Running an MT4 EA on a custom timeframe | Forex Factory

Options

Permalinks
Print Thread

Similar Threads

Timeframe inside current timeframe - is that possible? 2 replies

Seeing higher timeframe indicators on lower timeframe 4 replies

Custom Timeframe On Mt4 12 replies

Custom indicator to switch timeframe and add indicator 3 replies

Custom timeframe 3 replies

Attachments: Running an MT4 EA on a custom timeframe
Exit Attachments

Running an MT4 EA on a custom timeframe

  • #1
  • First Post: Edited 4:28pm Jul 31, 2007 1:51pm | Edited 4:28pm
Hi

i want to run my EA on a custom timeframe chart of 8 hours, by using it in combination with the period_convertor_opt indicator.

I have attached the period_convertor_opt indicator to my 1 hour chart, and want to run my EA on 8 hour charts.
I have set the period_convertor_opt indicator multiplier to 8.
I have opened my H8 offline chart.
The trouble is, i now do not have the option within the tester window of setting the period to H8. I am presented with the default M1, M5, M15, H1, H4, & DAILY timeframe periods.

Is it possible to run an EA/backtest/optimise an EA on a custom timeframe?

If so, how?

Many thanks.
  • #2
  • Aug 1, 2007 4:20am Aug 1, 2007 4:20am
Any ideas guys?

Thanks.
  • #3
  • Dec 21, 2008 7:59pm Dec 21, 2008 7:59pm
Jimbil - did you ever get an answer on how to do this?
If so, could you please share?
Thanks!
  • #4
  • Dec 23, 2008 1:59am Dec 23, 2008 1:59am
Quoting mikep
Jimbil - did you ever get an answer on how to do this?
If so, could you please share?
Thanks!
I came to the conclusion that it was not really possible in mt4, or not possible very easily. I abandonned the idea as an associate told me that he had tested his similar EA on the custom timeframes in ninjatrader, and it was not as profitable as on the standard timeframes for some reason. i no longer use the EA anyway.
  • #5
  • Dec 23, 2008 5:45pm Dec 23, 2008 5:45pm
You could do backtesting on this if you had tick-by-tick data in something like CSV. Then, you would process the data on your own and make the trading actions that way.
  • #6
  • Dec 24, 2008 8:12am Dec 24, 2008 8:12am
I'm mainly a scalper and I enter trades with info from a live candle. I have built signal indicators that warn me of a potential trade but often once I react to the signal, I'm already behind by 10 pips or so. I'd like to use the ea to enter the trade and then I monitor it myself to look elements my indi can't detect - abcd, gann waves, candle patterns, etc.

I think that custom TFs can provide an extra edge and hope someone has the technical expertise to show us how it's done...
  • #7
  • Jan 25, 2009 8:32pm Jan 25, 2009 8:32pm
Quoting mikep
I'm mainly a scalper and I enter trades with info from a live candle. I have built signal indicators that warn me of a potential trade but often once I react to the signal, I'm already behind by 10 pips or so. I'd like to use the ea to enter the trade and then I monitor it myself to look elements my indi can't detect - abcd, gann waves, candle patterns, etc.

I think that custom TFs can provide an extra edge and hope someone has the technical expertise to show us how it's done...
I am experiencing the same thing, I would like to be able to run an EA on a custom timeframe and so far have been unable to do so. I only want to use the EA to enter the trade while I am monitoring the chart, I do not need or want it to work unattended. I am not concerned about backtesting, etc., I just want to find a way to make the EA work. I have an EA that works properly for this purpose on the standard TF's but it does not enter trades on the custom TF. I did a lot of searching on FF and other forums and google with no good answer. I thought I saw another EA available somewhere that worked on offline charts, so I do think it is possible to do this. If anyone knows a solution to this it would be greatly appreciated.
  • #8
  • Jan 25, 2009 10:16pm Jan 25, 2009 10:16pm
I could not get EAs to run on a non-server chart, but scripts and indicators do work just fine. Place the logic in an indicator. Place the order entry code in a script (or have it all here, but you lose the tick event) and have the indicator send the order command to the script via a global variable.
  • #9
  • Jan 24, 2010 10:44pm Jan 24, 2010 10:44pm
I'm attempting to create an indicator much like FerruFX's (attached) but I'm using only custom indicators and I want to include custom time frames as well.

I've already created the custom time frames and they're running on offline charts with periodconverter.mq4. When I attempt to reference XXXXXX120.hst, which exists for my H2 charts, PERIOD_H2 isn't recognized.

How can I include the logic inside the indicator itself for something like this? Would I have to integrate periodconverter.mq4 into the new indicator?

Has anyone ever done anything like this? If so, could you point me in the right.... or any... direction??


Thanks so much....
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 ferrufx_multi_info.mq4   38 KB | 793 downloads
  • #10
  • Last Post: Apr 26, 2010 4:50am Apr 26, 2010 4:50am
Quoting jimbil
Hi

i want to run my EA on a custom timeframe chart of 8 hours, by using it in combination with the period_convertor_opt indicator.

I have attached the period_convertor_opt indicator to my 1 hour chart, and want to run my EA on 8 hour charts.
I have set the period_convertor_opt indicator multiplier to 8.
I have opened my H8 offline chart.
The trouble is, i now do not have the option within the tester window of setting the period to H8. I am presented with the default M1, M5, M15, H1, H4, & DAILY timeframe periods.

Is it possible to...
Hi,

This is what I do when using custom timeframes e.g. H2:

1.
In the EA I use functions like iMA(), iClose(), etc. so that they will include a parameter for timeframe where I use 120 (for H2). one can use 180 for H3, 480 for H8 and so on.

2.
Then, I attach the EA to an H1 chart. yet, it should pick up signals from the custom timeframe as that is the one used in writing the EA.

3.
Similarly, while backtesting I use the timeframe H1 and select the tick option in the modelling. here again, since the custom timeframe parameter is written in the EA, it backtests on the custom timeframe signals. you can go through the backtest reports and confirm whether entries, exits, stoploss and takeprofit updates are as per desired rules in your EA.

Hope this helps.

Warning:
Please test this approach thoroughly and satisfy yourself that it works before using it and risking money on your live account.

cheers.
0 traders viewing now