Data Logging
question: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
WendyJospeh "Great project " | Read more » about 4 years ago
sarasage "Thank you so much for this detailed response! " | Read more » almost 5 years ago
warren "Ran some additional quick calculations on this: ~320 total 3-byte recordings 10s interval = ~30 minutes 1m intervals = ~3 hours 5m intervals = ~1..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
Needahand " Zoho writer is a good one - Martin Middlewich " | Read more » over 5 years ago
cfastie " Writing data to eeprom will work with the limitations you outline. Adding a microSD card module and 128 MB SD card costs less than $2.00. Adding..." | Read more » over 5 years ago
MadTinker " @warren You know it's pretty sad when I don't catch things like this myself :smiley: I was referring to the raw data. " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "Hi, MadTinker, thanks for the info here. I was just wondering if you  meant that the Coqui itself was noisy, or if you're referring to noise in the..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
MadTinker "I've successfully used the DFRobot TDS/conductivity sensor combined with the a Mini-Pearl system. The Coqui was much too noisy. My Arduino setup wa..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
Bronwen "Hi! The simplest (and cheapest) conductivity sensor I can think of is the Coqui-- we have a recent blog post about it here, and I would imagine wit..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
roberts_ecofarm "Thanks Chris, We have multiple injection well sites in our county, and more in the works, so we are planning on covering a large area. We will be..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
cfastie "You are right that there has not been much follow-through at Public Lab on developing and testing DIY conductivity or total dissolved solids (TDS) ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
pdhixenbaugh "Chris, thanks so much for your input. That information about memory usage is invaluable. I will plan on the non-wireless route for now. Maybe with ..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "Oh and also this one! https://publiclab.org/notes/warren/12-06-2017/help-document-how-to-connect-different-sensors-to-a-data-logger " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "This attempt to get people compiling a list might be helpful... esp if we can figure out a place to feature this -- https://publiclab.org/notes/wa..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
cfastie "I was impressed by the price ($12.90) of the DFRobot TDS sensor that MadTinker is working with so I bought a couple. It was easy to get it to work ..." | 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