Trouble with a consistent sensor that tells the state of washing machine

Configuration Frontend
1

I have my washing machine plugged into a tasmota flashed smart plug that reports electricity usage. I am able to see how much power is being used in order to tell if the washing machine is running or not. The problem is that during the cycle the power usage will drop to the same amount as it is at when it is off. When it is off it usually draws between 0.054 and 0.06 amps. When it is running it will go from 0.054 to 2 amps throughout the cycle. Due to this issue I can’t use a simple threshold binary sensor. There must be a way to use a template sensor, but I have not been able to figure anything out that is consistent. Here is my latest attempt:

washing_machine:
      value_template: >-
        {% set amps = states("sensor.sonoff_energy_current_2") | float %}
        {% set time_now = as_timestamp(now()) | float %}
        {% set time_washing_machine_last_changed = as_timestamp(states.binary_sensor.washing_machine.last_changed) | float %}
        {% set time_diff = time_now - time_washing_machine_last_changed %}

        {% if amps > 1 %}
          On
        {% elif amps < 0.07 and time_diff > 600 %}
          Off
        {% endif %}

How do I get this to work?

2

Use the delay_on/off option for the binary template sensor. So it has to be below x Watts for y minutes before going off.

      delay_off: 120
      value_template: >
        {{ states("sensor.sonoff_energy_current_2") | float > 1 }}
3

I use the statistics sensor for my washer with the watts of my hs-110 smart plug… it levels it out just enough… I was able to setup filling/rinsing/spinning status based on the power consumption, although not entirely accurate… Also… if your washer has an LED indicating “Done” you may be able to watch for that final drop with the led on or off… we get reminders to move the clothes to the dryer because that led turns off after you open the lid.
… this also with toms suggestion… I have similar for the “power-up” and “power-down” so it only updates the status/cycle progress once it’s sure it has been turned on/turned off