Simple template sensor with last state memory

Configuration
#1

Hello,

My home assistant is connected to an external community sensor, but the sensor is sometimes offline (unavailable). I want to create my template sensor, who save last state of external sensor and show the last state if the external sensor is unavailable. If the external sensor works I want to show value from it.
I build my first template in my configuration.yaml:

template:
  - sensor:
      - unique_id: sensor_pm10_LastState
        name: >
            {% if "unavailable" != states("sensor.sensor_pm10") | string %}
              {{ "Wrocław PM 10" }}
            {% else %}
              {{ "Wrocław PM 10 (offline)" }}
            {% endif %}
        unit_of_measurement: "μg/m³"
        icon: "mdi:molecule"
        state: >
            {% set pm10 = states("sensor.sensor_pm10") | string %}
            {% if pm10 != 'unavailable' %}
              {% set pm10_last_state = pm10 | float %}
              {{ pm10 | float }}
            {% else %}
              {{ pm10_last_state | float }}
            {% endif %}

What am I doing wrong? What can I do better?

Please help.

Regards
Rafal

#2

I suggest you use a Trigger-based Template Sensor because its value is preserved after a restart.

template:
  - trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: sensor.sensor_pm10
    sensor:
      - unique_id: sensor_pm10_LastState
        name: "Wrocław PM 10{{ ' (offline)' if trigger.to_state.state == 'unavailable' else '' }}"
        unit_of_measurement: "μg/m³"
        icon: "mdi:molecule"
        state: >
          {% set pm10 = states('sensor.sensor_pm10') %}
          {{ pm10 if trigger.to_state.state != 'unavailable' else this.state }}

Its initial value will be unknown until it is triggered (by sensor.sensor_pm10).

2 Likes
#3

Tnx for reply, but I get only unknown value from your template sensor :frowning:

#4

Has the value of sensor.sensor_pm10 changed yet?

The Trigger-based Template Sensor will initially report unknown until it is triggered by a change in the value of sensor.sensor_pm10.

#5

Yes

As the value changed your template sensor started working great :slight_smile:

#6

That’s good.

For the final test, wait until sensor.sensor_pm10 is unavailable then check what the Trigger-based Template Sensor reports.

I realize it may take some time before this happens so just reply whenever it occurs.

#7

Works great :slight_smile: TNX :slight_smile:

1 Like
#8

You’re welcome!

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1 Like