sensor box using a single analog input

Funny how the experts haven't chimed in here. There are some folks on here that could really help you with this. Maybe if I say something stupid they will chime in with a correct answer to help you out.

Here's a person that had the same problem and how he solved it. Could be much cheaper and easier than other methods

http://miscellanea.com/how-to-get-more-arduino-analog-inputs/