Christmas Light Outdoor Timer-Out of sync- Help!!

[Ness2289]

I bought an outdoor timer for my lights on the porch. I've set the timer with tabs up for off times and down for on times as instructed. I have continuously turned the arrow to the current time of day. However, everyday it gets off track. This afternoon, I noticed the lights were on around 1:00 or something. I went out to look at the timer and the arrow was pointing to an AM time no where close to the correct time. What am I doing wrong? TIA to anyone who can help me!!

 

[1stluvispooh]

We had the same problem. Our solution. Throw it in the trash

 

[PrincessShmoo]

QUOTE=Ness2289;34643170]I bought an outdoor timer for my lights on the porch. I've set the timer with tabs up for off times and down for on times as instructed. I have continuously turned the arrow to the current time of day. However, everyday it gets off track. This afternoon, I noticed the lights were on around 1:00 or something. I went out to look at the timer and the arrow was pointing to an AM time no where close to the correct time. What am I doing wrong? TIA to anyone who can help me!![/QUOTE]

Is the circuit the timer is connected to always on? Or is it on a on/off switch? If it's on a on/off switch, everytime you turn the switch off the timer turns off. It needs to be always on.

 

[Ness2289]

I have no idea. There is no switch that I know of. (I just moved into my house last month.) It's the outlet beside the garage door outside, so I don't know how it could be operated by a switch. I guess I'll have to keep adjusting it for now.

 

[golfgal]

Get a photocell timer-automatically goes on at dusk and you can set them to stay on for however long you want.

 

[Ness2289]

I went back through the directions line by line. I noticed one thing that I did not do. You have to 1) set the timer, 2) plug the timer into the outlet, and 3) plug the appliance (or lights) into the timer--in THAT order. I naturally swapped steps 2 and 3 when I first did it. We'll see when I get home tonight. It will be kind of funny if something that simple caused all this trouble.

 

[lynxstch]

that supplied power to that timer?...
Our neighbors put their lights up this past week..and on a timer..I thought it was odd that the lights were on in the morning and all day..and off at nite....I went over and mentioned it to them..they had the time of day set on pm instead of am or vice versa..and never noticed that the lights were off at night..lol!

 

[Ness2289]

Okay...it still isn't working!!! The time will not stay where it is supposed to. To be honest, the way the timer is set up, I don't see how it could stay on the correct time. I just don't know... Oh well,...looks like I'll be twisting the dial everyday! I have a feeling it turns on while I'm at work. CRAZY!

 

[Ness2289]

I figured it out!! I know no one really cares but me, but I had to share! My lights are finally coming on at the correct times. Yea!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not sure why you think nobody cares (heck, I live in an apartment and I care ). Seriously - do you know how you fixed it? That may help someone else reading this thread.