Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek


#63532 29-Jun-2010 11:15
Send private message

Am wanting to set up temperature monitoring on a PC at home – about 6 temperature probes in different rooms and store the data similar to a data logger and then be able to export it to an Excel file. Have considered a PLC but think too complicated for my old bones! Any suggestions?




Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

Create new topic
SepticSceptic
2188 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #346355 29-Jun-2010 14:00
Send private message

Depends on how much you want to spend. You can get data logging "buttons" that you can scatter around, pin to the wall, or plonk on a bookshelf. These will gather data for years.

To read them, you wander around with a data gathering wand to "touch" them to download data, or alternatively, gather them up and download them to a PC/USB connected reader.

You maybe able to hire them from the likes of TechRentals.

Perhaps if you give an idea of what the budget is, and why you want to take temp readings, and how often, other GZ's may come up with alternative ideas.

A wired solution is a PITA IMHO, unless it was to be a permanent fixture, or eventually part of a Home heating automation installation.




stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #346369 29-Jun-2010 14:31
Send private message

Thanks – what is PITA IMHO?! Budget – hmmm – perhaps up to $1k. Why do I want the readings? To monitor different heating options – we have cold winters and hot summers! The old story – if you can measure it – you can control it!  




Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

SepticSceptic
2188 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #346374 29-Jun-2010 14:55
Send private message

Pain in the As s ... In My Humble Opinion .:-)

So you may be looking at a wired / wireless solution - it appears to be heading towards a permanent fixture.

then you start getting into the realms of Home Automation-ish type environment.

It wouldn't be feasible to use non-amplified temp probes - picking up noise and hum is a distinct possibility, unless you use well shielded cable, etc. The cables start costing more than the sensors !!

I still think the buttons, or a wireless system would work, but then what are you going to do for temperature control ?

There are home automation products that will get you started - you can get remote sensing modules to transmit data over internal powerlines back to your PC or a HA (Home Automation) controller, and will log readings without the necessity to actually control anything, but will lay the foundation to actually start controlling temperature, and then to lights, security, etc. X10 was the beginning and the entry level point,, but it's somewhat dated, and has been superseded by more advanced products, but X10 will serve as an entry point. Be warned though, that most X10, and other home auto stuff is for the USA market, and mostly 115v, not 230v. Some 115v products can be modified for 230v operation, but that is EXCEEDINGLY HAZARDOUS if you don't know what you are doing, as it involves live circuitry, and probably will void any home insurance should you burn your home down. Not to mention court actions should anyone die as a result of mods.

There are a few X10, etc resellers in NZ and Oz - have a look on TradeMe - I have purchased the occasional X10 products from there.

A quick google brings up:
http://www.gizmosforgeeks.com/2006/02/25/templinc-x10-x-10-remote-temperature-sensor/907

The point I'm trying to make is that you don't want to spend effort and $$ on something that is temporary, and have to do all over again should you want to go down the semi-automation phase.





AndrewTD
292 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #346375 29-Jun-2010 14:56
Send private message

Sounds like a great thing to do. Keen to see how you get on with this.
I currently use some simple weather station devices (bought from DSE) with wireless remote units. I get to monitor 2 remote devices, and they store max & min temps.
But this is nowhere near as good as a proper data logger would be. Would be great to be able to graph temperature change over time in each room.
The ideal (in my view) would be low cost wifi remote sensors coupled with some receiver attached to a PC with an app to collate/graph the readings.

I think that some of the PC based weather stations do some of this, but perhaps not designed to have several temp readers.




kind regards Andrew TD


kyhwana2
2566 posts

Uber Geek


  #346376 29-Jun-2010 14:58
Send private message

This is a bit more "industrial". We use these at work..
http://www.itwatchdogs.com/product-detail-minigoose_ii__extended_lead_time_shipping_first_after_july...

You can just buy a splitter for it and run the sensors to where you need them.


stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #346387 29-Jun-2010 15:33
Send private message

Thanks Andrew – you would think there would by now something “off the shelf”. Yes agree Weather Station type hardware/software would be ideal – so simple – have used one now for several years - http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jim.ryan/weather/.

Wiring to any sensors – Cat 5 be able to handle it?

Keep those thoughts coming in – types of sensors, PC interface and software. Don’t want to be able to control any devices – just measure temperature!  




Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

Phaedrus
74 posts

Master Geek


  #346398 29-Jun-2010 16:03
Send private message

I have a friend who's doing this presently, he got twenty odd Dallas 1-wire sensors from eBay for a few bucks each and is using Logtemp from Finland. Have a look a some info he's posted here:

http://rsquared.megabyet.net/page1.htm

If you click on the 'home' link it'll show you the results, I think he's got a half-dozen or so connected up presently.

P.

 
 
 

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).
stuffed

288 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #346404 29-Jun-2010 16:24
Send private message

Brilliant – he is onto it! Think a bit beyond my technical capabilities though. Do you think I could get his contact details to see if he could help?  Guess you can send me a private message.

Thanks a lot.




Why work on Wednesday and stuff up 2 good long weekends

Phaedrus
74 posts

Master Geek


  #346410 29-Jun-2010 16:37
Send private message

I'll send you his details, having just checked that's ok, although it's probably not as hard as it looks really. The sensors are available for $2USD each (in blocks of 5) from here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-pcs-DS18S20-DS1820-1-Wire-Digital-Thermometer-Dallas-/350323875332?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5190ee1e04

That was the first one I looked at, there's more I imagine.

There isn't really much to it, you'd need to solder a few components together (only what's shown in the control box pic as per the cct diagram) and then stick on as many of the sensors as you need. Once that's done just plug into the PC, setup Logtemp and you're away.

Cheers, P.

Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.