Hello, After I set the dial (which has preset time durations) after hitting start, the timer counts down by minutes but jumps significantly. Example of countdown would be: 59, 58, 34, 17, 4, John

replace the timer or program board

incorrect operation. 1. Remove screws and back cover. 2. Insert two 1.5V 'C' Alkaline batteries. (Check + and - are correct.). IMPORTANT: Rechargeable batteries must not be used. 3. Replace batteries each season. (max 12 months use) MAINTAINING THE WATERPROOF SEAL 1. Ensure that rubber seal is positioned correctly. 2. Replace back cover and screw down tightly. 3. Repeat each time back cover is removed. HOW TO PROGRAMME THE TIMER There are two watering operations - Automatic and Manual. AUTOMATIC OPERATION Automatic ON 1. Turn dial clockwise to AUTO START at actual desired start time (e.g. To start watering each day at 15H00 you must set your AC1 when the actual time of day is 15H00). The timer has now memorised the auto start time until it is reset and will operate every day at this time. Use of manual ON or OFF does not cancel memory. 2. Turn dial anti-clockwise to: a) Chosen duration for once-a-day operation, or b) Chosen programme for all other watering frequencies (see table). The timer will now automatically run the selected program repeatedly until a new option is selected. GB 2 Automatic OFF Turn dial to Manual ON or OFF. If you wish to return to Automatic watering re-select the desired watering programme. NOTE your auto start time remains memorised until a new one is selected. Changing start time Turn dial clockwise to AUTO START at new chosen start time. Changing watering programme Turn dial to new programme. Do not turn dial to AUTO START unless a new start time is desired. MANUAL OPERATION Manual ON Turn dial anti-clockwise to ON. Water will flow for 60 minutes maximum or until turned to OFF setting. Note: After 60 minutes water shuts off. Knob will still point to ON and needs to be manually set to OFF or to desired number of automatic watering minutes. Manual OFF Turn dial clockwise to OFF. Note: Operation is only audible when valve opens and closes. To check that timer is working, switch to manual ON or OFF to hear valve operate. CONNECTING THE TIMER TO THE TAP Use supplied adapters if required. Tighten to ensure no leaks

If you have the kitchen timer set for instance for 10 minutes and it is counting down, and then you want to reheat you coffee for 2 minutes. You would hit either time cook or reheat button and enter 2 minutes ten hit start. The microwave will heat your coffee and show the 2 minute countdown for that. When done it will revert back to what is left on the 10 minute kitchen timer without missing a beat on most microwaves.

From the Melnor 304f actual instructions:

Use 9V alkaline batter only! Flashing lighs indicate that the battery is low and needs to be replaced.

1) To start: Turn Dial to Off position and press ENTER
2) Set Time: set the current time and press ENTER
3) Start Time: set the time to start the first irrigation cycle and press ENTER.
4) Frequency: Set the frequency of the irrigation cycle e.g. twice a day = 12h and press entere.
5) Duration: Set the duration of the first irrigation cycle and press ENTER.

-- to change the duration
Turn the dial to the new duration and press ENTER

--to turn the water on manually

Turn dial to ON position.. The water will turn off automatically after 30 minutes.
-- to turn the water OFF
Turn the dial to the OFF position

Do NOT press ENTER when dial is in OFF position, otherwise the unit will clear the program, and you have to Reprogram the unit following the steps 2 through 5.

here are instructions from diesel:

http://store.dieseltimeframes.com/wcsstore/CommonDiesel/instructions/ENGLISH/Diesel_Digital-Guide_ENG.pdf

more specifically


TIME OF DAY MODE
1. Press C to toggle between Time 1 and Time 2.
2. Hold C for two seconds to set Time 1 or 2 as default.
3. Press D to turn on/off key tone.
Time 1
> To set Time, press A until hour flashes. Press B to select the setting
item. Use C and D buttons to adjust the values up or down. Press A to
exit set mode.
Time 2
> To set Time, press A until hour flashes. Press B to select the setting
item. Use C and D buttons to adjust the values up or down. Press A to exit set mode.
> The range difference between Time 1 and Time 2 is 23 hours.
CHRONO MODE
1. Press C to start and stop chronograph.
2. Press D to Split/Reset the chronograph.
3. Press A to recall the memory if Chronograph is stopped.
4. Press A again to view the next lap.
5. Press C or D to exit Recall mode and go back to Chronograph mode.
6. There are a total of 10 lap memories.
TIMER MODE
1. There are 3 different modes of timer: Count Down-Stop, Count DownRepeat, Count Down-and Up.
2. Press C to start/stop the timer counting.
3. Press D to reset the counter to the preset value if timer is stopped.
4. Press and hold A for 2 seconds to enter Timer Setting Mode. 35 Timer Setting Mode


5. Press B to cycle around the setting item: timer-type, hour, minute,
second and to back timer-type again.
6. Press C and D to increase/decrease the setting value.
7. Press A to exit the setting mode.
TIMER ALARM
Timer alarm will beep 2 times a second for 30 seconds.
ALARM MODE
1. Press C to select the alarm.
2. Press D to enable/disable the alarm.
3. Press B to change to Time mode again.
ALARM SETTING MODE
1. Press and hold A for 2 seconds to enter the alarm settings mode.
2. Press C and D to increase or decrease the settings value.
3. Press A to exit the settings mode.

Copy following link for defrost timers:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Paragon-timers-and-manuals.html#defrost

There are 2 general types defrost timers.
Time activated - Time terminated
Time activated - Temperature-pressure terminated, with timed termination back-up

Here is basic image:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/8145-work-image.jpg
Rotate dial until current time lines up with pointer, insert tripper pin on outside edge of dial to select defrost start-time, move defrost duration tripper on inner dial to set termination time.

Each defrost timer is slightly different:
If timer is time-terminated, then wiring follows certain diagram.
If timer is temperature-pressure terminated, then different wiring diagram is used.

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

Question is not clear: Add a comment for more information.
1) Did timer work before and stop working?
If timer stopped working, then buy another one for $15.

2) Is this a new timer?
Is the wiring correct?
Does the on-off switch turn load on and off?

GE 15068 is countdown timer.
Following link has a photo showing example timer:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/311ev7wNxkL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
To operate countdown functions, move slide switch to Timer.
Rotate dial to one of the numbers shown on dial, for example 15.
Timer will turn on Load.
Timer begins counting down for 15 minutes.
When countdown expires, load turns off.

Spring wound countdown timers turn on the load after dial is turned.
If your timer is not counting down, and turn knob is not rotating back to the start position, then timer is no good.
This timer counts down even if it's not connected to electricity, so the problem is not wiring.

Melnor 604F Instructions (from Label on unit)All indicator light flashing - replace 9V battery inside unit
1. To Start - turn dial to Off and press Enter.
2. Set Time - set current time and press Enter (Yellow ring).
3. Set Start Time - Set time to start first irrigation cycle (Yellow ring) and press Enter.
4. Frequency - Set frequency of irrigation cycle; e.g., twice a day set 12 h. (red sector ring) and press Enter
5. Duration - Set duration of cycle (Green band) minutes and press Enter.
----------
To change duration - turn dial to new duration and press enter.
To turn water on manually - Turn dial to ON position, water will turn off in 30 min.
Do not press enter in the OFF position as the unit will clear program. You will have to reprogram unit
via steps 2-5 above.

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