# CRON Plus help please

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [23 October 2019 08:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039 "2019-10-23T08:18:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 12\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 08:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/1 "2019-10-23T08:18:43Z")

</div>

Hey folks.

I am not getting all these _fancy_ tricks with the `cronplus` node.

I sort of do and sort of don't.

Although there are examples given, I can't get from them what I want.

I am wanting to inject a command to _add_ (or better saying: create) a job.

Is that what is called `describe`?

What I am wanting to get/create:  
a message/command to send into the node so I get:  
5 minute pulses,  
10 minute pulses,  
15 minute pulses,  
30 minute pulses,  
hourly pulses

The idea is that these are buttons.  
The button goes through a `trigger` node which firstly erases any existing queues then sends the new message/command.

Anyone.  
Someone.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 09:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/2 "2019-10-23T09:12:24Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> What I am wanting to get/create:  
> a message/command to send into the node so I get:  
> 5 minute pulses,  
> 10 minute pulses,  
> 15 minute pulses,  
> 30 minute pulses,  
> hourly pulses

For this part, I'd suggest you add them manually.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/2/223d23f30fe72f0f27763eb77a0202660ee89b24.png)

Then you can pause and resume through UI Buttons by sending a JS object formated like the document says...  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/e/e6885bc58d937cd15540d1e0c9ca807d0abd9580.png)

e.g. this will pause 5m timer...

```auto
{
    "command": "pause",
    "name": "5m"
}

```

e.g. this will resume 5m timer...

```auto
{
    "command": "start",
    "name": "5m"
}

```

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/6/64f08c84596eb7ce3659081459be51c0277428e1.png)

```auto
[{"id":"f71057ce.e6e458","type":"cronplus","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","outputField":"payload","timeZone":"","options":[{"topic":"5m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/5 * * * *"},{"topic":"10m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/10 * * * *"},{"topic":"15m","payload":"","type":"str","expression":"0 0/15 * * * *"},{"topic":"30m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/30 * * * *"},{"topic":"1h","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0 * * * *"}],"x":400,"y":160,"wires":[["aec9c629.a3b0f8"]]},{"id":"aec9c629.a3b0f8","type":"switch","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","property":"topic","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"eq","v":"5m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"10m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"15m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"30m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"1h","vt":"str"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":5,"x":630,"y":160,"wires":[["a14869a7.6f3678"],["afdf1e10.44b2a"],["fce53e2c.844cc"],["ab4b1ff1.36e1c"],["37a62ec0.d8a392"]]},{"id":"a14869a7.6f3678","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 5 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":80,"wires":[]},{"id":"afdf1e10.44b2a","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 10 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":120,"wires":[]},{"id":"fce53e2c.844cc","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 15 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":160,"wires":[]},{"id":"ab4b1ff1.36e1c","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 30 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":200,"wires":[]},{"id":"37a62ec0.d8a392","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 1 hour","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":240,"wires":[]},{"id":"be140172.18f3e","type":"ui_button","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","group":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","order":6,"width":0,"height":0,"passthru":false,"label":"Pause 5m timer","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"","icon":"","payload":"{\"command\":\"pause\",\"name\":\"5m\"}","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":400,"y":60,"wires":[["f71057ce.e6e458"]]},{"id":"aecb1219.62684","type":"ui_button","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","group":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","order":6,"width":0,"height":0,"passthru":false,"label":"Resume 5m timer","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"","icon":"","payload":"{\"command\":\"start\",\"name\":\"5m\"}","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":390,"y":100,"wires":[["f71057ce.e6e458"]]},{"id":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","type":"ui_group","z":"","name":"Default","tab":"afa587ca.3101f8","disp":true,"width":"6","collapse":false},{"id":"afa587ca.3101f8","type":"ui_tab","z":"","name":"CRON STUFF","icon":"dashboard","disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 09:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/3 "2019-10-23T09:19:03Z")

</div>

I do appreciate the info.

(You are of the idea I can read.) (😜)

In the mean time I got something working. Though your _trick_ is nice.

I'm not quite getting why the 15m is different, but I'll let that one go to the keeper.

I hadn't worked out that I could do what you showed in the example. Though maybe I had.  
It is a bit confusing.

This is what I nutted out myself.

```auto
[{"id":"226c024e.26a37e","type":"cronplus","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"Simple every 15 minutes","outputField":"payload","timeZone":"","options":[{"topic":"hourly","payload":"","type":"date","expression":"0 */15 * * * * *"}],"x":710,"y":1880,"wires":[["e51bafa7.ae3828"]]},{"id":"f26321bb.af4fa8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"Hourly","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":6,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"Hourly","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"H","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":260,"y":1960,"wires":[["8b470c04.d69c68"]]},{"id":"9ee5daf5.3357a8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"30 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":5,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"30 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"T","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":250,"y":1920,"wires":[["485e4bd9.cf8254"]]},{"id":"2ce08563.4625a2","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"15 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":4,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"15 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"F","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":250,"y":1880,"wires":[["2f66691.0f60316"]]},{"id":"4c6c0987.03a4a8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"10 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":3,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"10 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"F","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":250,"y":1840,"wires":[["e32937d2.229988"]]},{"id":"5936f564.5817b4","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"5 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":2,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"5 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"F","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":250,"y":1800,"wires":[["8a9fa56.9977958"]]},{"id":"d1c397f6.517be","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"STOP","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":1,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"15 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"","icon":"","payload":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":450,"y":1760,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","e92ee9dc.cba3d"]]},{"id":"8a9fa56.9977958","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"5\",\"payload\":\"5\",\"expression\":\"0 */5 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":420,"y":1800,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"e32937d2.229988","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"10\",\"payload\":\"10\",\"expression\":\"0 */10 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":420,"y":1840,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"2f66691.0f60316","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"15\",\"payload\":\"15\",\"expression\":\"0 */15 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":420,"y":1880,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"485e4bd9.cf8254","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"30\",\"payload\":\"30\",\"expression\":\"0 */30 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":420,"y":1920,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"8b470c04.d69c68","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"H\",\"payload\":\"H\",\"expression\":\"0 0 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":420,"y":1960,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"fc5220a.fbca1e","type":"function","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","func":"let A = \"lime\";\nlet B = \"green\";\n\nif (msg.payload == \"5\")\n{\n //\n msg1 = {\"msg.background\":A};\n msg2 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"10\")\n{\n //\n msg1 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"msg.background\":A};\n msg3 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"15\")\n{\n //\n msg1 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"msg.background\":A};\n msg4 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"30\")\n{\n //\n msg1 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"msg.background\":A};\n msg5 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"H\")\n{\n //\n msg1 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"msg.background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"msg.background\":A};\n}\nreturn [msg1,msg2,msg3,msg4,msg5];\n","outputs":5,"noerr":0,"x":90,"y":1880,"wires":[["5936f564.5817b4"],["4c6c0987.03a4a8"],["2ce08563.4625a2"],["9ee5daf5.3357a8"],["f26321bb.af4fa8"]]},{"id":"bbfbe762.446ac8","type":"link out","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","links":["b0614db5.48821"],"x":615,"y":1800,"wires":[]},{"id":"b0614db5.48821","type":"link in","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","links":["bbfbe762.446ac8"],"x":75,"y":1800,"wires":[["fc5220a.fbca1e"]]},{"id":"e92ee9dc.cba3d","type":"debug","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"false","x":670,"y":1760,"wires":[]},{"id":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","type":"ui_group","name":"Group 2","tab":"961307de.db94a8","order":2,"disp":true,"width":6},{"id":"961307de.db94a8","type":"ui_tab","z":"","name":"Real World Control","icon":"public","order":16,"disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

I need to know how to add a payload to the STOP button so I can detect if it has been pressed.

Please don't be upset if it seems I don't like your reply. I asked the question but kept the nose to the grind stone after that and so this is where we are at.

I'll look over it and see what I can get form it.

Oh, the `function` node.

I goofed and forgot to declare the `msg1` `msg2` `msg3` `msg4` and `msg5`.  
Lines now added.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 09:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/4 "2019-10-23T09:36:47Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> I'm not quite getting why the 15m is different, but I'll let that one go to the keeper.

typo (i.m not perfect 😛

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> I need to know how to add a payload to the STOP button so I can detect if it has been pressed.

If you mean you want feedback from CRONPLUS to know if the item IS actually stopped then you can send 2 commands in an array from the button

- command 1 = pause the timer
- command 2 = get status of the timer

```auto
[
    {
        "command": "pause",
        "name": "5m"
    },
    {
        "command": "status",
        "name": "5m"
    }
]

```

and you'll get back ...

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/8/8fbfaaf7d83bfde75af7604c677566750d65dadb.png)

```auto
[{"id":"f71057ce.e6e458","type":"cronplus","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","outputField":"payload","timeZone":"","options":[{"topic":"5m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/5 * * * *"},{"topic":"10m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/10 * * * *"},{"topic":"15m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/15 * * * *"},{"topic":"30m","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0/30 * * * *"},{"topic":"1h","payload":"true","type":"bool","expression":"0 0 * * * *"}],"x":400,"y":160,"wires":[["aec9c629.a3b0f8"]]},{"id":"aec9c629.a3b0f8","type":"switch","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","property":"topic","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"eq","v":"5m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"10m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"15m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"30m","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"1h","vt":"str"},{"t":"else"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":6,"x":630,"y":160,"wires":[["a14869a7.6f3678"],["afdf1e10.44b2a"],["fce53e2c.844cc"],["ab4b1ff1.36e1c"],["37a62ec0.d8a392"],["e6853a86.fed508"]]},{"id":"a14869a7.6f3678","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 5 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":80,"wires":[]},{"id":"afdf1e10.44b2a","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 10 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":120,"wires":[]},{"id":"fce53e2c.844cc","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 15 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":160,"wires":[]},{"id":"ab4b1ff1.36e1c","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 30 mins","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":200,"wires":[]},{"id":"37a62ec0.d8a392","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"do stuff every 1 hour","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":880,"y":240,"wires":[]},{"id":"be140172.18f3e","type":"ui_button","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","group":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","order":6,"width":0,"height":0,"passthru":false,"label":"Pause 5m timer","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"","icon":"","payload":"[{\"command\":\"pause\",\"name\":\"5m\"},{\"command\":\"status\",\"name\":\"5m\"}]","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":400,"y":60,"wires":[["f71057ce.e6e458"]]},{"id":"aecb1219.62684","type":"ui_button","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"","group":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","order":6,"width":0,"height":0,"passthru":false,"label":"Resume 5m timer","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"","icon":"","payload":"[{\"command\":\"start\",\"name\":\"5m\"},{\"command\":\"status\",\"name\":\"5m\"}]","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":390,"y":100,"wires":[["f71057ce.e6e458"]]},{"id":"e6853a86.fed508","type":"debug","z":"2295c081.bedb1","name":"Other stuff","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":850,"y":280,"wires":[]},{"id":"ee7a28ba.02a0c8","type":"ui_group","z":"","name":"Default","tab":"afa587ca.3101f8","disp":true,"width":"6","collapse":false},{"id":"afa587ca.3101f8","type":"ui_tab","z":"","name":"CRON STUFF","icon":"dashboard","disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

The input/output and control of the **cron-plus** node is pretty decent.  
I'm gonna add a tag line to this node...  
"Limited only by your imagination" 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 09:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/5 "2019-10-23T09:41:33Z")

</div>

> [@Steve-Mcl](#):
>
> The input/output and control of the **cron-plus** node is pretty decent.  
> I'm gonna add a tag line to this node...

Oh, it is. I can't read.

If you have looked at my flow, you can see how I am getting the _state of things_. I am sending the commands from the buttons back into the `function` node and parsing the message there.

The next thing that has thrown me is the message I am sending.

`{"command":"add","name":"5","payload":"5","expression":"0 */5 * * * * *"}`

Ok, I'm stuck.

To me, if I receive that there are these parts:

- command
- name
- payload
- expression.

So, why is it that in the function node I can't see (or am not seeing) a `msg.payload`?

What I posted there (the _code_/_output_) is from the `debug` node before going into the `function` node.

I've tried adding a `JSON` node. No luck.

So I'm confused to what is going on with that part.

I just thought of a _cheat_:  
Send the message directly from the button back to the `function` node.  
That may work.

But if you could help with the question all the same it would be appreciated.

I also fixed the problem with the message construction in the `function` node.

`msg = {"background":A};`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/6 "2019-10-23T10:08:32Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> So, why is it that in the function node I can't see (or am not seeing) a `msg.payload` ?

The only problem I seen was you didnt declare msg1~msg5 otherwise I do see `command:add`

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/3/34c9c97974a0ff7d4a94943084885420da267553.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/7 "2019-10-23T10:11:03Z")

</div>

Have you looked at what is being sent into the `function` node by adding a `debug` node (displaying the complete msg object) to the `link-in` node?

It also looks like you have some errors in the function node -

```auto
"ReferenceError: msg1 is not defined (line 49, col 9)"

```

NOTE: Your `stop` button has a label of '15 MINUTE' so you display 2 '15 MINUTE' buttons.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/8 "2019-10-23T10:20:37Z")

</div>

Ok. Catch up.

Yes, I did/do have a `debug` node before the `function` node.

I'll get back to that.

This is the (now) flow.

Important parts only - of course.

```auto
[{"id":"226c024e.26a37e","type":"cronplus","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"Simple every 15 minutes","outputField":"payload","timeZone":"","options":[{"topic":"hourly","payload":"","type":"date","expression":"0 */15 * * * * *"}],"x":870,"y":1880,"wires":[["77f51755.886018","4b6f2fc4.f4875"]]},{"id":"f26321bb.af4fa8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"Hourly","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":6,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"Hourly","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"H","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":400,"y":1960,"wires":[["8b470c04.d69c68","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"9ee5daf5.3357a8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"30 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":5,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"30 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"30","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":410,"y":1920,"wires":[["485e4bd9.cf8254","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"2ce08563.4625a2","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"15 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":4,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"15 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"15","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":410,"y":1880,"wires":[["2f66691.0f60316","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"4c6c0987.03a4a8","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"10 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":3,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"10 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"10","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":410,"y":1840,"wires":[["e32937d2.229988","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"5936f564.5817b4","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"5 minute","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":2,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"5 minute","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"5","payloadType":"str","topic":"","x":410,"y":1800,"wires":[["8a9fa56.9977958","bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"d1c397f6.517be","type":"ui_button","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"STOP","group":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","order":1,"width":"3","height":"1","passthru":false,"label":"STOP","tooltip":"","color":"","bgcolor":"{{msg.background}}","icon":"","payload":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","payloadType":"json","topic":"","x":360,"y":1650,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e","ea1c8e56.d96a18"]]},{"id":"8a9fa56.9977958","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"5\",\"payload\":\"5\",\"expression\":\"0 */5 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":580,"y":1800,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e"]]},{"id":"e32937d2.229988","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"10\",\"payload\":\"10\",\"expression\":\"0 */10 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":580,"y":1840,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e"]]},{"id":"2f66691.0f60316","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"15\",\"payload\":\"15\",\"expression\":\"0 */15 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":580,"y":1880,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e"]]},{"id":"485e4bd9.cf8254","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"30\",\"payload\":\"30\",\"expression\":\"0 */30 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":580,"y":1920,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e"]]},{"id":"8b470c04.d69c68","type":"trigger","z":"81be69fa.79ac","op1":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","op2":"{\"command\":\"add\",\"name\":\"H\",\"payload\":\"H\",\"expression\":\"0 0 * * * * *\"}","op1type":"json","op2type":"json","duration":"250","extend":false,"units":"ms","reset":"","bytopic":"all","name":"","x":580,"y":1960,"wires":[["226c024e.26a37e"]]},{"id":"fc5220a.fbca1e","type":"function","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","func":"let A = \"lime\";\nlet B = \"green\";\n\nlet msg1 = {};\nlet msg2 = {};\nlet msg3 = {};\nlet msg4 = {};\nlet msg5 = {};\nlet msg6 = {};\n\nnode.warn(msg.payload);\n\nif (msg.payload == \"5\")\n{\n //\n// node.warn(\"5 minute\");\n msg1 = {\"background\":A};\n msg2 = {\"background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"background\":B};\n msg6 = {\"background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"10\")\n{\n //\n// node.warn(\"10 minute\");\n msg1 = {\"background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"background\":A};\n msg3 = {\"background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"background\":B};\n msg6 = {\"background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"15\")\n{\n //\n// node.warn(\"15 minute\");\n msg1 = {\"background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"background\":A};\n msg4 = {\"background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"background\":B};\n msg6 = {\"background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"30\")\n{\n //\n// node.warn(\"30 minute\");\n msg1 = {\"background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"background\":A};\n msg5 = {\"background\":B};\n msg6 = {\"background\":B};\n} else\nif (msg.payload == \"H\")\n{\n //\n// node.warn(\"60 minute\");\n msg1 = {\"background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"background\":A};\n msg6 = {\"background\":B};\n}\nelse\nif (msg.payload == \"STOP\")\n{\n msg1 = {\"background\":B};\n msg2 = {\"background\":B};\n msg3 = {\"background\":B};\n msg4 = {\"background\":B};\n msg5 = {\"background\":B};\n msg6 = {\"background\":A};\n}\nreturn [msg1,msg2,msg3,msg4,msg5];\n","outputs":6,"noerr":0,"x":250,"y":1880,"wires":[["5936f564.5817b4"],["4c6c0987.03a4a8"],["2ce08563.4625a2"],["9ee5daf5.3357a8"],["f26321bb.af4fa8"],["d1c397f6.517be"]]},{"id":"bbfbe762.446ac8","type":"link out","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","links":["b0614db5.48821"],"x":705,"y":1690,"wires":[]},{"id":"b0614db5.48821","type":"link in","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","links":["bbfbe762.446ac8"],"x":135,"y":1880,"wires":[["ff0180a8.3d001","fc5220a.fbca1e"]]},{"id":"ff0180a8.3d001","type":"debug","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","active":false,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"false","x":200,"y":1800,"wires":[]},{"id":"ea1c8e56.d96a18","type":"change","z":"81be69fa.79ac","name":"","rules":[{"t":"set","p":"payload","pt":"msg","to":"STOP","tot":"str"}],"action":"","property":"","from":"","to":"","reg":false,"x":540,"y":1650,"wires":[["bbfbe762.446ac8"]]},{"id":"a7e7bb4d.24e728","type":"ui_group","name":"Group 2","tab":"961307de.db94a8","order":2,"disp":true,"width":6},{"id":"961307de.db94a8","type":"ui_tab","z":"","name":"Real World Control","icon":"public","order":16,"disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

The buttons _create_ a signal which I now use (via the _cheat_ method I mentioned a couple of posts back) and that is sent to the `function` node for parsing.

I also said I fixed the `msg1` declaration.  
(No problems.)

So back to the `debug` part.  
The `button` sent an input to the `trigger` node which sent a `wipe all` then shortly there after sends a command to create a timer event.  
The payload was specified:  
(example:)  
`{"command":"add","name":"5","payload":"5","expression":"0 */5 * * * * *"}`

I copied that from the `debug` node just before the `function` node's input.  
I stated what I thought were the parts of the message.

Maybe that was tripped up by the fact I hadn't declared `msg1` `msg2` `msg3` `msg4` at that time.

Sorry. Really.

So with the latest bit of the flow..... (Sorry) Could you load it and just check it over.

As far as I can see it seems to be working.

I know I could use the `pause` and `start` commands.

Quickie: What's the difference between `stop` and `pause`?  
Anyway.

How's what I posted looking?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/9 "2019-10-23T10:22:39Z")

</div>

> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> Quickie: What's the difference between `stop` and `pause` ?

Documentation...  
 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/b/b047e213c62e7cf20b8f071c16cfd70475bb7143.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/3/32e8b7d24a04e3523c0fd83ef4d0de67d04bc437.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/10 "2019-10-23T10:26:13Z")

</div>

Don't fret Steve. It is my bad luck rubbing off on you. I'm not a good person for that sort of stuff.

Ok. Thanks.

That helps. As I am sending the _schedules_ with the button presses, I guess it is a bit academic.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/11 "2019-10-23T10:54:47Z")

</div>

@Trying_to_learn why don't you connect an `inject` node - with `{"command": "remove-all"}` in the payload - to the `cron-plus` node and add a `debug` node (set to display the complete msg object) to the output of the `cron-plus` so you can see what effect each of your buttons/changes are doing....

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Trying\_to\_learn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/trying_to_learn/32/28400_2.png) [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)\
**Post date:** [23 October 2019 10:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/cron-plus-help-please/17039/12 "2019-10-23T10:59:33Z")

</div>

Well, this is what I believe you mean:

```auto
[{"id":"8ee64bc1.0de4e8","type":"inject","z":"b86527b7.8c79f","name":"remove-all","topic":"","payload":"{\"command\": \"remove-all\"}","payloadType":"json","repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"x":110,"y":2130,"wires":[["e3340a17.f0727","d0f5be35.df06d"]]},{"id":"d0f5be35.df06d","type":"debug","z":"b86527b7.8c79f","name":"","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"true","targetType":"full","x":280,"y":2130,"wires":[]},{"id":"e3340a17.f0727","type":"cronplus","z":"b86527b7.8c79f","name":"","outputField":"payload","timeZone":"","options":[],"x":290,"y":2180,"wires":[["7b4d22cd.a6b894"]]}]

```

This is what I see:

`{"_msgid":"a9428070.ca2c2","topic":"","payload":{"command":"remove-all"}}`

The payload is an "object".  
So I can't parse that _structure_ in the `function` node if it is only looking at `msg.payload`.

So that's why I _cheated_ and took the output of the `button` rather than what was going into the `cron+` node.