As I PATIENTLY wait for the Linux-based PE, my usual daily Internet diversion recently led me to research alternate energy sources again.
No, I haven't bought into the WORLD-WIDE "global warming" HOAX, but rather have an interest and curiosity about other forms of energy. A year or so ago, I applied (sort of) solar to one of my hobby hydroponics systems with mixed results (unreliable DC pumps). I want to try again using very reliable AC pumps, which I am accustomed to using.
The plan is to used solar AND wind to charge batteries and have a PICAXE control the periodic "flood-and-drain" cycle in the hydro system. Thus, solar and wind charge the batteries, which is converted into AC by an inverter powering the AC pump, all under PICAXE control. Solar I get; Wind is new.
Over the past month, I have built a demonstration Wind Turbine, based on a laser-printer stepper motor. Without wanting to travel to merry old windy England or visit Hugh Piggott in Scoraig to functionally test my turbine, I decided on a "very scientific" garage-based test, utilizing a fan to turn my turbine's 24" blade. I was easily able to generate an open-circuit rectified 10 Vdc, enough to charge a couple of AA/AAA batteries.
Further research led me to charge/dump controllers and battery desulphation. I just HAVE to include these in my project! But another day.
At present, I want to collect some local wind statistics, hence the need for a datalogger. My goal is to use a small, self-contained unit that will date/time stamp voltage, current, temperature and blade rpm. Sampling rate needs to vary between 10sec and 5min over a period of up to 2 weeks and stored locally (unit will be in a remote area with no computer), until retrieved and downloaded into a computer for analysis.
First, I looked at Eagle Tree Systems eLogger v3; a great unit. Does everything I think I need (and for future projects as well) . . . except the live data stream must connect directly to a computer. I was hoping to intercept the data stream and store it locally in the remote PICAXE datalogger; that is until correspondence with Eagle Tree confirmed they use a prioprietary, compressed data stream, the format of which they will not share.
Second, I looked at PICAXE-18X Datalogger (AXE110P Documentation) and datalogging wizard in PE, which looks promising. By adding the optional RTC (AXE034) and EEPROM (AXE111), it appears it can handle a 10sec sample rate on all four channels for about 22 hours and a 5min sample rate for over a month. Output in CSV and I should be home free.
So, any differing suggestions on a datalogger choice?
Richard
No, I haven't bought into the WORLD-WIDE "global warming" HOAX, but rather have an interest and curiosity about other forms of energy. A year or so ago, I applied (sort of) solar to one of my hobby hydroponics systems with mixed results (unreliable DC pumps). I want to try again using very reliable AC pumps, which I am accustomed to using.
The plan is to used solar AND wind to charge batteries and have a PICAXE control the periodic "flood-and-drain" cycle in the hydro system. Thus, solar and wind charge the batteries, which is converted into AC by an inverter powering the AC pump, all under PICAXE control. Solar I get; Wind is new.
Over the past month, I have built a demonstration Wind Turbine, based on a laser-printer stepper motor. Without wanting to travel to merry old windy England or visit Hugh Piggott in Scoraig to functionally test my turbine, I decided on a "very scientific" garage-based test, utilizing a fan to turn my turbine's 24" blade. I was easily able to generate an open-circuit rectified 10 Vdc, enough to charge a couple of AA/AAA batteries.
Further research led me to charge/dump controllers and battery desulphation. I just HAVE to include these in my project! But another day.
At present, I want to collect some local wind statistics, hence the need for a datalogger. My goal is to use a small, self-contained unit that will date/time stamp voltage, current, temperature and blade rpm. Sampling rate needs to vary between 10sec and 5min over a period of up to 2 weeks and stored locally (unit will be in a remote area with no computer), until retrieved and downloaded into a computer for analysis.
First, I looked at Eagle Tree Systems eLogger v3; a great unit. Does everything I think I need (and for future projects as well) . . . except the live data stream must connect directly to a computer. I was hoping to intercept the data stream and store it locally in the remote PICAXE datalogger; that is until correspondence with Eagle Tree confirmed they use a prioprietary, compressed data stream, the format of which they will not share.
Second, I looked at PICAXE-18X Datalogger (AXE110P Documentation) and datalogging wizard in PE, which looks promising. By adding the optional RTC (AXE034) and EEPROM (AXE111), it appears it can handle a 10sec sample rate on all four channels for about 22 hours and a 5min sample rate for over a month. Output in CSV and I should be home free.
So, any differing suggestions on a datalogger choice?
Richard
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