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 | ||
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MadTinker | "This is great! I'm starting an effort that will involve the parallel build of a simple in situ data logger (e.g. Riffle or maybe Cave Pearl) and a ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "I found that pulling up the three lines usually helps the cards sleep faster. Unfortunately this is completely controlled by the sd controller circ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Thanks Ed, I disabled the LEDs and deployed the Mini Pearl Logger in the compost pile again. The batteries lasted 6.5 days instead of 2.3 days. So..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
MadTinker | "Thanks for the info Chris. I also ran across the KnowFlow that has a lot of pretty good info. They also rely heavily on the DFRobot sensors. Until..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "That sounds like a wonderful "opportunity." It is also a revealing test case for the suitability of DIY environmental loggers to serve their maste..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
stevie | "Responses from the mailing lists: Hi Carol! So excited to work on this at Barnraising! Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the data loggers will ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Carol chipped in on the mailing lists: My first question is, similar to Chris's, what can the data loggers do? Conductivity? Turbidity? pH, dissol..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
EdMallon | "I almost fell over laughing at the name of this post (and am a bit jealous that I did not think of it...) Your logger should be running for much lo..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Okay, now I understand the question. It's really helpful to know what data logger hardware you will have. You will have a Nano Logger Kit. You will..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
stevie | "Hi Chris, thanks a bunch! I'm hoping we can work on developing out an activity of two for people to do in first experimenting with data loggers as ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "These are some really good questions, many of which get at the question of "constraints" -- i.e. what constraints are you designing towards? A spec..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Just wanted to note that @cfastie's been working on the #skypod -- which may fit your needs! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Stevie, it sounds like you are looking for demonstrations of things data loggers can do. That really depends on what logger(s) you have and what se..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Possibly some of the Coqui activities (which were designed for real-time monitoring, not data logging) could be adapted for a data logger? https:/..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "@xose - awesome. And even "having some troubles" is ok to post -- if we break out the issues perhaps there are folks who can chime in with solution..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
xose | "Wooow!! Great @warren! I'm having some troubles with the orange pi by now. This week we'll lift up a raspberry 2 with both a drone and a ballon. Le..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "That's a really cool-looking wind sensor. The new one requires at least 8 volts, so a big battery pack is needed. It would be pretty fun to put tha..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "I actually have both versions of the wind sensor if you're interested! " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "https://publiclab.org/questions/warren/06-12-2017/any-simple-ways-to-measure-wind-direction-from-a-data-logger " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "@xose - i've tagged it as an activity, but if other related (next steps) activities were added, and a Q+A section, this could be the first post on ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "Hm, can you link to the Ed Mallon comment about square waves? Also I see your posts here: https://publiclab.org/notes/cfastie/06-09-2017/the-mini-..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
cfastie | "Without making modifications to the components, a Nano Data Logger will last two or three days on small batteries (4 or 6 AA or AAA). I'm not sure ..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
warren | "@pdhixenbaugh - this would be great to have posted on the Riffle page as well, and we can inter-link the answers. Have a moment to post it? " | Read more » | about 7 years ago | |||
shanlter | "Thanks @liz and @Bronwen, if you are going to order the parts from DFRobot, let me know. The isolation module been used hasn't been online yet (but..." | Read more » | about 7 years ago |