If you have the same Autocirc product I have, then it cannot be taken apart. The timer seems to be connected and sealed together with the pump. If yours is different, answer back with the wires that you can see and we'll see if the timer can be by-passed.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.htmlWith the ordinary Grunfos-type pump that is not on a timer, you can add a switch and have the pump work on demand as you describe.
And they make a product that does the specific job you describe. It's called a Demand Pump. Link above shows two different types at page bottom.
I have not tested either Demand Pump shown. They operate on-demand ... when you activate the pump, the pump quickly brings water over from the hot water heater.
So the Demand Pump has a higher volume pump than the Autocirc or Grunfos.
I question a two things about the Demand Pump. 1) How will the increased pump pressure affect local pipes, especially supply tubes under a sink. 2) How HOT does the pump get? If pump gets hot, and it is located under bathroom sink next to paper goods, then that is a hazard. Some regional building codes don't allow ceiling light bulbs in closets because the bulbs get hot and start fires when people pack their closets full.
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