Tell me what I need

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Howdy,

I'm new to Arduino and I could use some help figuring out what to buy. I have a simple project where I need to log the date and time every time a button is pushed. Ideally, I'd like to create a text file on a USB stick where a new line is written each time the button is pushed. It would look something like:

20101214_150522
20101214_150548
20101214_150633

if the button were pushed on Dec. 12, 2010 at 3:05:22 pm, 3:05:48 pm, and 3:06:33 pm. Exactly what hardware do I need to buy to make this happen? I have plenty of resistors, buttons, and simple circuit components on hand. The only real constraints are that I'd like to keep this low-cost and low-power.

Thanks in advance!

2

What you need is to Google "arduino real time clock" and "arduino data logger".

3

You might want to look at the Seeeduino Stalker. That would fir your bill nicely in one package.

Korman

4

Hmmm...the Seeeduino Stalker looks interesting. Would I need the Arduino in addition to the Seeeduino Stalker? And would I need something to connect it to the USB stick or SD card?

It looks like another route would be the Data Logging Shield for Arduino ($20). Add that to the Arduino Uno ($35) for a total cost of $55. Is this the simplest, most cost-effective option?

5

Whoa, Richard, that looks great! I think I'll give the OpenLog a shot.

To make sure I understand this correctly, I can edit a config.txt file directly on the SDHC card from a computer and I will never need to connect the OpenLog to my computer? And I do not need an Arduino at any point in this project? In terms of hardware, I am under the impression that I can hook up the OpenLog to a power source, connect a simple push-button circuit to the input, and the OpenLog will write a timestamp when the button is pressed? Very cool!

How accurate is the built-in clock? I'd like to build a few of these and place them around the house. That way I can log my activities (e.g. opening the fridge) over the course of a few months.

6

Richard, forgive my ignorance, but how do I go about editing the code for the OpenLog board? Does the OpenLog board read its code from a file on the SDHC card, or do I need to interface with the OpenLog board itself in some other way? I have plenty of experience with writing code, and plenty of experience building circuits, but this is my first foray into the world of microcontrollers--I need a little help getting over the first hump.