Template - trying to copy a helper text value e.g.18:45:25 to another helper but is a date field

Configuration
1

I asked elsewhere for something a little different but been trying all day & cannot work out.
I set a helper that gets a value from a text field resulting in sensor.meteokensstarttime
the text is e.g. 15:45 (also currently trying 15:45:20) same result.

I want an automation that copies that value to another helper, input_datetime.economy_7_start
changes to this value then trigger an automation & script that actually sends that time to my Solar Inverter to adjust overnight charging times. This works but trying to automate it, hence the text file that gets altered depending on weather forecast & I increase or decrease charge start times.

I think to do with text & date issues, as below the template shows 00:00:00 I guess not getting the time.
I might try using the sensors.yaml to set it as a date format direct when pulling from the text file but not sure how that might work & settings & think more difficult to bug hunt.

service: input_number.set_value
data:
  value: "{{ states('sensor.meteokensstarttime') }}"
target:
  entity_id: input_datetime.economy_7_start

service: input_number.set_value
data:
  value: {{ states('sensor.meteokensstarttime') }}
  value: {{ states('sensor.meteokensstarttime') | timestamp_custom('%H:%M:%S', default='00:00:00') }}

service: input_number.set_value data:
value: 18:45:10
value: 00:00:00
This template listens for the following state changed events:

  • Entity: sensor.meteokensstarttime
2

Your using the wrong service call. It’s input_datetime.set_value not input_number.set_value.

service: input_datetime.set_value
data:
  time: "{{ states('sensor.meteokensstarttime') }}"
target:
  entity_id: input_datetime.economy_7_start