Time in template

Configuration
1

Research leads me to think that:-

{{ states(‘sensor.time’) }}
as a template should return the current time.
But all I get is ‘unknown’.

I have the time integration installed and that shows the time. But trying to use the time anywhere is simply not working.

I’m sure it’s something simple, but I can’t figue out what and it’s driving me nuts, so any help would be appreciated.

2

Try:

{{ states.sensor.time.state }}
3

What are you actually trying to do?

Are you trying to make a Template Sensor Helper? If so, did you apply an inappropriate device class. (If you applied any device class, the answer is “yes”.)

4

Hi, accessing current date and time from templates, should be easier with now()

5

I want to make a template binary sensor using a couple of parameters (time and day) to determine if a certain light should be on or not. I need to use these conditions in a couple of places, but want to only have one place to actually set the values being used - hence the template binary sensor.

In fact, states(‘sensor.time’) is now working as it should. I originally copied it from somewhere and pasted it into the template, but I suspect the quotes were wrong, having been ‘smartened’ along the way, which is not visibly obvious. I re-typed them as actual single quotes and it now works.

I should have thought of that before as it’s not the first time this sort of thing has caught me out.

6

{{ now().time() }} will give you the current time
sensor.time only is available if you’ve set up the integration. Of which I see basically no use unless you want a sensor to display on a dashboard.
For usage in templates just use now() to retreive the current time or date

7

Good point, although I don’t recall setting up the integration. As now() is apparently the built-in method, I’ll use that.

Can I throw in another question here though. I know binary sensors basically just return true or false, but the type chosen means one sees other descriptions, like ‘no light’ or ‘light detected’ for a light. Is there a type that can be used to simply show true or false?

Although this will be used to control lights, it is not detecting anything. I just want a yes|true or false|no to be the choices offered and shown in the UI, but none of the types offered seem to be that simple. Is there one?

8

Without a device class it will show on or off
these are the possible device classes and their output
https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/binary_sensor/#device-class

9

Thanks, I had seen that list, but not noticed the ‘none’ option.