OK, I think I've figured it out. It takes 2 cycles in a row to set Automation Mode. Must be sort of a safety method to be sure you don't accidentally set automation mode (?) or a programming error. Just for clarity here's the procedure to get my Pentair Warrior SE into automation mode:
- Plug in the unit.
- Press the timer button (not power button) for 10 seconds. The power led plus the 3 timer led's will light.
- Unplug the unit.
- Plug the unit in again.
- Press the timer button again for 10 seconds. The power led plus the 3 timer led's will light.
- Unplug the unit. Then plug it in again. The power led and 3 timer led's will light and the unit is running. If you unplug again and re plug it will start again. This verifies you are in automation mode. It will always start with power until you press the power button with the unit running which turns off automation mode. In non-automation mode you have to press the power button after plugging it in.
I hope this is helpful. Please see a few photo's below.
Chris
Unit in Normal Mode after plugging in:
After pressing the timer button for 10 seconds these lights stay on:
Unplug the unit and re plug it which results in the first photo again. Press the timer button again for 10 seconds which causes the 3 timer mode led's to light simultaneously. You are now in Automation Mode. If you unplug and re plug it will always start with these lights on indicating you are in Automation Mode. Any time it's running like this you can take it out of Automation Mode by pressing the power button.