Usage Troubleshooting What kind of schedule should I program my hot water timer to work by?

Yes, most heat-water heater timers can be set for different schedule.
Add a comment and include the timer brand and number and I will look up manual if available.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-timers-and-manuals.html#towerchron

Gene

Water Heater Timers Save Money

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

You have multiple start times in 1 or all of the programs A,B,C or D. 1 start time in the A program will run the zones in this program once on the days it is schedule to water. Example: Think of each program as a separate timer. All want to know 3 things What time to water, how long to water for and what days to water. Timer 1 is the A program. Set to water everyday at 8 am for every zone which has a duration. Don't want the plants to water everyday take the minutes out of zone run time in this timer or the A program. Want the plants to water M,W,F add a start time, a run time to corresponding zone and M,W,F in timer 2 or B program. Want the plants to water twice in a 24 hr period add a second start time to each timer or program. and so on. The programs are only used for watering schedules with more or less days per week you want a specific zone to water. Otherwise use only the A program with 1 start time for once a day or whatever days you desire for all zones.

I can't be sure without going outside (it's raining) and checking my own controller, but I'm thinkin' that the arrow pointing to "even" indicates that the program will only water on even numbered days. Can you change it so it points to event and "All"?

Yes. It appears the Sunvix SP2 is 2-channel timer.
http://www.sunvic.co.uk/documentation/Programmer_Select_207.pdf

Two-channel means CH central heat and WH water heater can be programmed separately, and each can have its own timing program.
pg 3

The timer offers pre-programmed options for both CH and WH, which can be used, or program your own schedule. chart pg 5 and steps pg 3

Limitations: both channels operate on same clock time, and dip switch setting. pg 6. So the WH cannot be programmed for 5-2 weekdays-weekends and CH programmed for 24 hour.
As a convenience for varied work schedules, Sometimes people use the 5-2 weekday-weekend option so 2 days of week can have different programming, and then fudge current day setting during the set-current-time step pg2 so the 'weekend days' are actually moved to wedsday-thursday instead of sat-sun.

Option: both CH and WH timer programs can be linked and follow same programming by using copy button. pg 5

Using advance button on either side of timer, pg 3-4, WH and CH timing schedules can be overridden temporarily until next set point is reached. Then regular programming automatically resumes.
If override or Advance button is pushed for either CH or WH, it reverses whatever programming is in effect. On becomes off, or off becomes on. However if CH thermostat is satisfied and room temperature has not fallen below thermostat set point, then override will not turn CH on, but override will turn CH off. Same for WH override: If cylinder thermostat is satisfied with internal water temperature, the water heater will not turn on and heat more water, but the override can turn water cylinder off.

Unit requires Cr2033 lithium button battery. Pg 6. Probably lasts 3-5 years. Programming is protected for 30 days from power outage.
If programming is lost, change battery, the reset timer and reprogram to restore functionality.

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

You can install direct return line that cycles hot water directly back through drain valve on water heater, so hot water circulates independently from the cold water line. This system means cold water is available immediately, and also hot water is available immediately, but means installing additional plumbing line, and removing water heater drain valve. Removing plastic drain valve will probably break off and require hammer, big screwdriver, torch, and 7/8" drill to remove broken pieces.
Here is image:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Laing-direct-return-line2b.jpg

Or use the timer feature instead of thermostat to precisely schedule when hot water will be available, and thereby also schedule when cold water is available.
Here is image:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/IMG_9325-grundfos-timer-800.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html

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

Question posted under 120volt Intermatic Eh10 timer.
I do not have repairs for defective timer.
EH10 has 1 year limited warranty.

Located just below the digital display is compartment for AA battery.
Display is controlled by battery.
Replace battery, press and hold reset button for several seconds to reset timer, and try to program again.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-EH40-hot-water-heater-timer.html#EH10
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/eh10-manual.pdf

EH10 and EH40 timers are susceptible to line noise.
If timer is connected to water heater, there is no line noise. And electrician tested for shorting wires.
But when timer is connected to fan, pump, or other type of load, then interference can be a problem.
Intermatic can provide a filter.
http://www.intermatic.com/customer%20service.aspx

Digital timers, digital water heaters, digital washer and dryer, digital water softener, digital treadmill, etc are increasingly common, yet are not protected from surge.
People protect computers and TVs, but forget other costly items.
EH10 can be affected by surge.
Install whole house surge protection:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-trippers-and-parts.html#surge

1) Open link below so we are talking about same type of household system
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html

2) 15 minute interval is misleading.
Pins located on timer dial divide 24-hour day into 15 minute intervals.
You set timer pins and decide which 15 minute intervals you want ON-or-OFF. Do this by moving pins inward or outward with your thumb or ink pen. To check settings, manually rotate timer dial clockwise and listen for pump turning on-off..
Set timer pins for 4 consecutive 15 minute intervals, then timer runs for 1 hour.
After pins are set, then manually rotate dial to set current time.
Dial rotates as time passes, and pins click a lever that turns pump on-off.

3) 5-year Life span. Like all things plumbing, if you have hard water or sand-n-dirt in water lines, then pipes clog. And pumps clog.
Once motor begins to slow down, it overheats and burns out.
Water softener can keep sediment out of lines, but shortens life of water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

4) Real question: do you need a circulation pump? Do you need hot water at your faucet? Can you schedule hot water use, or does recirculation pump have to run several hours per day?
Recirculation pumps causes water heater to run more, the pump consumes 25+ watts depending on pump, and water savings claims of 15,000 gallons per year are fabrication.
Realistic water savings is 700-2000 gallons per year, assuming several folks in the home use water sporadically across a full day, and each time water is used people are waiting for hot water. It also assumes that you never want cold water at the tap and that refrigeration ice maker line prefers hot water to cold.

5) Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on pump/timer or any do-it-yourself project.
We are always less expensive than a service call.

How to program Raindrip R673CT

Download R673CT manual at raindrip
Other models
R683CP
R672CT
Raindrip drip water guide

R673CT


Install 2 AAA batteries to power display

Set current time:
Press TIME and hour digit flashes > Use up-down arrows to set 24 hour clock
Press SET to confirm hour
Use up-down arrows to set minute
Press SET to confirm minute
Use up-down arrows to set day of week
Press SET to confirm day

Program review
Timer can set 16 watering schedules
When programming, look at display:
Notice: PROG for programming mode, #1, start time, run time, SU MO WE for days

Press PROG and display appear just like image above
Use arrows to select 1, 2, 3, 4 through 16 different watering schedules


Programming
Press PROG and display appear just like image above
Use arrows to select 1, 2, 3, 4 through 16 different watering schedules
Start time hour will flash
Once hour flashes, use arrows to select hour
Press SET to confirm hour
Minutes will flash
Use arrows to select minute
Press SET to confirm minutes
Run time hours will flash
Use arrows to set run time hours duration (0 to 9 hours)
Press SET to confirm
Run time minutes will flash
Use arrows to set run time minutes
Press Set to confirm

Now #2 shows on display this is about which days the timer will water
Decide 1) every other day, 2) every third day, or 3) watering at will

1) To water every other day:
While 2nd is flashing, press SET and SU TU WE FR will appear in display
Press SET to confirm

2) To water every third day:
While 2nd is flashing, press down-arrow
3rd will start flashing and TU WE SA will display
Press SET to confirm

3) To water at will:
While 2nd is flashing, press down-arrow twice
SU will flash
Press down-arrow to go to MO TU WE etc
Press SET when day you want appear on display

To set another watering program
Scroll back up to "programming" on this page
Press arrows to select programming 1 thru 16
Repeat programming sequence

After programming is set, press clock button and current time will show

If I understand correctly, you are controlling 240V water well pump with Intermatic C8866 Repeat timer.

So you must be using pump to irrigate, and want to turn pump on at certain times of day for short periods ... and want this schedule to repeat continually non-stop.

1) The c8866 repeats the same program every 4 hours so this is good choice for irrigation and it just turns the circuit on-and-off so it works fine with well control box (unless you want more complex programming).
Many types and prices of cycle timers
More cycle timers

Let me give a buckshot answer and see if I hit one of the targets you have.

2) C8866 according to manual:
a) You have on-off trippers
b) First ON tripper turns on load for 32-40 seconds
c) Each additional ON tripper will lengthen ON time by 30 seconds

3) To lengthen ON time: add successive ON trippers into dial. Each successive tripper adds 30 seconds. Let's say you want ON time to be 3 minutes, you need 6 successive ON trippers.
Maximum timer setting is 240 minutes, so your ON-OFF program repeats every 4 hours.
10 Tripper pins come with timer.
Buy more pins at Grainger for 2.69

4) Did you say the clock stops running after hitting the tripper? If so, maybe you need a bit of grease on the pins ... or a new clock motor? Buy clock motors at Aplus
5) Review the wiring
Hots from Breaker connect to COM and CLOCK poles
1 Hot to Load connects to NO normally open pole
Other Hot to load connects to CLOCK pole

6) You can reverse ON-OFF programming by the following:
Change Hot to Load from NO to NC pole and this will reverse on-off programming

Paragon 8145-20 is a 240V defrost timer
It is probably not best choice for water heater timer
Timer initiates defrost cycles each 4 hours.

A water heater timer should have more scheduling options.
-For example estimates show average run-time for water heater is 3 hours per day, depending on incoming water temperature, thermostat setting, and number of gallons used.
-To save money using water heater timer, you have to schedule times carefully so water heater runs less than 3 hours per day.
-Now your average electric water heater heats about 20 gallons per hour.
-Average shower uses 4-9 gallons hot water, so water heater needs to run 15-30 minutes (15 summer, 30 winter)
-Average bath uses 12-15 gallons hot water so water heater runs 45-60 minutes
-But lets say you run water heater for 1 hour and make 20 gallons of hot water. Then you take a shower, expecting hot water to remain in tank.
-Here's the problem ... cold water entered the tank to replace the shower water ... and the new cold water is cooling the rest of the tank.
-So a timer means scheduling hot water to match shower and bath events. For example taking shower and bath in immediate succession.
-Or set the timer for each individual hot water event ... for example set timer for 1/2 hour for shower, and later timer turns on 1 hour for bath, or 1-1/2 hr for 2 baths, etc
-> The flexible programming described above is not a characteristic of defrost timers.
I suggest Intermatic WH-31 240V or Intermatic T-104 240V or GE 15207. These are mechanical repeat-24 hour timers with manual override where each day has same schedule.
Digital programmable timers like Intermatic EH40 offer 7-day, 40 event programming. Weekends and weekdays can be different.
To see several box-type timers:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Boxtype.html