Template sensor fails when using as binary_sensor

Configuration
1 
binary_sensor:
  - platform: command_line
    name: Status
    scan_interval: 60
    command: "/Users/server/scripts/status.sh"
    value_template: "{{ value }}"

The script returns True or False (tested with on and off). The status is alway unknown.

But it worked like this:

sensor:
  - platform: command_line
    name: Status
    scan_interval: 60
    command: "/Users/server/scripts/status.sh"
    value_template: "{{ value }}"

What is wrong here?

2

Paste the states of the sensor in here for the working configuration.

3 
binary_sensor.status
Status
unknown

sensor.status
Status
False

I copied the code from binary_sensor: to sensor:

Bash:

if [ -f "$FILE" ]; then
    echo "True"
else
    echo "False"
fi
4

It should be resolving it. It’s possible there’s hidden special characters in the response due to the encoding level. Change your value_template to

"{{ 'True' in value }}"
5

Still unknown:
value_template: "{{ 'True' in value }}"

6

I don’t see how it could be. How are you checking the state of the binary sensor

7

In frontend and developer tools.

8

Not sure what to tell you. Without looking at the docs, it should be working after a restart.

9

I have four sensors in binary_sensor. One works the others don’t. They are all platform: command_line.

It does work in sensor:

Is there a disadvantage using it under sensor:?

10

Do you have 2 binary sensor sections? If yes, you can only have 1. Merge them together

11

I do have one in template where I use - binary_sensor: each time.

In the binary_sensor.yaml I only have this:

  - platform: ping
    host: 8.8.8.8
    count: 1
    scan_interval: 60
    name: Internet

  - platform: command_line
...
12

Just to be sure, I can use template binary sensor and binary sensor, right?

13

Yes.

My only other thought is that you’re looking at the wrong binary_sensor and a new one was created with a similar name.

14

According to the documentation, the default values for payload_on and payload_off are ON and OFF, respectively. In your case, the received values are True and False so modify the values of payload_on and payload_off.

binary_sensor:
  - platform: command_line
    name: Status
    scan_interval: 60
    command: "/Users/server/scripts/status.sh"
    value_template: "{{ value }}"
    payload_on: "True"
    payload_off: "False"
2 Likes
15

Wow, that was really the issue. Thanks a lot for that. I was about to give up.

1 Like