Advice on building a data acquistion and logging circuit

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi All,

I'm new to this tech but thought I'd get my feet wet by asking a question on data collection and logging.

I have a 240 volt AC 60 hz single phase 33 kw generator that I thought it would be interesting to capture various operating parameters and store as a csv file on a server that would be imported into a sql data base and reported on by a web site.

But first things first, I want to be able to Accurately measure the 240 vac output (2 decimal places or 240.00 vac) or the pair of 120 vac outputs. I also want to measure amperage draw, frequency, calculate wattage, engine parameters such as water temp, oil pressure, 12 v battery voltage, battery charge rate (amps), date and & time for starters. I'd also Like to incorporate alarms such as low or no oil pressure and low water level, over temp with a display on screen and a relay to open or close.
I like to display this info on a color lcd screen in real time as well and log these parameters to a file every 10 seconds or so.

The question is :
Is the Arduino the right platform or do I need to look elsewhere? If yes, then what sort of extra circuits might I need.
Also the generator is about 100ft away, how might this distance effect the measurement accuracy?

thanks

2

store as a csv file on a server that would be imported into a sql data base

As opposed to storing the data in the database? Why?

date and & time

Because the database is running on a server without a clock?

and a relay to open or close.

Just for giggles?

Is the Arduino the right platform

Sure. With the right sensors, of course.

If yes, then what sort of extra circuits might I need.

You don't need circuits. You need sensors.

Also the generator is about 100ft away

From what? The Arduino is portable.

3

Start smaller.

thought I'd get my feet wet

Sounds like you are going to drownd :wink:

This is a very big project.
You are going to have to definitely break this into manageable parts.
You may want to look at a Bobuino2, complete with terminals made by Crossroads, for the final board.
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/

Not a first time project.

4

Yes sensors are needed, where do I buy them and what am I looking for . I want to start small and just dsplay the volts and amps on a screen. The generator is located 100 feet away. The logging circuit will be inside the house.

5

The generator is located 100 feet away. The logging circuit will be inside the house.

You probably want to move the logger and sensors to be next to the generator. Sensor cables 100ft will probably not work (electrical losses and noise)

It's a big project. Suggest you start with logging a single simple parameter (voltage, or temperature) and then move onto some of the other stuff.

I think there are some logger shields available that should be a big help

6

sonnyyu:

  1. reading from the DMM into the arduino Yun.

Let Yun Measure/Datalog DCV/ACV/DCA/ACA/R/CAP/Freq/Temperature - Arduino Yún - Arduino Forum

  1. reading from the Barcode into the arduino Yun.

Interface barcode scanner with arduino yun - #4 by sonnyyu - Arduino Yún - Arduino Forum

  1. Access Mysql from arduino Yun.

Send Yun sensor data to MySQL on external server - #4 by sonnyyu - Arduino Yún - Arduino Forum

Send Yun sensor data to MySQL on external server - #11 by sonnyyu - Arduino Yún - Arduino Forum

Graph Mysql Data by rrdtool

copy newly created graph to some directory in yun webserver path and reach it via it’s URL (worldwide).

7

Is this your first Arduino project?

If so, put it on the shelf for a couple of months, buy an Arduino Uno and a few components such as LEDs resistors and work through the examples that come with the Arduino IDE first.

...R