Hi people,
At work we have some system that monitors and logs temperature and humidity via a PC. You can check in real time what the temps are and also produce a graph or table with the results on.
A system like this would be extremely useful to me and any other grower i would think.
I have searched the web and basically with their products your looking at £500+, which is just too much for myself and probably most of you lot out there!?
Does anyone have a solution / or know where a system like this can be purchased from for a relatively low price. Or even better does anyone have the knowhow to build a system like this???
All i want to be able to do is check the temperature and humidity and also make a graph of this from 2 or 3 different locations.
If anyone has any ideas, links or suggestions please post.
Many Thanks
Full Version: How To Monitor & Log Temperature & Humidity From Pc
I use a cctv camera and capture software on my pc to monitor temps and humidity. Works fine while lights are on. Not worked a way for lights off yet though.
Thought maybe enclosing thermometer and camera in light tight box with small light inside. Probe would be outside box for temp, but humidity is measured by unit itself, not probe.
Thought maybe enclosing thermometer and camera in light tight box with small light inside. Probe would be outside box for temp, but humidity is measured by unit itself, not probe.
Hey guys
Check out the green air range, you can find it on google quite easy just type greenair.com
Check out the green air range, you can find it on google quite easy just type greenair.com
Here's a pic.
[attachmentid=71338]
I'll take a pic of cam when lights are on.
[attachmentid=71338]
I'll take a pic of cam when lights are on.
There are cheap infrared cams.
Aye, I have an IR cam that only cost me £15 off Ebay...
OK I'm thinking out loud here, but the way to monitor and log your temperature and humidity would probably involve buying 2 probes - 1 for each of temperature and humidity - and having a small controller to take readings from each at intervals. These readings would then be sent from the controller to the PC, and logged in a database. It's essentially a very simple process, but I don't know where you'd find such a controller, or if you'd want to programme it...
I'm forever meaning to get started on this particular project myself - but I have little motivation in that I can see the temperature and humidity from a readout on the front of the drobe anyway! It stores the min and max temperature achieved over the last 7 days too.
I would imagine the price of pre-built systems will come down as computers continue to penetrate the mainstream... tbh I don't know how much the cheapest is nowadays. Last one I saw was about £600, but it had lots of relays for turning stuff on & off as well... Now that would be handy!
OK I'm thinking out loud here, but the way to monitor and log your temperature and humidity would probably involve buying 2 probes - 1 for each of temperature and humidity - and having a small controller to take readings from each at intervals. These readings would then be sent from the controller to the PC, and logged in a database. It's essentially a very simple process, but I don't know where you'd find such a controller, or if you'd want to programme it...
I'm forever meaning to get started on this particular project myself - but I have little motivation in that I can see the temperature and humidity from a readout on the front of the drobe anyway! It stores the min and max temperature achieved over the last 7 days too.
I would imagine the price of pre-built systems will come down as computers continue to penetrate the mainstream... tbh I don't know how much the cheapest is nowadays. Last one I saw was about £600, but it had lots of relays for turning stuff on & off as well... Now that would be handy!
QUOTE(aventinusdampf @ Apr 14 2006, 08:14 PM) [snapback]554307[/snapback]
There are cheap infrared cams.
Can plants "see" infrared light? Would it upset flower cycle?
not exactly what ur after but i bought a extech wireless monitor, it has a stat u can locate in ur room and every 6 mins it updates, cost 16 quid of ebay, not high tech but stores high and low temp and is to hand without any little trips to check up.
hth
hth
This is Awsome - I found a temp & humidity data logger.
Heres the details:
This data logger measures and stores up to 16,382 relative humidity and 16,382 temperature readings over 0 to 100%RH and -35 to +80°C (-31 to +176°F) measurement ranges. The user can easily set up the logging rate and start time, and download the stored data by plugging the module straight into a PCs USB port and running the purpose designed software under Windows 98, 2000 or XP.
Relative humidity, temperature and dew point (the temperature at which water vapor present in the air begins to condense) data can then be graphed, printed and exported to other applications. The data logger is supplied complete with a long-life lithium battery, which can typically allow logging for a year. Status indication is via flashing red and green LEDs. The logger is protected against ingress from water and dust to IP67 standard when the plastic cap and seal are fitted.
Included:
• Humidity/Temp USB data logger
• Configuration software
• User-selectable alarm thresholds
• LEDs indicate logger status
• IP67 protection
With this i can stick it in the gro room and have it set to take a reading every 15 minutes for about 170 days or so. Then export the data to Excel and create a graph. You can then use the graph to see when the temps start to drop and also when the humidity rises, and over the space of a couple of weeks you could use this gadget to fine tune the gro room. I plan on finding out when the humidity rises and the temps go down then putting in a heater or heat mat on a time so that i can stop the humidity getting so high.
Its an awsome piece of kit!!!!
Heres the details:
This data logger measures and stores up to 16,382 relative humidity and 16,382 temperature readings over 0 to 100%RH and -35 to +80°C (-31 to +176°F) measurement ranges. The user can easily set up the logging rate and start time, and download the stored data by plugging the module straight into a PCs USB port and running the purpose designed software under Windows 98, 2000 or XP.
Relative humidity, temperature and dew point (the temperature at which water vapor present in the air begins to condense) data can then be graphed, printed and exported to other applications. The data logger is supplied complete with a long-life lithium battery, which can typically allow logging for a year. Status indication is via flashing red and green LEDs. The logger is protected against ingress from water and dust to IP67 standard when the plastic cap and seal are fitted.
Included:
• Humidity/Temp USB data logger
• Configuration software
• User-selectable alarm thresholds
• LEDs indicate logger status
• IP67 protection
With this i can stick it in the gro room and have it set to take a reading every 15 minutes for about 170 days or so. Then export the data to Excel and create a graph. You can then use the graph to see when the temps start to drop and also when the humidity rises, and over the space of a couple of weeks you could use this gadget to fine tune the gro room. I plan on finding out when the humidity rises and the temps go down then putting in a heater or heat mat on a time so that i can stop the humidity getting so high.
Its an awsome piece of kit!!!!
Where did ya find that?
Yep sorry mentioned all the details forgot to mention where and more importantly how much!!!
Its on Ebay, if you do a search for "EL-USB2 Temperature & Humidity Data Logger / Recorder"
Item Number 7609975465
The best thing is it came to under £55 with postage!!!!!
Should be wicked and extemely useful!
Its on Ebay, if you do a search for "EL-USB2 Temperature & Humidity Data Logger / Recorder"
Item Number 7609975465
The best thing is it came to under £55 with postage!!!!!
Should be wicked and extemely useful!
I've got a environment logger that i picked up from work, old thing that was being thrown out.
It's got a simple web interface where you can read the temperatures but there is also a bit of software that logs and graphs it for you. You can set alarms/alerts based on temperature and so forth. It can take 4 probes.
I buy the newer ones at work and you are right, generally talking at least £2-300. I'll see if I can have a look around because the one I've got is very simple, it's about the size of a floppy disk only about the thickness of a mars bar.
It's got a simple web interface where you can read the temperatures but there is also a bit of software that logs and graphs it for you. You can set alarms/alerts based on temperature and so forth. It can take 4 probes.
I buy the newer ones at work and you are right, generally talking at least £2-300. I'll see if I can have a look around because the one I've got is very simple, it's about the size of a floppy disk only about the thickness of a mars bar.
I've got an EL-USB2, you're right, it's a cool piece of kit.
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
QUOTE (lazi @ Oct 15 2009, 08:13 AM) 
I've got an EL-USB2, you're right, it's a cool piece of kit.
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
Sorry if this is slightly off topic, I was reading this because I would love eventually to monitor and even control some of my growing from the PC. It was the raindrops thing that got my attention. It's my first tent grow, and when I check them (usually just after lights on, but havent done close inspection after lights off) theres sometimes a mysterious droplet or two of water on a plant or two. I guessed it was condensation dripping off the reflector but I never noticed this in any other grow
Got any advice or tips on this because I would like to stop it, especially as the same issue has potential to cause bud rot
?
QUOTE (Mr. Sparkle @ Oct 15 2009, 10:13 AM)
Sorry if this is slightly off topic, I was reading this because I would love eventually to monitor and even control some of my growing from the PC. It was the raindrops thing that got my attention. It's my first tent grow, and when I check them (usually just after lights on, but havent done close inspection after lights off) theres sometimes a mysterious droplet or two of water on a plant or two. I guessed it was condensation dripping off the reflector but I never noticed this in any other grow
Got any advice or tips on this because I would like to stop it, especially as the same issue has potential to cause bud rot ?
Got any advice or tips on this because I would like to stop it, especially as the same issue has potential to cause bud rot
?The water is from your plants, they are perspiring. It will evaporate when the lights come back on.
QUOTE (lazi @ Oct 15 2009, 09:13 AM)
I've got an EL-USB2, you're right, it's a cool piece of kit.
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
In the graph you can see how the humidity usually is in my tent. About 6 months of faffing about changing this 'n that got me a mould free grow at a humidity the plants just love.
The trick seems to be keeping the dew point line away from the temp line so I wouldn't recommend samples every 15 minutes yet, go for 10 seconds at first and sort out the day to day climate. I found it was the 5 minute period just before the lights came on that was causing the raindrops on the reflectors and probably the budrot too.
btw my '7 year' battery lasted 6 months. At a fiver a time the 2 stay separate until needed now.
Click to view attachment
after seeing lazi's recommendation i went and got one of these, it arrived friday
got it from a company called rapid electronics after googling it for the cheapest price
it was £39.50+VAT
unfortunately, my usb didn't recognise it so i have to return it to be changed, they're collecting it monday - boo, i want to play now!
but i agree, a very good piece of equipment for letting you know whats going on ALL the time in your room
i would of thought that the battery issue could be lessened by increasing the time in between readings quite a bit, even if you did 30 second readings instead of 10sec it would increase the battery life to 18 months wouldn't it?
can't see it changing significantly in 30 sec or even a minute
It's quoted as a 7 year lithium battery. I used it almost every night for 5 months or so, it was working fine when it went on the shelf to gather dust and I'd turned it off from the pc. 2 months later I go to use it and the battery is dead. I now remove the new battery once I've finished with it.
Every minute might be ok but I was doing 24 hour tests so no reason not to use 10secs. The cellar doesn't change much with the seasons so a decent climate one day is decent climate every day.
Mr. Sparkle, I was doing so many different tests it's difficult to remember them all but the final configuration was extractor fan on 24/7, 2 x 6" clip on fans per light (XXL tent) controlled by a light dimmer and a 4 foot tube heater per light, the timer set to have them come on 30 minutes before lights off and go off 15 minutes after the lights come on. As the saying goes, YMMV.
btw, it's a stand alone datalogger, if you want the pc to switch equipment on and off dependant on temp/humidity sensors, check out Cleware.
Every minute might be ok but I was doing 24 hour tests so no reason not to use 10secs. The cellar doesn't change much with the seasons so a decent climate one day is decent climate every day.
Mr. Sparkle, I was doing so many different tests it's difficult to remember them all but the final configuration was extractor fan on 24/7, 2 x 6" clip on fans per light (XXL tent) controlled by a light dimmer and a 4 foot tube heater per light, the timer set to have them come on 30 minutes before lights off and go off 15 minutes after the lights come on. As the saying goes, YMMV.
btw, it's a stand alone datalogger, if you want the pc to switch equipment on and off dependant on temp/humidity sensors, check out Cleware.
QUOTE (lazi @ Oct 18 2009, 01:30 PM)
It's quoted as a 7 year lithium battery. I used it almost every night for 5 months or so, it was working fine when it went on the shelf to gather dust and I'd turned it off from the pc. 2 months later I go to use it and the battery is dead. I now remove the new battery once I've finished with it.
right, i get ya now, had that myself and with leaking batteries as well
thought you was talking about battery life in use
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