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Data logger for DC volts and amps

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email(at)jaredyates.com
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Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 7:26 am Post subject: Data logger for DC volts and amps

Does anyone know of a device that will keep a log of current draw in the .05-5A range, for 12-24 hours or so? I'm trying to troubleshoot an intermittent battery drain but the usual multimeter requires me being there and looking at it. The best alternative I have come up with so far is to point a video camera at the multimeter but there must be a gadget for this.

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user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1908
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Data logger for DC volts and amps

Here are a couple of other ideas:

Put a very small fuse in series with the battery cable.  If the fuse blows, 

you will know that current was flowing.  Digikey 486-7110-1-ND

.

Put an analog wrist watch in series with the battery cable.  Put a forward 

biased diode in parallel with the watch to limit the voltage across the watch.

Also put a 5A fuse in series with the watch-diode.

If the time on the watch changes, current was flowing.

.

Just don't turn the master switch on while testing.

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_________________
Joe Gores

finn.lassen(at)verizon.ne
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Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:03 am Post subject: Data logger for DC volts and amps

On 12/30/2023 10:26 AM, Jared Yates wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Does anyone know of a device that will keep a log of current draw in 

 the .05-5A range, for 12-24 hours or so? I'm trying to troubleshoot an 

 intermittent battery drain but the usual multimeter requires me being 

 there and looking at it. The best alternative I have come up with so 

 far is to point a video camera at the multimeter but there must be a 

 gadget for this.


	


Maybe omething like this:



https://www.amazon.com/Triplett-VDL48-Voltage-USB-Datalogger/dp/B0CFCBXKRH/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=1225955794707457&hvadid=76622403291054&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=94237&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-76622497037322%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=13412_13504749&keywords=data+logger+voltage&qid=1703961567&sr=8-3



But too expensive for my taste.



I would use an Arduino Nano connected to a laptop or computer.



Yes, you'd need a resistor (shunt) to  convert current into voltage.



Program would just be a loop to monitor one of the Nano's A/D channels. 

If the A/D value read exceeds the limit you set, output the value to the 

Arduino Serial Monitor with the Nano to Laptop USB cable.



I think the Nano can do close to 4,000 samples per second (0.00025 

seconds/sample) which I think would be sufficient to catch any event.



If you don't want it connected to a laptop, you'd need an SDCard shield 

for the Nano so you can log the events to that.



I now see that US-sold Nano's apparently have gotten ridiculously  

expensive ($25) at some sellers. But you can get them on eBay for $2 

shipped if you're willing to wait for it to arrive from China. I also 

see that some come with screw terminals if you don't like soldering.



Finn

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Peter(at)sportingaero.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:53 pm Post subject: Data logger for DC volts and amps

I know this is an English site, but similar devices must be available in the US.

https://www.geminidataloggers.com/data-loggers

Look under “Tinytag Instrumentation”

 

We use their temperature loggers at work, they are very reliable.

 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com <owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com> On Behalf Of Jared Yates

Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2023 3:26 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Data logger for DC volts and amps



 

Does anyone know of a device that will keep a log of current draw in the .05-5A range, for 12-24 hours or so? I'm trying to troubleshoot an intermittent battery drain but the usual multimeter requires me being there and looking at it. The best alternative I have come up with so far is to point a video camera at the multimeter but there must be a gadget for this.

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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