Generic Thermostat how to specify level ?

[steep dagger]

Hi, I have a heater that has a on/off switch and a level setting. The generic thermostat only has a switch that i can specify, what would be the best way to make a thermostat using the heather a a temperatures sensor i already have. I need a way to specify the level like if the temperature is between 1-2 C run with level 3 and if it's 5C run with level 5 (just an example).

[sullen lance]

I'm not sure that it'd be integrated directly with the thermostat, but you could create a separate automation triggered on the switch state and/or the ambient temperature to control the level.

[steep dagger]

I see so you would make an automation that sets the level and turns on the heater according to the differnece in temperature set vs read from sensor ?

[sullen lance]

Well, the way you made it sound was that there's 2 entities: 1 on/off switch and one selector for the level, is that right? Generic thermostat could continue to handle the switch, to know when it's time to turn it on/off, etc. The other automation could just set the level based on whatever conditions you specific, so if it's on, it'll be that level.

[steep dagger]

Actually there are 3

i now understand what you are saying, maybe i can create a template switch to control Start / Stop

then do as you say, use generic thermostat to control the template switch on/off and use an automation to set the level

[sullen lance]

Agreed, that makes sense and would be needed for the generic thermostat. Yeah, that's the approach that I think would work best, then you get all the benefits of the generic thermostat handling turning things on and off. It'd be up to you if it actually makes sense to adjust the power level after it's actually on with that other automation, you might just set it the first time it kicks on depending on the temp and keep it there until the generic thermostat turns it off.

[steep dagger]

Thanks you very much, it makes sense. Sounds like a good solution

[steep dagger]

an additional question, the Start/Stop are two button entities. how does one trigger those in an automation ? is it an input_button ?

[sullen lance]

Are they in the button domain? input_buttons are usually ones you define yourself

Likely button.press

[steep dagger]

the entity is button.

[sullen lance]

button.press is the action you'd want to use

[steep dagger]

button.vevore_diesel_heater_start
and button.vevore_diesel_heater_stop