I think I figured out what the issue was with the timer. Once you turn the lights on, just hit the timer button one time and it will stay on for six hours.I’m adding a question to how do you regulate the timer? I got no instructions. And luckily, I did have the special tool to screw it together that most people won’t haveThis wreath looks awesome on my new fence gate. It could use a lot more lights because these lights are so tiny, but you can still see them from the road. But maybe another 50 would help. Did not use the bow because it was pretty chintzy and old school. I was able to hook it to just one side of the fence in case I needed to use the gate. I even had my neighbors texting me and telling me how nice this wreath looked on my fence gate.