From Ron simpson on another thread!

I have an automated house for 40 years. I am trying to update a 25 year old computer.
I am using Home Assistant on a HA_Green computer which is not a PC or a Pie. (told many times there is no difference, but not true)
I have a water sprinkler made of a 4 channel WiFi relay board driving valves. (works with Node Red through a Chinese server that is not reliable) (works through eWelink Chinese server) (works with HA no Chinese server! happy days)
Here is the web page for the human interface. This is made with no code. Click on "Garden Water X" will toggle the state of the relay and turn off all others, and start the Water Timer. When the timer runs out, turn off relay, start next relay and timer.
"Water Low" on/off looks at the well to see if water is there. It pauses the timer. This mostly works. No code.

There are many YouTube examples of using "timer helpers". Give it a name, Icon of a clock, Duration of 5:00 and the blue button keeps the timer running during a reset. Really simple. The written data said you can leave the Duration un-set (??) and load the time from another entity, device, number, etc. In my case I want to load the time deration from a "number helper" where I input a number with mouse or keyboard. No where can I find an example of it actually being done. "Can be easily done" I want to get the "Time Zone1" number to the "Water Timer". Sorry I don't know the words. Entity, Device, variable, number? Red arrow. lol
I did find a very blurry video where the Guy clicks on a window, Maybe "Add Label" types in three words and said that should work, but we don't want to do that now, erases and moves on.

Because I lack the vocabulary I can't ask the question correctly.
I know that if I knew Python, C or YAML it is easy. (probably not but)
I loaded NodeRed and followed the example. Very simply to pull a number out of HA into NodeRed to see the connection. Does not work for me. It appears my NodeRed stops working and restarts when I window away from it and back. Yes, I know "window away" is not the right word.

Background: The old computer is homemade, It has a multitasking BASIC compiler. It controls 28 relays, watches the water level in the well, wind speed, puts information out on the web. All in one task using a half page of code. I wrote that task in two hours. I was younger then. lol

 

Let's start from scratch.

Ignore anything you have seen past and present.
1. Outline on pen and paper how you envision your system is supposed to work.
2. Draw a user interface.
3. Tell us what you think the hardware should look like. Ignore your present knowledge and computer experience.

Then let's see if we can work through a solution for you.

 

Let's start from scratch.

Ignore anything you have seen past and present.
1. Outline on pen and paper how you envision your system is supposed to work.
2. Draw a user interface.
3. Tell us what you think the hardware should look like. Ignore your present knowledge and computer experience.

Then let's see if we can work through a solution for you.

Hi R,
Thanks for your reply, but this isn't really my thread, I transfered it for Ron, to here.
I agree with you that it would be better to start again, but in this case it is not what Ron is looking for.
I'll wait for him to check the question, and go from there.
C.

 

If this is not your project then we will lock this thread and let Ron start his own thread.