Data Acquisition: Recommendations for simple scenario. (Looking for anything thats not overkill)

[JAspinall1]

Hi,

Currently I'm looking for a data logger to match a relatively simple scenario and set of specifications. However, search results continue to yield overpriced and frankly overkill systems which I am not interested in.

I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of some simple acquisition units, i.e: no front panel/interface, at least 4 channels and able to interface with a PC(there must be some sort of monitoring software).

Please feel free to throw out any names, catalogues, or any resources where I can find less over-kill and simple data loggers and I'll sift through them all to see if they match my scenario or not.

In a nutshell: PC compatible / Compact(i.e no frontpanel, displays) / 4 input channels / 0-5V or 4-20mA compatible input.

Regards,
Joel Aspinall

 

[MikeHalloran]

How many bits of resolution do you need?
How slow a sampling rate can you tolerate?


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JAspinall1]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking for something around 8 - 12-bit nothing too overkill, and a sampling rate as low as 1 minute and up to 24 hours.

I've actually found a few ideal loggers so far however they are all missing the ability to save data entries to memory: I need the ability to store a minimum of 20,000 entries(5,000 per channel)
which I can then download off of the device to a PC.

Is there any way that you know of off hand in which I can save the incoming to the memory of another device, and use that as my storage device if you see what I'm saying? Sort of using another product or even technique to compensate for the non-memory feature of the logger?

If you could point me in the direction of where to look for something like that I'd be grateful.

 

[MikeHalloran]

You didn't mention space constraints.

You can do a lot with a $50 used laptop.

... pretty much guaranteed to come with a virus, so scan it thoroughly, or just format the HD and commit it to Linux, or boot it from a floppy and run ColorFORTH.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Comcokid]

I've not personally used them but know some engineers who use these for simple data acquisition. Visit

http://www.labjack.com

and look at their U3 or U12 system. The engineers I know write their own code for these, but it looks like LabJack has a free download in addition to software drivers.

Otherwise, I would check out the ads in a hobbiest electronics magazine like Circuit Cellar or Nuts and Volts.

 

[Compositepro]

I've not used these but I get e-mails from them. They seem to have some decent products at an affordable price.

http://www.mccdaq.com/

 

[LiteYear]

We usually use a NI USB-6008 for these sorts of data acquisition tasks. Comparable to the LabJack and MCC products already mentioned.

But as soon as you mention logging on the device itself it's a different kettle of fish! For this task (data logging) we tend to use the DataTaker devices such as the DT80. But they're certainly not cheap.

I agree with Mike - the cheapest way to go is one of the USB DAQ devices and an old Laptop!

 

[VEBill]

http://www.omega.com/pptst/OM-EL-USB-1.html

 

[djs]

Koyo or EZAutomation PLC with a little custom programming?

 

[IRstuff]

Odd that's two posts that can take the same input:

12 Oct 12 0:18

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10915

http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc2545.pdf

$19.95 with 8-ch 10-bit ADC, but you will need an FTDI/USB cable to connect to a PC. There are open source PC apps that can datalog from the Arduino.
TTFN

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[LiteYear]

VE1BLL they look like an excellent solution! Dedicated purpose and ready to use. Do you have any experience with them? I reckon we would benefit from having a few of those laying around the lab, rather than rolling our own every time.

 

[VEBill]

No experience with them. Last time I did data logging we dragged a 60lb chart recorder onto the airplane and strapped it down.

 

[SteveWag]

What about this:

HOBO U12 4-Channel External Data Logger - U12-006

The HOBO U12-006 accepts a wide range of energy and environmental sensors. It provides 12-bit resolution measurements for detecting greater variability in recorded data, and stores 43,000 measurements.

http://www.onsetcomp.com/products/data-loggers/u12-006

It has 4 ea. 0-2.5 volt inputs. For 0-20 ma. use a 125 ohm resistor, scale 4-20 in software. Don't bother with their cable.

Steve