing are facilitated by the pushers (at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock), which are easier to operate.

Thanks to an oversized counter hand and a highly visible flange on the dial that our customers may design, the navigators can best monitor the time remaining before departure and during the entire procedure.

The alarm time is displayed in an analogue mode. Alarm start/stop is enabled by a pusher at 8 o’clock and is displayed by a central alarm hand (12 hours).

Superb performance

Born of precision, accuracy and innovation, ISA 8270 offers excellent quality and performance. Intended for yachting races, this movement gives answer to sports watches requiring indispensable qualities: strength, endurance, agility and outstanding speed.
When the trend of sportive and fashionable quartz watches prevails, this new Swiss Made ISA 8270 priced competitively with outstanding performance answers the expectations of an increasing market demand and customers, who wish to add a number of value-added exceptional designs to their next collections with strong sporting character.

Specifications
Calibre: ISA 8270 Yachting Movement
Size 11 1/2’’’
Swiss Made quartz movement, 9 jewels
6 hands, 2 counters, 3 pushers
Hour, minute, small second at 2H counter
Date window at 6H
Count-down (max. 10 minutes)
Racing timer (max. 96 hours)
Alarm (12 hours)

Technical information
Diameter: 25.60mm
Movement height: 4.60mm
Height of stem and pushers: 2.25mm

Press the bottom part of the ring around the menu/ok button to activate the timer. Press once for 10 second count down and twice for 2 second count down. Then press the picture button as normal and the count down will start.

Once you release the shutter button it will start to count down, at the end of 10 seconds it will take the picture.

I highly suggest using a tripod or if not a stable surface to sit the camera.

Have you actually set the camera to take self-timer pictures or are you just pressing the shutter half-way to focus and then all the way?

To set the timer, you simply need have the camera in ready mode (as if you were going to take a picture normally), then on the back where you have the four directional pad buttons, with the camera facing you press the left button once and you should see a circle with the number 10 in it. If not, press again. This is the timer for 10 seconds. If your press the left button again, you will see a circle with a 2 in it. This is the 2-second timer.

Now choose which one you want, the 10 or 2-second timer. Once you have decided, press the shutter button fully and you will start to hear beeping. This is the count down sound. Now depending on if you have the flash setting to go off, once the beeping and the self-time indicator on the front of the camera stops flashing, your picture has been taken.

To take another timed photo, you must repeat the same steps again.

Hope that helps.

You could try disconnecting power to the switch for a few minutes maybe that will reset it. Other than that I would say cut your losses and replace it. Hope this helps a little.

Here's how it works.

Press the Menu button. (Some settings are unavailable in some modes.)
Press 'up arrow' or 'down arrow' to get to the 'Self Timer' option which looks like a clock set at 10 minutes to 10.
Press the OK button.
Press the Menu button to exit the menu.
(This setting will stay until you take a picture or turn the mode dial).

Good Luck