Data Logging
activity: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
shanlter "@MadTinker, I uploaded a pdf to github. There are 2 drawings, one is the mounting plate which should be printed by a laser cutting machine. It's no..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
MadTinker "@shanlter Would you mind posting a PDF version of your DWG layout that you have on GitHub? For some reason, none of my code can read the file. Tha..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
MadTinker "@rockets Yes! that is exactly what I was concerned about. I'm too new at this to figure out what's an intelligent Uno question. I think a fundament..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
rockets "hi @madtinker, I know what you worry about it. I will say that the power bank is oK, since the main board is arduino uno. The power input will be 2..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
shanlter "Hi @MadTinker, I was told that 5V is fine, the board can automatically convert the voltage. " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
MadTinker "@shanlter @rocket Thanks for the suggestion of the power bank. My biggest question, particularly related to the power bank in the link, was the vol..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
shanlter "Hi @MadTinker , yes you are right, the battery I'm using is the one in your link. But you can use any kind of portable battery to charge your devic..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
rockets "@MadTinker I think you can use that, but if you have a power bank, that also working. " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
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 » almost 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 » almost 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 » almost 7 years ago
liz "Hi @madtinker, oh there's interest! as @shanlter said, the best place to document your build is by clicking the blue button "Click here to replicat..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
shanlter "@MadTinker, awesome!! I'm trying to get familiar with Public Lab's logic as well, I guess the best way to document is by replicating an activity? A..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
MadTinker "@shantler @rockets et al... FWIW - I ordered the (majority) of the parts needed for a KnowFlow related system (sans the DO sensor and the enclosure..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
liz "Hi @xose , @shantler did create a method page, and this now appears there as an activity! Check it out: https://publiclab.org/wiki/knowflow " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
MadTinker "@rockets Thanks for the summary. I thought I was going to have to move in a different direction, but this clears things up. Cheers. " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
ramarro "@shanlter i havent wrote anything about my project its just an hobbies for my aquarium :) @rockets I am using my project to control my reef aquar..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
rockets " DFR0504_Analog_Isolation_Module-V1.0-_Schematic.pdf here is the schematic of the isolator. " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
shanlter "Thanks @rockets! I hope this could help answering your questions, @ramarro. btw, The GUI of your controller looks so nice! Where can I learn more a..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
rockets "I just try translate youyou's answer into english. Q:The parts for the KnowFlow-esque are going to be ordered from DFRobot and was wondering if yo..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
david_uwi "Thanks for bringing this to prominence again. I will attach the code that runs the microprocessor. presslogger.txt This as mentioned above is wri..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
liz "Thanks for this super work @david_uwi ! I tagged this note so that it appears with the other data loggers https://publiclab.org/wiki/data-logging " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
ramarro "@shanlter i think that DFR EC will be better than what i use, at least after a brief look to the circuit. i will order one, and try it as well, if ..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
shanlter "Yes, you got it :) @MadTinker If you want to use DFRobot's EC sensor, you'd better test your sample with a TDS pen first (which only costs several ..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago