Data Logging
datalogging

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 "New answer below where I could attach a file. " | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "A 1/4" stereo/phone plug connects to the HCHO sensor and two wires from that cable connect to the Arduino (tip of plug to A3, ring to GND). Below (..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
zengirl2 "@liz I can meet with @nshapiro with some Arduinos, but I think my question is where do you attach alligator clips or wires for testing this beast? " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Perhaps @Zengirl2 can go over the Nick's house and bring an Arduino? (They are both in Philly) and for good measure we can open up a video link wit..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "The first step might be to arrange for the co-location of the HCHO sensor, an Arduino, and somebody casually familiar with Arduino. Has the proper ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Hi @cfastie -- thank you so much for asking these questions. Here's what i know -- Nick has to go to Georgia with a working solution in 2 weeks...." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "Kina, Thanks for the great information. Liz, It might help to know more about this project. What is the time frame for deployment? What has been tr..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "Please give me a call at +1 336-269-1539 " | Read more » over 6 years ago
liz "OK awesome @kinasmith and @cfastie ! What would be helpful for me to do as a facilitator to help Nick get all the way there? Here's some ideas: 1) ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "this is actually an excellent solution to this problem without adding additional parts/complexity. The 1.1v internal reference is much more stable ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
kinasmith "I'll just chime in here for a second as someone who has worked a lot with arduino dataloggers and ADC's, etc. I agree with @cfastie on all points...." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Bronwen "Apologies for the mass tagging here, I know a lot of you have been in the mix providing great support and advice so far, but if anyone feels they h..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "There is a very simple way to read the HCHO sensor with a resolution of about 10 ppb, assuming the range of the sensor is 0 to 1000ppb. (Out of the..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
Alastair_ "8-Bit resolution is fine i'd think, you just need to amplify the signal. Any first year electrical engineering student worth her salt can design th..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "I'd like to try to get input from some of the many people at http://publiclab.org/contributors/datalogger who have almost certainly interfaced thei..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Thanks so much, Chris! So it does look like the relationship is linear between output and ppb. here is what a friend writes who has used this tool ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
zengirl2 "Unfortunately this is out of my league. You might try posting on Adafruit's forum asking about signal, but they won't be able to speak for the sens..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "I think it is par for the course that a random proprietary sensor will not work gracefully with an Arduino. In this case, it might be that a standa..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Thanks, Nick - yeah, i think the ADC stuff is more complex than it should be! Maybe we can recruit some help to get a basic Arduino sketch for thi..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Ah okie thanks! this is all waaaaay over my head. thanks for the clarification re:professional sensor outputs. I think the precision is higher than..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "As to your other question about professional sensors -- I think there's nothing super special about the sensor you have, and almost any system (ard..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Sorry, Nick I think it may still be an open question whether the manufacturer provides greater precision than this. Do you know? And I think the p..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
nshapiro "Thank you, Chris! This is extremely helpful, although a bit disappointing that none of the DIY data loggers would work without serious fiddling or ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "@nshapiro - I think this is a provisional "yes" -- thanks @cfastie! Which is to say, a good follow-up question for the company is "how much resolut..." | Read more » over 6 years ago