time range for a timer circuit

Projects Programming
1

I'm using a DS3231 RTC module together with a relay to switch an AC pump on and off during certain time periods. My code looks like this at this moment

#include <DS3231.h>
DS3231 rtc(SDA, SCL);
Time t;
#define relay 2

// this is where the on and off time is set
int onHour = 5;
int onMin = 0;
int onSec = 0;
int offHour = 22;
int offMin = 0;
int offSec = 0;

void setup() {
  rtc.begin();
  pinMode(relay, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(relay, LOW);
}

void loop() {
  int relayState = LOW;
  rtc.getTime()
  if (t.hour == onHour && t.min = onMin && t.sec == onSec){
    relayState = HIGH;
  } if (t.hour == offHour && t.min == offMin && t.sec == offSec){
    relayState = LOW;
  } else {
    relayState = relayState;
  }
  digitalWrite(relay, relayState);
}

I thought this would work, but it didn't. After re-reading my code I noticed that the relay can only turn HIGH when it's exactly at the specified "on" time. If the current time is at, for example, 09:00 when the sketch is uploaded, it's not specified as the "on" time when it is actually at that range.

How do I set a "time range" between the "on" time and the "off" time, for example: on at 05:00 to 21:59 then off at 22:00 to 04:59?

tl;dr how do I program a time range?

2

Assuming you want to do this daily, compute the start and stop time of each range in minutes from midnight. Compute the current time in minutes from midnight. If the current time falls within one of the ranges, do to associated action.

Because your “off” range spans midnight, compute two “off ranges”: 22:00-23:59 and 00:00-04:59.