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] ...
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MadTinker | "@shantler I'm probably missing something, but the battery shown in the link in the components list doesn't look like the battery in the pictures ab..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
gretchengehrke | "@carohowe, Agreed! I read a paper a while ago (which I can't seem to find now) that demonstrated higher instances of asthma in neighborhoods with f..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
carohowe | "@pera THANK YOU! That would be ideal! (Also, I'd LOVE to join the DC Women and Bicycles forum anyway!) I would love for you to share the informatio..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
carohowe | "Thanks @gretchengehrke -- that's definitely what we're looking into! So many of DC's food deserts and low-income areas are also by far the hottest,..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
MadTinker | "@shantler @rockets FWIW- came home today with a mailbox literally full of 'stuff'. Also, many thanks for the loan. I have to track down my Riffle o..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
gretchengehrke | "Hi @carohowe, this sounds like an interesting project! In addition to broadly looking at the impacts of greenspaces, I wonder if it would be intere..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
Pera | "Hi Caroline! I could post this on the DC Women and Bicycles forum and a couple other bike groups I'm a part of. I think some of the cyclists I know..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "The Mini Pearl Logger in the compost pile stopped logging today when the battery voltage dropped too low. Four AAA eneloops ran the logger for 13.5..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Wig Zamore posted this on the main publiclaboratory list: Hi Jeff and Everyone - Two papers you may want to look at, both open access. One by S..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
carohowe | "Thanks! Will do! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Also, Caroline, it might be worth posting a second question (linking to this one maybe) specifically seeking collaborators in the DC area -- i can ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi, Caroline!! I agree with Chris - though if you're looking to download data (either as you go or once you're done) to a phone easily, you might ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "A data logger based on an Arduino microcontroller is well suited to the task of recording temperature every few seconds. The simplest Arduino combi..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
rockets | "yes, that's better than mines " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "(sorry, i meant i see data on the link at Sparkfun) " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "For starters, i see some data; was it working at one point and then stopped? And if so, (apologies for a dumb question) what were the things that ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Great, we have a few options. We could try to connect your Pi up for remote access instead of relaying back and forth, or you could send me your co..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
efuhrm | "Yes, I'm using RaspberryPi to run openpipekit, and my device is connected to the internet. " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi! sorry I missed this -- are you using a Raspberry Pi to run OpenPipeKit? If so, are you sure it's well connected to the internet? There could b..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hi, @rockets -- maybe refining the title could be helpful here; I hope you don't mind but as I'm an admin, I changed it to How accurate are KnowFlo..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
rockets | "The probe accurate is list below: 1 Gravity: Analog Electrical Conductivity Sensor / Meter For Arduino Operating Voltage: +5.00 V PCB Size: 45 × 32..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hey @abdul - I think I found the answer (thanks to @pdhixenbaugh) -- in the waterquality list archives (a post by @mathew): https://groups.google...." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "I checked on the Mini Pearl logger in the compost pile today and swapped SD cards. It was still logging after 7.5 days, so that's a new record. I n..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
MadTinker | "@liz Sounds great. I think there are three parts and I'll probably ask for advice on posting as things develop: the build, the deployment, and the ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago |