# Help combining string messages

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [9 September 2024 21:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824 "2024-09-09T21:15:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LionTurtle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a9adbd/32.png) [@LionTurtle](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/LionTurtle)\
**Post date:** [9 September 2024 21:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/1 "2024-09-09T21:15:07Z")

</div>

I use node-red to format and send text messages to my phone (via twilio) about the status on my house and HA.

As I am paying per text message I would like to combine some of the text messages using the join node. Goal would be that when a message is received it sits in the join queue for 20 seconds. If no other message is received then the join received a complete command and the message continues on to the rest of the chain and out to twilio. If a message is received within the 20 seconds, the message is joined using /n and then the timer is reset to wait another 20 seconds. (I.E. the message block is only forwarded on if there is a 20 second period of no text messages).

Any thoughts on how to do this cleanly?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![E1cid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/e1cid/32/77971_2.png) [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)\
**Post date:** [9 September 2024 21:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/2 "2024-09-09T21:27:01Z")

</div>

Hi and welcome.

Use a trigger node set to send nothing and 20 seconds later send boolean true, Also set it to extend delay if new message arrives. After the trigger move the boolean to msg.complete. Then join as normal but also connect a wire to the trigger node. If no message is received for 20 seconds the trigger will initiate the msg.complete.

Just for info, you can use telrgram or pushover for this rather than text messages, with no charge.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LionTurtle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a9adbd/32.png) [@LionTurtle](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/LionTurtle)\
**Post date:** [9 September 2024 23:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/3 "2024-09-09T23:56:02Z")

</div>

Well - you rock! That solution worked perfectly! Also I am always open to "extra info" thanks for the tip on pushover and telegram. I looked them up. Not sure they work for me as I am not looking to get alerts or notifications to an app but instead looking to get actual text messages to my phone number. Let me know if I misunderstood those two programs!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![E1cid](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/e1cid/32/77971_2.png) [@E1cid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/E1cid)\
**Post date:** [10 September 2024 05:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/4 "2024-09-10T05:38:58Z")

</div>

If you have them installed on your phone what is the difference, you still receive a notification on your phone.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![marcus-j-davies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/marcus-j-davies/32/103435_2.png) [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Post date:** [10 September 2024 06:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/5 "2024-09-10T06:25:35Z")

</div>

> [@LionTurtle](#):
>
> looking to get actual text messages to my phone number. Let me know if I misunderstood those two programs!

Hi @LionTurtle

Pushover - its a text message in the visual sense - just with a few more bells.  
Pushover is a **one-time** cost of $5

[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/a/eadc2e5a92aeae6ad41baef39c650c900f27221b.jpeg) ](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/a/eadc2e5a92aeae6ad41baef39c650c900f27221b.jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [24 September 2024 06:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/help-combining-string-messages/90824/6 "2024-09-24T06:26:35Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.