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
cfastie "Fig. 6 was created using Fritzing (http://fritzing.org/home/). The annotations and some editing were then done in PhotoShop. " | Read more » over 6 years ago
overwriter "@cfastie Cool project. I'm try to create a diagram similar to Figure 6. How did you go about creating that? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "Kina, thanks for the videos. Very helpful. I might try CoolTerm again, since I was using a sketch that did not format the serial output in an appro..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "Hello again. I just did two quick screen captures explaining how to do this with CoolTerm, using code from this GIST. The First one is here: https:..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Wow thanks @cfastie!!!!!! This is very useful info. Did you notice about that I mentioned @nshapiro and @zengirl2 don't have the actual HCHO sensor..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "I tried CoolTerm and never got it to work. I tried for only a half hour, so my failure is not so surprising. If you have a working data logger (e.g..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Email me liz@publiclab.org, if u can " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Hi @kinasmith this is extremely helpful! I have some additional information to report: the HCHO meter has already been sent to the research site in..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "sorry, I wasn't very clear in that previous message. I'll try to clarify. You'll need an Arduino in the middle between the sensor and the computer...." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Can someone (@kinasmith ?) do a quick screen recording with CoolTerm open while talking about what menus and settings are needed to actually make ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Here's what the interface looks like: " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "^^ interesting! A whole new angle on this problem. I think I would actually do this first to see the results coming out of the sensor, whether or n..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "ok thanks @cfastie and @kinasmith, i think i get it now! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
yamanoorsai "In fact, if the analog output is linear, I would not need the meter " | Read more » over 6 years ago
yamanoorsai "Hello, I would be glad to help as long as I get to share my work under an open license with everyone. How does one gain access to the HCHO meter li..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "so, how long will the sensor need to collect data for? If there is reliable power, and it's inside of a house, and it isn't running for weeks on en..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "I've read through the datasheet/manual for this sensor. Their use of audio connectors for signal and power connections is pretty questionable, but ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "Liz, I don't know the specs of the 1/4" phone plug, but it needs only two contacts, the tip and one ring along the shaft. I'm not sure which types ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Thanks to all the software contributors who helped fix that -- @siaw23 @sagarpreet " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "OK - links and uploads now working again on the site! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "wow awesome! @cfastie sorry to ask more but can you draw a picture on paper of what you expect these cables to look like? "A 1/4" stereo/phone plug..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
zengirl2 "@cfastie @warren ah, ok that makes sense now. " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "https://gist.github.com/jywarren/599b76ef9cdecdce764a7348f728ae31 " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "We're still struggling with a comment formatting bug -- apologies -- over in https://github.com/publiclab/plots2/pull/2605 -- here it is for the ti..." | Read more » over 6 years ago