Nano Data Logger
nano-data-logger

The Nano Data Logger is an easy and inexpensive way to start collecting environmental data. It relies on a shield (a PCB which plugs into another PCB) which snaps onto an Arduino Nano. The shield adds a real time clock and microSD card socket to the Arduino microcontroller. When the components are prepared properly, no soldering is required to start saving data from a sensor. Kits to build a Nano Data Logger are available at the [Public Lab Store](https://store.publiclab.org/collections/water-monitoring/products/nano-data-logger-kit?variant=12516302323821) and the [KAPtery](http://kaptery.com/product/nano-logger-kit). A Nano Data Logger is very convenient for fast prototyping trials. Sensors and other devices (e.g., small display), can be connected without soldering because all of the pins on the Nano are exposed as male headers. The integrated real time clock and microSD socket make it easy to save sensor data with accurate time stamps. To achieve the convenience of the Nano Data Logger, the ability to log data for many weeks is lost. It will not last on small batteries for more than several days without clever modification, so it is best suited for data collection for short periods, with alternative power (solar panels), or near mains power. ###Parts The two primary parts are: - **Arduino Nano**. Nano clones cost about $3.00 on eBay or [$4.00 to $10.00 at US retailers](https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=arduino+nano&tag=googhydr-20&index=electronics&hvadid=173554986927&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15080925241715253772&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003117&hvtargid=aud-345055983774:kwd-15608517219&ref=pd_sl_7sxbv5mstz_e). They can be cheaper if the headers are not soldered on if you want to do this yourself. - **Logging shield for Nano**. These are mostly available on[ eBay for $5.00 to $6.00](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XData+logging+shield++for+Arduino+NANO.TRS5&_nkw=Data+logging+shield++for+Arduino+NANO&_sacat=0). Also required: - The real time clock on the logging shield needs a [**CR1220 coin cell** battery](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_5?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=1220+battery&sprefix=1220+%2Celectronics%2C159&crid=1QZ3OBPARF67Q&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3A1220+battery). - Data is saved on a [**microSD card** which costs about $5.00 - $10.00](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_11?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=4gb+microsd+card&sprefix=4gb+microsd%2Celectronics%2C148&crid=38C6D1YHWDQV1&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3A4gb+microsd+card) - For autonomous operation a battery or case for batteries is required. Four AA or AAA alkaline batteries will supply 6 volts (6 to 12 volts are okay). The parts above do not include a sensor or USB cable to connect to a computer for programming and data transfer. For use near mains power, a mini USB cable and phone charger (5v) are convenient. [![Nanolog_20170509-8764.JPG](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/915/medium/Nanolog_20170509-8764.JPG)](https://publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/022/915/original/Nanolog_20170509-8764.JPG) *Above: These parts are included in the [KAPtery kit of the Nano Data Logger](http://kaptery.com/product/nano-logger-kit).* The Nano Data Logger is available as a kit with everything required to log temperature and barometric pressure without doing any soldering. Order it from the [Public Lab Store](https://store.publiclab.org/collections/water-monitoring/products/nano-data-logger-kit?variant=12516302323821) or the [KAPtery](http://kaptery.com/product/nano-logger-kit). ###Assembly The Nano data logging shield snaps onto the Arduino nano. A battery or battery pack can be connected with screw down terminal blocks. Power can also be supplied via mini USB cable from a computer or DC converter (phone charger). Sensors can be connected with DuPont wires with female connectors. If all of these components are prepared properly, no soldering is required to assemble the logger. However, preparing some of the components (Nano, sensors) might require soldering. ###Software A sketch which logs data from a BMP280 sensor for pressure and temperature is available at the [KAPtery Guides page](http://kaptery.com/guides/). See below for several examples of data logging with the Nano Logger. Examples include using different sensors to log data for temperature, humidity, pressure, light, and tilt angle. ### Activities [activities:nano-data-logger] ### Questions [questions:nano-data-logger] ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
ew4cm "Hi. I had the same problem with sd-card. My PCB board was wrong. " | Read more » over 1 year ago
warren "The links are in the Arduino code - but I'll copy them here too! https://github.com/greiman/SdFat/ https://github.com/adafruit/RTClib https://gi..." | Read more » over 4 years ago
fernando3216 "Hello, I would like to know what are the values ​​of dry and live vegetation, let's say? " | Read more » almost 5 years ago
ashokpkumar "Hi, need help in using this module. i tried using this code Deek2bme.txt but my SD card says card failed. its a 32 GB samsung card formatted with f..." | Read more » almost 5 years ago
cfastie " The simplest modification to make the sketch save to SD card once per minute is to change the line: if (logData == 1) // wr..." | Read more » about 5 years ago
jkbufu " Hello How to change the code to write data delay 60s, i try and cant do that ? Where change that ? " | Read more » about 5 years ago
cfastie "Liz, it's great to know that you (or I guess your Mom) were well coiffed in the 80s, although I regret that you did not include photographic eviden..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
liz " Dear Chris, as a child of the eighties myself, i can corroborate that the effects of Aquanet hairspray on respiration are quite significant. Were ..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
B-winters " Love this. I am definitely going to try building this at some point, but don't have the time right now. Perhaps after January term. I am coming b..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
cfastie "Leslie, I will lend you anything you need. Tell me about your HEPA setup. You must already have a 5V Arduino, so all you need is three DuPont wires..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
zengirl2 "I'm so excited to see this @cfastie. Love the play on words as always with the naming of the monitor. However, you may want to rename your research..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to cfastie for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 5 years ago
cfastie "Thanks Nick. It's good to know about the duplicate sensors. That's an intriguing engineering decision. Chris " | Read more » over 5 years ago
nshapiro "I'm going to be loling about Poorple all night! Amazing work, chris! And yes, I believe Purple has two of the same sensors to catch any low hanging..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
jywarren "Awesome! On Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 11:45 PM \<notifications@publiclab.org wrote: Public Lab contributor cfastie just posted a new research note en..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
warren "Circling back to this -- still love this design! NASA #aren folks just mentioned this sensor: https://www.metergroup.com/environment/articles/buy..." | Read more » over 5 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 » almost 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 » almost 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 » almost 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 » almost 6 years ago
liz "Email me liz@publiclab.org, if u can " | Read more » almost 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 » almost 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 » almost 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 » almost 6 years ago