Question; is it posible to log this with an arduino? wich one and how?
If it's posible, I'm looking for a 4G/5G WAN connection for that board.
The data needs to be sent off to our cloud environment, how to start?
what microcontroller are you using? e.g. UNO, Mega, ESP32, RP2040, etc?
which modem are you looking at, e.g. Simcom A7676E
to connect to RS232 you will require a TTL to RS232 module, see esp32-rs232
do you have access to local WiFi internet connection? simpler than using a modem
I haven't chosen a microcontroller yet. I thought it would be best to ask here first which one suits my purpose best.
I want to be able to connect up to 5 sensors per microcontroller.
I also haven't chosen a 4G modem.
There is no wifi available. That's why I need 4G.
five RS232 connections per microcontroller could be a problem - there are not many microcontrollers with five hardware UART serial ports, e.g. the PIC24FJ1024GB610 has 6 UARTs
any particular reason to use RS232?
have a look at the TTGO T-Call (LilyGO) a dev board with ESP32 and A7670E (LTE/4G) - having the modem on the PCB with the microcontroller saves wiring which can cause poor connections and intermittent problems
That looks like an expensive bit of kit.
I've some experience of using this type of instrument both in the oceans and industry.
You'll see it has the industry standard 4-20 mA analogue output as well as RS232.
All the ones I used were analogue and designed to interface with SCADA or data loggers.
RS232 was rarely used, but maybe RS232 only wasn't a great choice.
Of course you can do all of this with an Arduino board, but be prepared for a lot of effort.
I haven't looked, but do any of the industrial versions in the Arduino range interface directly with RS232?
One thing I can tell you, having spent time in the middle of the North Pacific, that any gear is going to have to be really robust. Even working in coastal waters from a dinghy is challenging.
The reason to use up to five sensors is that we measures temperature and oxygen on different depts.
The reason to use rs232 is that we already have the sensors.
Tell us a bit more about the project.
Open sea, coastal?
What depths are you working at?
Is it static or manned?
A lot of studies use sensors that are moved to different depths and O2 and temperature respond quite quickly..
I can understand that for profiling, you might need a string of sensors.
We use it at our fishfarms. Not open sea..
We are measuring at 5,10,15,20,30meters.
Log once every hour. And send it to our data storage in azure so it can be used later to analyze. And create graphs, so it's easier to see.
Thanks, understood.
There should be a solution to the RS232 output.
Once you've got that up and running, the rest should be relatively straightforward.
I guess you have some local display?
What ever you decide, be sure to first test your RS-232 with the longest cable you will be using. RS-232 is very sensitive to cable type and length and Baud rate.
Beginning to look that RS-232 was not a good choice, especially with 4-20 mA variants available.
I was responsible for hundreds of industrial instruments and can't recall any of them being other than 4-20 mA. It was the de facto standard mainly because everyone concerned understood it and you didn't need more than a multlimeter to test them.
It could end up with converting RS232 to something else.
The fish farming working environment could be challenging.
