Data Logging
data-logging

Data loggers can help to record data from a sensor over time -- often over days or weeks, or even months. There are a variety of data loggers available, both commercial and open source. Each entry from a logger -- stored on, for example, a memory card -- may have a timestamp and some data loggers can record location from a GPS as well. Data loggers can be [paired with specific sensors](/wiki/water-sensors), and an [enclosure](/wiki/sensor-enclosures), as part of a test. ## Design constraints What are we trying to do that existing commercial data loggers don't do, or don't do well enough? We're looking for designs that optimize: * low cost (i.e. <$100) * easy to use * easy to build or buy * weatherproof (possibly) * waterproof (possibly) * Arduino-compatible (so that they're compatible with the huge [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) ecosystem) ## Options Most of the below options are #arduino based, and all are open source: [wikis:datalogger] [notes:datalogger-option] Edit the [full spreadsheet here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zBcLpN4PZIATLh6aDR7mwCoejWryLYYm6cJD38MqT58/edit) (by @cfastie) **** ## Questions [questions:data-logging] ## Activities We're hoping to collect a set of activities you could do with several different data loggers here, such as an example "field test," so please add help us by adding activities which can be performed with different data loggers: [activities:data-logging] **** ## Power How do you keep a data logger going in the field? Solar, big batteries, even run an extension cable out? We're developing resources on powering your data-loggers here. ## Power Questions [questions:data-logging-power] ## Activities [activities:data-logging-power] **** ## Waterproof enclosures The #riffle project -- and others -- have explored a lot of ways to make cheap waterproof enclosures for data loggers, but where wires and sensors can still stick out. Here are a some notes and prototypes under the tag #data-logger-enclosures. You can also visit the page on [sensor enclosures here](https://publiclab.org/wiki/sensor-enclosures) [notes:data-logger-enclosures] ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
jimEW "I know this is more than 6 years old but it fit what I needed to accomplish so I ordered all the pieces and parts. I have struggled with the code a..." | Read more » 4 months ago
ew4cm "Hi. I had the same problem with sd-card. My PCB board was wrong. " | Read more » over 1 year ago
infowavex9 "It is the technology of automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status data from water meters. Wavex coin Wavex is a US-based Coin th..." | Read more » almost 2 years ago
warren "Also want to point at "telling a data story" by @renee and @bhamster: https://publiclab.org/notes/bhamster/12-02-2021/create-a-data-story-to-commu..." | Read more » about 2 years ago
StroudCenterScott "Great question, @bhamster. You can send data to the Monitor My Watershed data sharing portal from any Arduino-framework device. Here is a simple, l..." | Read more » about 2 years ago
bhamster "Thanks so much for sharing this @StroudCenterScott! I had heard about the Mayfly data logger from someone who was using it to monitor a stormwater ..." | Read more » about 2 years ago
mauriceatkinson "Hi I would love to build a system just like this but I am concerned that the github libraries are over 4 years old and look like they are not manin..." | Read more » over 2 years ago
sarasage "I want to update this post to say that since I posted this question, Esri has developed an all-in-one app called, ArcGIS Field Map. It seems to be..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
sarasage "@cfastie, Thank you so much for this helpful response. " | Read more » almost 3 years ago
cfastie "Hi Sara, Just about any handheld GPS device (e.g., Garmin) or any GPS app for a phone (I use GeoTracker) will record a track. The GPS coordinates ..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
sarasage "@seankmcginnis Yes, you are correct that our ideal future state would be a single device. To answer your questions, we are using iOS devices and w..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
seankmcginnis "Thank you @sarasage - that helps. The AQ data is being captured in your data logger disconnected from the GPS coordinates being captured in GPSKit...." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
Ag8n "Yes,I see what you mean. Got a weird approach for the problem. First, please become a little familiar with rtlsdr dongles by going to rtl-sdr.com...." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
sarasage "@seankmcginnis @Ag8n I spent some time combing through the instrument manuals just now to answer your questions. Besides setting the instruments in..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
Ag8n "Just going down that road a little bit further. What distance do you need to cover and at what data rate? There are wireless bands on 900mhz IS..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
seankmcginnis "@sarasage To make sure I am understanding your current configuration - You have handheld air quality monitors that log the results on the data logg..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
dp380035 "Just a questions, How do I program in order for me to get the GPS to work with Arduino Nano or Arduino Pro Mini. I had some trouble getting to wor..." | Read more » about 3 years ago
WendyJospeh "Great project " | Read more » over 3 years ago
komugi "Were you ever able to see how the TDS data given by the sensor compared to the actual TDS level of your water? " | Read more » over 3 years ago
nestocean85 "upcoming movies https://www.bollywoodcat.com/upcoming-bollywood-movies-list-calendar-release-date/ latest bollywood movies https://www.bollywoodcat..." | Read more » almost 4 years ago
cfastie "It is likely that the library that you do not want to use will provide the functionality that you are seeking. Adding these lines (and installing ..." | Read more » almost 4 years ago
jaspal23 "Hi i followed your code and didn't get any result. it displays only 0.00 values, no data showing. i tried only to get temperature and build simple ..." | Read more » almost 4 years ago
Sholihul "Where for buy container to turbidity? " | Read more » about 4 years ago
sarasage "Thank you so much for this detailed response! " | Read more » about 4 years ago