Temperature logger ... Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[melrose]

Goal. Temperature logger to SD (not SD mini) card.
Question:
Are the "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141) and DHT22 (https://www.adafruit.com/product/385), the two components that I need to accomplish the task?
What else do I need? Links?
This is my first project and I am not familiar with Arduino jargon/slang or concepts. Thanks.

[adafruit_support_carter]

I think you are generally on the right track. There are probably some better sensor options to consider though.

What are you using as a main board? An Arduino UNO?

[melrose]

As I eventually concluded, the "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" does not include a microprocessor or "Arduino." So the project needs at least three items:
A. "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" - (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141)
B. DHT22 temperature sensor (https://www.adafruit.com/product/385)
C. A "full size" microprocessor, not a mini, or a micro, or a tiny. Suitable microprocessor/board links? Or link to a list of suitable "full size" microprocessors?
D. Other items/components to complete a temperature logger?
Too much jargon/slang. Bring it back to more conventional words for those with no Arduino experience. So far the experience has not been good. For example a "shield" is a subassembly. "Stacking headers" are spacers.

[kcl1s]

I have had many hobbies in my life. Part of the fun of learning a new hobby is learning the "jargon". I grew up in the pre-internet age. Back then it was hard. If you wanted to learn about backpacking you found an outdoor store and grabbed some books and magizines to get you started and listened to the advice of a sales person who may or may not have been knowledgeable. Now you have vast knowledge (good and not so good) at your fingertips.

So you have stated your design goal - Temperature logger to SD (not SD mini) card. You picked out the hardware to get it done, Arduino, Data logging shield, Temp sensor. Then ask what else you need? OK. Wire and wiring skills to connect the sensor. For the shield headers and wiring you will need solder equipment and the skill to use it. Now just hooking the parts together does not make a working project. The Arduino needs to be programmed to read the sensor and put the data on the SD card. So you will need to know how to write (or at least modify) code and the procedures to get the code to the Arduino. On the other end you will have to retrieve the data from the card presumably using a PC application.

While this is not a difficult project, you will have to take the time to learn how to do the tasks outlined above. I will warn you, you will meet a lot of "jargon" as you learn. The good news is Adafruit has plenty of tutorials to help with the learning. Most products in their store have a link to a tutorial on how to use it. There are also getting started tutorials for soldering, Arduino and others in the Learn section of their site.

Good luck.

Fellow hobbyist
Keith

[adafruit_support_carter]

Try reading through the guide for the logger shield:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dat ... d/overview
to get a basic idea of how it works in conjunction with a main board. There's even an example of how to create a light and temperature logger:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dat ... ure-logger

Then take a look at the DHT guide:
https://learn.adafruit.com/dht
to see how they are used with a main board. Then you can combine the information from the two to work toward making your logger.

The requirement to use the non-micro SD card format will limit your choices. If you could use a micro-SD instead, you would have more hardware options. For example, you could use boards from the Feather line:
https://learn.adafruit.com/data-logging ... n/overview

[melrose]

For my project, I should order:
A. "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" - (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141)
??B. Metro 328 BUT, there are two options. What is the difference? Reading the descriptions did not help. I plan to use with the 1141 shield listed above.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488
https://www.adafruit.com/product/50
??C. DHT22 temperature sensor (https://www.adafruit.com/product/385). Python code is listed. Can I use this sensor with C? Or is it Python only? Are there other temperature sensors that use C code?
??D. 2G or 4G or 8G SD card ??? Not mini or micro. When I click Products, there is no link/listing for SD cards. Sigh.
E. CR1220 battery (https://www.adafruit.com/product/380)
F. Power supply (6 x AA) (https://www.adafruit.com/product/248)

Have I missed anything?
Its a good thing that I list the links. Finding a product again is a challenge.

[adafruit_support_carter]

Just to be sure - you currently have no hardware?

What is your preferred programming language? The 328 is an older board and can only be used with Arduino (C/C++). Newer boards, like the Metro M0 or M4 can be programmed either in Arduino or CircuitPython.

Is overall size a concern for you? Or being able to run off batteries? If so, you may want to look at the Feather line:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather

[melrose]

I have no hardware. I prefer to program in C. Still, I have 3 questions - B. C. and D. Thanks.

For my project, I should order:
A. "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" - (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141)
??B. Metro 328 BUT, there are two options. What is the difference? Reading the descriptions did not help. I plan to use with the 1141 shield listed above.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488
https://www.adafruit.com/product/50
??C. DHT22 temperature sensor (https://www.adafruit.com/product/385). Python code is listed. Can I use this sensor with C? Or is it Python only? Are there other temperature sensors that use C code?
??D. 2G or 4G or 8G SD card ??? Not mini or micro. When I click Products, there is no link/listing for SD cards. Sigh.
E. CR1220 battery (https://www.adafruit.com/product/380)
F. Power supply (6 x AA) (https://www.adafruit.com/product/248)

[adafruit_support_carter]

B. Not sure. Probably the same. I'll ask.

C. The closest to C is the C/C++ provided by Arduino:
https://learn.adafruit.com/dht/using-a-dhtxx-sensor
there are lots of other (and probably better) temperature sensors:
https://www.adafruit.com/category/56
One of the I2C based boards would be better than the DHT.
Arduino drivers are generally available for all of them.

D. Here are some SD card options, but we don't carry many:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2693
You can use the adapter to turn a micro into a regular size SD card

[adafruit_support_carter]

B. Yep, they're identical. The older PID 50 page is kept around for historical reasons.

[melrose]

Sigh. This Arduino stuff is a convoluted mess.
One question: C.
A. "Adafruit Assembled Data Logging shield for Arduino" - (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141)
B. Metro 328 BUT, there are two options. What is the difference? Reading the descriptions did not help. I plan to use with the 1141 shield listed above.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488
??C. Instead of DHT22 temperature sensor, you suggested an I2C sensor on a breakout board
https://www.adafruit.com/category/56
As I understand, the Metro 328 (/2488) is on the bottom, with headers? that connect the logging shield (/1141), and then ???? another set of headers? to connect the temperature sensor breakout board? There would be a stack, Metro on bottom, then logging shield, then sensor breakout board? The temperature sensor (/56) uses Arduino language, which I guess is a C/C++ variation? The Metro 328 (/2488) and logging shield are a compact unit. Using a breakout board and breadboard, makes it all cumbersome. No interest in Feather - too small, not C/C++.

[adafruit_support_carter]

"shields" are add on boards for Arduino main boards. So you'll always have some kind of main board, like an UNO, Metro 328, etc. There are numerous options, including more modern MCU's like the M0 and M4. And there are *lots* of shields, but they all work by being attached on top of the main board. The header arrangement is common for anything that is "shield" compatible.

Arduino is C/C++ with the addition of some helper scripts. When it comes down to compile time though, it uses gcc.

So, yep, I think you are getting it correctly - a stack, Metro 328 on bottom + logger shield on top. The I2C pins are available on the logger shield as well. You could use the little prototyping area on the logger shield if you want for staging the sensor.

Just FYI - Feathers can be programmed with Arduino (C/C++) also.

[melrose]

The shield (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1141) won't fit together with a Feathers. Right? So...

I am buying the parts today, and no doubt when I put it all together it probably won't work.

[adafruit_support_carter]

Correct - a shield is not meant to be used with a Feather. The equivalent for a Feather is a Feather Wing:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... atherwings

There are a *ton* of Feather Wings, including ones designed for data logging:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-fea ... ging-wings