myPCLab data logger

sholayer

I have just received a new data logger - myPCLab from Novus Instruments, it looks a great device.

I have just setup it up under Win 7 64bit, setup was a breeze, drivers went in, software loaded smoothly, setup of the device, setup of inputs, it all just worked so smoothly, I am very impressed. I will be fitting it to the CCR roaster this weekend.
It is a modbus device so it runs with Artisan 6. At present I have it setup with 2 type K thermocouples, it can also take types J, T, E, N R, S, B, PT100, 4-20mA etc etc,. Brilliant.
It has 3 inputs - 2 for thermocouple and 1 digital. And there is also an internal ambient temp sensor that can be plotted.

I have just been running it at ambient temp, setting up some sampling times, setting offsets - you can vary the offset between 2 thermocouples as there is usually a slight difference. I have only run this up to about 30C but the graphing looks good. It will be interesting to see how the lines track at roasting temp.
USB connection, USB powered.

This device is small, comes  ready to install on the computer, it has its own software you can use for logging but is ready to run with Artisan 6. There is a tiny bit of setup reqd for Artisan but it is well documented, you just need to read it carefully.

I will update this during the weekend when I have it on the CCR roaster and post a log.

Kevohere

Great work Chris.  :thumb: I'll be watching this very closely with interest as I'm still undecided which way and how to go fitting one to my CCR.  :tearhair:

sholayer

It has been a busier weekend than I expected, sunday evening and I am starting on installation now. I mounted the logger on the roaster with a #6 self tapper, disconnected the type k thermocouple from the temp controller and onto the logger, connected a type E from the CS meter. The logger doesnt like XP SP2 so I need to go up to SP3, downloading this now. Win 7 is great, I only have this on the main computer inside not on the roaster computer.

sholayer

The computer connected to the roaster is an old Pentium 2 with integrated graphics, no seperate card. All the software runs ok however it, as expected, runs smoothly on the main computer inside with Win 7 and a seperate video card. A smallish oldish laptop may find it hard work to run Artisan and others have commented they needed to reduce the sampling frequency. I have attached a screenshot from Artisan 6 of a warm up, the rise and fall is when I opened the bean dump door. It is not a roast cycle. I need to get 2 type K thermocouples - at present I have 1 unknown type, 1 K that came with the roaster but I am unsure of its accuracy. I also have to look at bit closer at sampling frequency and the plotting frequency. The my pclab unit has a sampling frequency as does Artisan so the second in line can have a much coarser sampling rate if it is already a coarse output from the first. So far the result has been great - the setup is so easy with Win 7 and WinXP SP3. I am only running on a old desktop, I dont have a laptop. In the next day or 2 I will put a thermocouple in boiling water and ice however I am not expecting anything much there as it is only depending on the thermocouple to show correct temps not the data logger. Nicely configurable, wide choice of inputs, small, USB, ticks most boxes for me.

Beanz

Artisan has some nice features. If you need custom thermocouples ie probe lengths, diameters, fittings/ threads, lead length off the back etc contact Industrial Thermocouple Supplies in Coffs Harbour, they will make to your specifications. Ask for Dave Rosser. They have made probes for me in the past and the quality of their work is excellent

Lacehim

How many $$$ are these?

sholayer

Lacehim I got mine for $155 delivered, Beanz thanks, just spoke to Dave, will get these going. I am fairly sure this is not an Arduino or TC4. I am going to try it on Roastlogger however I am fairly sure it wont work, being modbus or else it will take more setup than I am competent with.