Using a timer to turn a switch on or off is only possible with lots of automations or helpers!
You can only change the duration in the timer config or you have to create a number helper (timer minutes/hours) and sync with another automation the timer minutes/hours from helper to timer and start the timer if helper > 0.
To show the remain duration of the timer in the picture-elements you can only use the not very pretty state-badge which uses many space in the picture and shows the remain time only very small!
To show the number helper and timer only if available you have to use the conditional type element with a big yaml code!
Things to have create for each timer:
- Automation to handle timer cancel/ends to turn the switch.
- Number Helper
- Automation to sync the number helper
- Many yaml code in picture-elements
How can we make it easier?
- Adhoc duration change in gui: Allow to change the timer duration in gui direct in the timer start dialog.
- Direct Assignment timer to switch to simple allow turn off or on the switch.
- Smaller, nicer state-badge or something else in picture-elements: The only way to show the remain duration in picture-elements is the state-badge. But the state-badge is very big and scaling it smaller makes the duration info very small… Very bad. Please create a better thing.
- Perhaps a default property in picture-elements e.g. “show only if active” for all elements. Inactive timer is not visible or show only a “Start” button.
Thanks, Ben