| RSS Web Feed for Renewable Energy UK | REUK Shop | Bookmark Site | About Us  

Renewable Energy System Data Logger



Renewable Energy System Data Logger

Track the performance of your RE system with a data-logger

electronics | general | shopping
Printer Friendly Version Print Article     

With any renewable energy system it is important to track at least the status of the battery bank, and the voltage and current being used and generated. With simple domestic systems this tracking can be carried out with something as simple as a digital multimeter, or a basic ammeter and voltmeter ranging to advanced measuring equipments such as the Watts Up Meter and beyond.

However, these methods of analysing the performance of a renewable energy system require the presence of an operator. If you want to know the current generated over the course of a night by a wind turbine generator you would have to stay up all night writing down the readings displayed by the ammeter.

Data Logging Renewable Energy Systems

Ideally there would be electronic devices available which would automatically measure the voltage and current of the RE system at fixed intervals - for example, once every 5 seconds. It would save all this information in memory to be downloaded, analysed, and visualised on a computer later on. Good news - such data logging devices are available relatively inexpensively.

Lascar USB Voltage Data Logger


Lascar USB Voltage Data Logger

Pictured above is the Lascar EL-USB-3 Voltage Data Logger. This British designed (HK-manufactured) device (costing around £39+VAT in the UK and $69 in the USA) will measure up to 32,510 voltage readings (from 0-30 VDC) every 1 second, 10s, 1 minute, 5m, 30m, 1 hour, 6hrs, or 12hrs and store them. It can then be plugged directly into the USB port of a Windows PC and the data downloaded, graphed, printed, and exported to other applications such as Excel.

The EL-USB-3 is supplied with a set of leads fitted with crocodile clips to be connected to the terminals of the battery bank to be measured, one long-life lithium battery, and the necessary Windows software (98, 2000, XP).

The three-page technical specification for the EL-USB-3 Data Logger can be downloaded here: EL-USB-3 Specs (PDF).

NEW - Click here to buy the EL-USB-3 0-30V Data Logger now from just £26.80 + VAT.
(Lascar also sell a similar temperature datalogger, carbon monoxide datalogger, and a joint temperature and humidity datalogger - products which are available to purchase at the same link above.)

HOBO 4-Channel External Data Logger


HOBO 4-channel external data logger

Pictured above is the HOBO 4-Channel External Data Logger available in the USA for $105.00. Measuring just 2.4 x 1.9 x 0.8 inches and weighing 27 grams, this tiny device will measure and record up to 32,520 readings with user-selectable sampling intervals from 1/2 second to 9 hours, and will record for up to one year powered by an internal CR2032 lithium button cell.

The HOBO 4-Channel External Data Logger can be connected to a computer using a serial cable (available including the necessary software for a further $25.00). The software enables the time and date on the data logger and the sampling interval to be set, and is used to download the logged data. (If a USB connection is required it is possible to use an easily obtained serial-USB adapter.)

With four channels it is possible to record up to four different values at the same time - for example the voltage of the battery bank, the current in, current out, and the temperature. A range of sensors are available for different voltages and currents, however it is possible to use the cheapest available voltage input cables ($8 each) and then make a voltage sensor with a voltage divider using a few resistors, and a current sensor using a suitable shunt.

Article Last Modified: 09:56, 31st Jul 2008


Recommended Related Articles

People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:

Watts Up Meter
Track power usage, voltage and current with a Watts-Up meter
Article Last Modified: 12:24, 1st Aug 2008
storage | electronics | shopping | energy efficiency

MiniWind Wind Turbines
Find out more about the MiniWind range of wind turbines
Article Last Modified: 13:33, 1st Aug 2008
wind | shopping

Simple Solar Water Heating
Make a simple solar water heater with easy to find materials
Article Last Modified: 13:17, 30th Jun 2008
heating | solar | water

Greenhouse Heatsink Connection Diagram
Putting together a solar powered greenhouse heatsink system
Article Last Modified: 13:18, 30th Jun 2008
solar | heating | general

Air X Wind Turbine
The Air-X Wind Turbine Generator
Article Last Modified: 13:11, 1st Aug 2008
wind | general

Permanent Magnet Generator
Build a wind or water power system with around a PM Generator
Article Last Modified: 11:44, 21st Jul 2008
wind | hydro

DIY Solar Water Heating Prototype
Follow the construction of a successful DIY solar water heating prototype
Article Last Modified: 15:16, 19th Aug 2008
solar | heating | water

Solar Charge Controller
Find out more about Solar Charge Controllers
Article Last Modified: 15:43, 29th Jul 2008
solar | electronics | electric circuit

Calculation of Hydro Power
Work out how much hydro power can be taken from flowing water with our new online automatic hydro-power calculator
Article Last Modified: 12:47, 10th Mar 2008
hydro | education

DIY 2kW Wind Turbine
Read about a home built 2kW wind turbine constructed from scrap
Article Last Modified: 08:46, 4th Oct 2007
wind | recycling

© 2006-2008 REUK - All Rights Reserved
Page Last Updated on 21st August 2008 at 01:08:27pm

Latest
Articles


40 Amp Blocking Diode 1N1190A
Find out how to use a blocking diode with a wind turbine generator
wind
13:36, 20th Aug 2008

La Rance Tidal Power Plant
Find out La Rance experimental tidal power plant in France
tidal
15:32, 19th Aug 2008

PVC Wind Turbine Blades
Learn how to make your own PVC wind turbine blades
wind
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Shed and Garage Solar Lighting
Light your shed or garage with solar powered lighting
lighting
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

How I Built A Wind Turbine
Read how a wind turbine was built for under US$150
wind
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

10 Ways to Save Water
Find out how you can save water, energy, and money
water
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Rainwater Toilet Flush System
Find out how to put together a complete rainwater fed toilet flushing system
water
15:16, 19th Aug 2008

Jatropha for Biodiesel Figures
Look at the financial costs of commercial Jatropha growing for Biodiesel
biomass
15:16, 19th Aug 2008



REUK Shop

Popular Items


KILL A WATT
Plug in Mains Power and Energy Monitor
£19.99 each.
Energy Saving



EFERGY HOMECO2METER
efergy homeCO2meter wireless electricity monitor
£38.99 each.
Energy Saving



240V LED SPOTLIGHT BULB
240V LED GU10 bulb. 20 x 20,000mcd white LED 1 Watt bulb
£4.99 each.
Energy Efficient Lighting



RAINWATER DIVERTER KIT
Rainwater diverter kit for standard plastic 65mm square and 68mm round downpipes
£8.99 each.
Water Conservation



300 WATT POWER INVERTER
Convert 12V DC battery power into 230 AC to power portable televisions, computers, video recorders etc. 300 Watt power rating - peak power 600 Watts
£29.99 each.
Renewable Energy System Parts



12 VOLT 3 WATT SOLAR PANEL
Waterproof 12 Volt 3 Watt Solar Panel - 199 x 136mm with fitted leads (fiberglass and resin).
£19.99 each.
Solar Power



SUNGUARD SOLAR CONTROLLER
4.5 Amp at 12 Volt solar charge controller - fully encapsulated and weatherproofed
£19.99 each.
Solar Controllers