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I want to measure temperature (20-100C) on a minimum of four channels and at the same time measure voltage on one channel (perhaps two). What is the best way of aicheiving this in a cost effective manner. I'm running an experiment for my part time MSc

ziko · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

Hi and thank you for your post.

There a number of options really, we have 2 loggers that can do this range:

The USB TC08, this is an 8 channel Thermocouple data logger

http://www.picotech.com/thermocouple.html

Also we have the PT104, a serial ported device that can take up to 4 Platinum resistance thermometers.

http://www.picotech.com/pt100.html

These units can also act as voltage loggers, USBTC08 can measure +/-70mV and the PT104 can measure 0 - 2.5V.

We also have other voltage logging devices like the ADC11, which has 11 channels and measures 0-2.5V.

What kind of voltages are you trying to measure?

Kind regards

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:52 pm Post subject:

I looked at the TC-08 and that seems ideal. I didn't think about how to measure voltage but I suppose if I used the 70mV range then problem issolved as long I know what the likely out is going to be which I don't yet.

What I'm doing is measuring the performance of model stirling engines in low temperature differential application (solar, 20-100C). I'm modifiying the engines to become generators (rare earth magnets, coils of wire, glue, string, sealing wax - you get the idea?) then measuring power output and temperature diference between hot and cold sinks. This will give me some idea of effeciencies (likely to ber very low) and generate source data for my thesis.

I'll be buying the PicoScope 2104 which will give me the tools to see what voltages are being generated and then work on from there.

Many thanks

ziko · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:56 am Post subject:

No problem.

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

I've purchased the TC-08 and 2104 and found I don't need to do anything 'technical' like making up input probes for the TC-08.

The Picolog software handles both units so I can record temperature from the TC-08 and voltages using the 2104 at the same time with all data sychronised. I can also pre-manipulate data as it's generated without needing to do this in a spreadsheet afterwards.

I now have a solution for my Thesis work which I didn't need to spend a fortune on or hours afterwards re-processing data. Shame it can't write my experiemnt up for me Wink

Keep up the excellent work!

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