Data logging thermometer

jaydee · 03-09-2005, 11:59 PM

I found this little device that has decent specs (I think). http://www.microdaq.com/mt/temperature/tc4000.php

Anyway what I am looking for is a decent thermometer that is capable of data logging for automation. Any ideas?

bigben2k · 03-10-2005, 12:08 AM

I went the way of RTDs, but often wish I went for TCs instead; the RTD probes are expensive!

eBay has tons of temperature converters; just search using "temperature rtd" to pull up a whole bunch. Many can also use ThermoCouples.

The hard ones to find are those that have two inputs, and can read them in differential modes (search "temperature differential").

The output is usually on the 4-20 mA, or some volt range. The useless ones have a relay output, and trigger at a set point only. The best ones have a serial interface. Most have a LED or LCD display.

It's quite an exercise to look up the specs of each unit; I've accumulated many links on my site, with all my Googling!
http://wbta.us/index.php?option=com_...temid=45&lang=
(recently re-vamped for more categories)

jaydee · 03-10-2005, 12:15 AM

That came up with nothing usable. I want something put together in one unit plug and play style. Probes, meter, and output all in one. Nothing I have to scrap togther. I want to be able to log the temps over time and output the data into software to create a graph basically.

redleader · 03-10-2005, 01:38 AM

I've been meaning to ask about labview. I remember pH saying he switched over his system to it. What thermometer is used for the coolant temps? How does it hook into labview? Serial/parallel port or something else?

prandtl · 03-10-2005, 12:29 PM

Labview can accomodate serial and parallel port, but the best, imo, is to use GPIB port by the way of a GPIB card (usual PCI card).

bigben2k · 03-10-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee116

That came up with nothing usable. I want something put together in one unit plug and play style. Probes, meter, and output all in one. Nothing I have to scrap togther. I want to be able to log the temps over time and output the data into software to create a graph basically.

Looking for a ready-made solution? It's gonna be expensive. There's some USB based devices that'll do it (also serial, parallel, etc...)

I was told by another member here that there's a student version of LabView available for a more reasonable price, especially if it's a previous version (like 6.0 or 5.x).

As for the PCI-GPIB card, they usually go for $75 or more. I have an ISA one (~$25), but I'm hoping to get lucky on a PCI card.

Both available on eBay.

jaydee · 03-10-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben2k

Looking for a ready-made solution? It's gonna be expensive. There's some USB based devices that'll do it (also serial, parallel, etc...)

I was told by another member here that there's a student version of LabView available for a more reasonable price, especially if it's a previous version (like 6.0 or 5.x).

As for the PCI-GPIB card, they usually go for $75 or more. I have an ISA one (~$25), but I'm hoping to get lucky on a PCI card.

Both available on eBay.

All righty then. Help me out here. What kind of DAQ card am I looking for? Is there a special type spacifically for thermometers? Does the Thermoprobe hook directly to the DAQ card or what? Do you have to have a thermometer that is DAQ card compatible???

jaydee · 03-10-2005, 11:46 PM

So can I use something like this: http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2590

And it somehow connects to the serial port?

bigben2k · 03-11-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee116

So can I use something like this: http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2590

And it somehow connects to the serial port?

Yeah, that's pretty much the same thing. Still in the $200 range though.

Tell you what, I have a bunch of extra chips, to build a similar circuit to Incoherent's, here:
http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=10028

R u up to it?

We could fabricate something similar, with multiple inputs, and a serial interface. (By the end though, it'll probably end up costing the same$200...).

Otherwise, check out the evaluation boards for similar chips; that might same you a chunk of change; you could use a multi-input ADC evaluation board to make your volt/amp/temp, all from the same unit.

jaydee · 03-11-2005, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben2k

Yeah, that's pretty much the same thing. Still in the $200 range though.

Tell you what, I have a bunch of extra chips, to build a similar circuit to Incoherent's, here:
http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=10028

R u up to it?

We could fabricate something similar, with multiple inputs, and a serial interface. (By the end though, it'll probably end up costing the same$200...).

Otherwise, check out the evaluation boards for similar chips; that might same you a chunk of change; you could use a multi-input ADC evaluation board to make your volt/amp/temp, all from the same unit.

That's out of my capability, I would rather buy a complete unit.

If I where to buy that NuDam module, how does it connect to the PC itself? I don't see any way to connect it? Are you supposed to wire up a serial connector or what?

jaydee · 03-11-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydee116

That's out of my capability, I would rather buy a complete unit.

If I where to buy that NuDam module, how does it connect to the PC itself? I don't see any way to connect it? Are you supposed to wire up a serial connector or what?

Bah, I guess I would have to buy this http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/6311

That adds another $100.

03-09-2005, 11:59 PM	#1
jaydee Put up or Shut Up Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 6,506	Data logging thermometer I found this little device that has decent specs (I think). http://www.microdaq.com/mt/temperature/tc4000.php Anyway what I am looking for is a decent thermometer that is capable of data logging for automation. Any ideas?

03-10-2005, 12:08 AM	#2
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I went the way of RTDs, but often wish I went for TCs instead; the RTD probes are expensive! eBay has tons of temperature converters; just search using "temperature rtd" to pull up a whole bunch. Many can also use ThermoCouples. The hard ones to find are those that have two inputs, and can read them in differential modes (search "temperature differential"). The output is usually on the 4-20 mA, or some volt range. The useless ones have a relay output, and trigger at a set point only. The best ones have a serial interface. Most have a LED or LCD display. It's quite an exercise to look up the specs of each unit; I've accumulated many links on my site, with all my Googling! http://wbta.us/index.php?option=com_...temid=45&lang= (recently re-vamped for more categories) __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

03-10-2005, 12:29 PM	#5
prandtl Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 60	Labview can accomodate serial and parallel port, but the best, imo, is to use GPIB port by the way of a GPIB card (usual PCI card). __________________ OCS CS clan

03-10-2005, 12:15 AM	#3
jaydee Put up or Shut Up Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 6,506	That came up with nothing usable. I want something put together in one unit plug and play style. Probes, meter, and output all in one. Nothing I have to scrap togther. I want to be able to log the temps over time and output the data into software to create a graph basically.

03-10-2005, 01:38 AM	#4
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	I've been meaning to ask about labview. I remember pH saying he switched over his system to it. What thermometer is used for the coolant temps? How does it hook into labview? Serial/parallel port or something else?

03-10-2005, 11:46 PM	#8
jaydee Put up or Shut Up Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 6,506	So can I use something like this: http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2590 And it somehow connects to the serial port?

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