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⏰ Trading Hours & Filters

Time Controls & Entry Filters​

BananaEA provides powerful filtering mechanisms to control when trades are opened and what market conditions qualify for entry.

Trading Hours Control​

Dual Trading Session System (v4.x.x)​

NEW: BananaEA now supports two independent trading sessions for maximum flexibility.

⚡ Key Benefits:

  • ✅ Trade multiple optimal time windows per day
  • ✅ Combine European morning + US afternoon sessions
  • ✅ Avoid slow midday periods automatically
  • ✅ Minute-level precision for exact session timing
  • ✅ Enable/disable each session independently

Master Time Window Control​

UseTimeWindow​

What it does: Master switch for all time-based trading restrictions.

Configuration:

  • Default: true (time restrictions enabled)
  • Options:
    • true — Respect Session 1 and Session 2 time windows
    • false — 24/7 trading (ignore all session settings)

When to disable (false):

  • 24/7 crypto trading
  • Automated testing without time restrictions
  • Indices that trade around the clock

Session 1 Settings​

Typical use: European morning session, London open, primary trading window

UseSession1​

What it does: Enable/disable first trading session.

Configuration:

  • Default: true (Session 1 enabled)
  • Options:
    • true — Session 1 active (respects start/end times)
    • false — Session 1 disabled (no trading in this window)

Session1_StartHour & Session1_StartMinute​

What it does: Exact time when Session 1 begins.

Configuration:

  • Format: 24-hour format
  • Hour range: 0–23
  • Minute range: 0–59
  • Default: 10:00 (10 AM)
  • Example: Session1_StartHour = 10, Session1_StartMinute = 0 → 10:00 AM

Session1_EndHour & Session1_EndMinute​

What it does: Exact time when Session 1 ends.

Configuration:

  • Format: 24-hour format
  • Hour range: 0–23
  • Minute range: 0–59
  • Default: 13:00 (1 PM)
  • Example: Session1_EndHour = 13, Session1_EndMinute = 0 → 1:00 PM

Session 1 Example:

UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 10
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 13
Session1_EndMinute = 0

10:00 AM  → Session 1 starts
10:30 AM  → Signal generated → Trade opened ✅
12:45 PM  → Signal generated → Trade opened ✅
1:00 PM   → Session 1 ends
1:15 PM   → Signal generated → Trade ignored ❌

Session 2 Settings​

Typical use: US afternoon session, New York open, secondary trading window

UseSession2​

What it does: Enable/disable second trading session.

Configuration:

  • Default: true (Session 2 enabled)
  • Options:
    • true — Session 2 active (respects start/end times)
    • false — Session 2 disabled (no trading in this window)

Session2_StartHour & Session2_StartMinute​

What it does: Exact time when Session 2 begins.

Configuration:

  • Format: 24-hour format
  • Hour range: 0–23
  • Minute range: 0–59
  • Default: 16:15 (4:15 PM)
  • Example: Session2_StartHour = 16, Session2_StartMinute = 15 → 4:15 PM

Session2_EndHour & Session2_EndMinute​

What it does: Exact time when Session 2 ends.

Configuration:

  • Format: 24-hour format
  • Hour range: 0–23
  • Minute range: 0–59
  • Default: 17:45 (5:45 PM)
  • Example: Session2_EndHour = 17, Session2_EndMinute = 45 → 5:45 PM

Session 2 Example:

UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 16
Session2_StartMinute = 15
Session2_EndHour = 17
Session2_EndMinute = 45

4:15 PM   → Session 2 starts
4:30 PM   → Signal generated → Trade opened ✅
5:30 PM   → Signal generated → Trade opened ✅
5:45 PM   → Session 2 ends
6:00 PM   → Signal generated → Trade ignored ❌

Dual Session Combined Example​

European morning + US afternoon:

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: European morning (10:00 - 13:00)
UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 10
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 13
Session1_EndMinute = 0

// Session 2: US afternoon (16:15 - 17:45)
UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 16
Session2_StartMinute = 15
Session2_EndHour = 17
Session2_EndMinute = 45

Daily Timeline:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM   → Session 1 ACTIVE ✅
1:00 PM - 4:15 PM    → Both sessions INACTIVE ❌
4:15 PM - 5:45 PM    → Session 2 ACTIVE ✅
5:45 PM - 10:00 AM   → Both sessions INACTIVE ❌

Open trades continue to be managed 24/7 (SL/TP/BE/Trail)
Only NEW entries are blocked outside session windows

Best Trading Sessions​

Based on 3,777+ DAX signal analysis

Peak performance hours:

  • 10:00 AM — 126 signals (highest activity)
  • 12:00 PM — 114 signals
  • 11:00 AM — 79 signals

European DAX Trading (Peak Hours Strategy)​

Combines highest-activity morning + afternoon windows:

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: European morning peak (10:00 - 13:00)
UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 10
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 13
Session1_EndMinute = 0

// Session 2: US market open impact (16:15 - 17:45)
UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 16
Session2_StartMinute = 15
Session2_EndHour = 17
Session2_EndMinute = 45

Result: Trade only during highest-probability windows
Avoid: Slow midday 13:00-16:00 period

London + New York Sessions (Forex Majors)​

Maximum liquidity windows:

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: London morning (8:00 - 12:00)
UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 8
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 12
Session1_EndMinute = 0

// Session 2: London-NY overlap (14:00 - 17:00)
UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 14
Session2_StartMinute = 0
Session2_EndHour = 17
Session2_EndMinute = 0

Perfect for: EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDCHF

Asian + London Sessions (JPY Pairs)​

Tokyo + London overlap:

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: Tokyo active hours (1:00 - 6:00 GMT)
UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 1
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 6
Session1_EndMinute = 0

// Session 2: London open (8:00 - 11:00 GMT)
UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 8
Session2_StartMinute = 0
Session2_EndHour = 11
Session2_EndMinute = 0

Perfect for: USDJPY, GBPJPY, EURJPY

Single Session Strategies​

European session only (DAX, EURUSD):

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: London open to close
UseSession1 = true
Session1_StartHour = 8
Session1_StartMinute = 0
Session1_EndHour = 16
Session1_EndMinute = 0

// Session 2: Disabled
UseSession2 = false

US session only (NAS100, US30):

UseTimeWindow = true

// Session 1: Disabled
UseSession1 = false

// Session 2: NY trading hours
UseSession2 = true
Session2_StartHour = 14
Session2_StartMinute = 30
Session2_EndHour = 21
Session2_EndMinute = 0

24-hour trading (crypto, round-the-clock indices):

UseTimeWindow = false
// Both sessions ignored - continuous trading

Trade Closure Control​

CloseTradesAtSessionClose​

What it does: Controls whether open trades are force-closed when trading sessions end.

Configuration:

  • Default: false (recommended for swing trading)
  • Options:
    • false — Trades continue after session ends (recommended)
    • true — Force-close all trades at session end (day trading)

How it works with dual sessions:

CloseTradesAtSessionClose = false:
- Trades opened in Session 1 continue through Session 2
- Trades run overnight targeting SL/TP/BE/Trail
- Maximizes possible test outcome on winning trades

CloseTradesAtSessionClose = true:
- All trades closed at Session 1 end (1:00 PM)
- New trades can open in Session 2 (4:15 PM)
- All trades closed at Session 2 end (5:45 PM)
- No overnight exposure

Example scenarios:

Swing trading (CloseTradesAtSessionClose = false) - RECOMMENDED​

Session 1: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Session 2: 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
CloseTradesAtSessionClose = false

12:50 PM - Trade opened in Session 1
1:00 PM  - Session 1 ends (no new entries)
Trade continues running (not closed)
4:15 PM  - Session 2 starts (trade still open)
5:45 PM  - Session 2 ends (trade still open)
Overnight - Trade continues targeting TP
Next day - Trade hits TP → Closed with full profit ✅

Day trading (CloseTradesAtSessionClose = true)​

Session 1: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Session 2: 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
CloseTradesAtSessionClose = true

12:50 PM - Trade opened in Session 1
1:00 PM  - Session 1 ends
1:00 PM  - Trade force-closed at current price (+10 pips)

4:30 PM - New trade opened in Session 2
5:45 PM - Session 2 ends
5:45 PM - Trade force-closed at current price (+8 pips)

Result: No overnight exposure from that position
Perfect for: Prop firm rules, day trading strategies

CancelPendingsAtSessionClose​

What it does: Controls whether pending orders are canceled when trading sessions end.

Configuration:

  • Default: false (pending orders remain active)
  • Options:
    • false — Pending orders remain active after session close
    • true — Cancel all pending orders at session end

Use case:

CancelPendingsAtSessionClose = true

Session 1: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
12:30 PM - Pending BUY order placed
1:00 PM  - Session 1 ends
1:00 PM  - Pending order canceled automatically
4:15 PM  - Session 2 starts (fresh pending orders can be placed)

Perfect for: Ensuring clean session starts without stale pending orders

Moving Average Filter​

Multi-Layered EMA Trend Filter System​

BananaEA uses a 3-tier EMA system for multi-layered trend confirmation.
Each layer can be enabled or disabled independently.

Fast EMA Filter​

Filter_EMA_Fast — Enable/disable fast EMA filter
FastEMA_Value — Fast EMA period

Default: 9 Range: 5–20

Filter_EMA_Fast = true
FastEMA_Value = 9

BUY signals only when price > EMA(9)
SELL signals only when price < EMA(9)

Slow EMA Filter​

Filter_EMA_Slow — Enable/disable slow EMA filter
SlowEMA_Value — Slow EMA period (default: 21)

Filter_EMA_Slow = true
SlowEMA_Value = 21

BUY when price > EMA(21)
SELL when price < EMA(21)

Slowest EMA Filter​

Filter_EMA_SLOWEST — Enable/disable long-term EMA filter
EMA_SLOWEST_Input — Period (default 55)

EMA_SLOWEST_Strict — Require strict EMA hierarchy

EMA_SLOWEST_Strict = true

BUY requires:
1. Price > EMA(9)
2. EMA(9) > EMA(21)
3. EMA(21) > EMA(55)

MA Crossover Filter​

Filter_MA_Crossover — Enable EMA crossover direction filter

Filter_MA_Crossover = true

BUY only after Fast EMA crosses ABOVE Slow EMA
SELL only after Fast EMA crosses BELOW Slow EMA

EMA Filter Presets​

Aggressive​

Filter_EMA_Fast = true
Filter_EMA_Slow = false
Filter_EMA_SLOWEST = false
Filter_MA_Crossover = false
EMA_SLOWEST_Strict = false
Filter_EMA_Fast = true
Filter_EMA_Slow = true
Filter_EMA_SLOWEST = true
Filter_MA_Crossover = true
EMA_SLOWEST_Strict = false

Conservative​

Filter_EMA_Fast = true
Filter_EMA_Slow = true
Filter_EMA_SLOWEST = true
Filter_MA_Crossover = true
EMA_SLOWEST_Strict = true

No Filtering​

Filter_EMA_Fast = false
Filter_EMA_Slow = false
Filter_EMA_SLOWEST = false
Filter_MA_Crossover = false

EMA Filter Pros & Cons​

Benefits

  • ✅ Filters counter-trend trades
  • Can reduce counter-trend entries when the filter matches market behavior
  • ✅ Avoids range-bound whipsaws
  • ✅ Modular — enable any combination

Drawbacks

  • ❌ May miss reversals
  • ❌ Fewer trades overall
  • ❌ Strict mode can be overly selective

Spread Filter​

MaxSpread​

What it does: Maximum spread (in pips) allowed to open trades.

Typical range: 0.5–10.0 pips

MaxSpread = 3.0

Spread = 1.5 → Accepted ✅
Spread = 4.0 → Rejected ❌

Why it matters:

  • Prevents poor execution in high-spread conditions
  • Avoids news-time or low-liquidity entries
Symbol TypeRecommended MaxSpread
Forex Majors2.0–3.0
Forex Minors3.0–5.0
Forex Exotics5.0–10.0
Indices (DAX/NAS)2.0–4.0
Gold (XAUUSD)3.0–5.0

By Trading Style​

  • Scalping: 1.5–2.0
  • Day trading: 2.0–3.0
  • Swing trading: 3.0–5.0

Slippage Control​

Slippage​

Purpose: Maximum slippage (in pips) allowed for order execution.
Default: 2–3 pips Range: 0–10 pips