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SpaceLogger® Knowledge Centre

For information on the following topics, follow the links below:

 

FAQs:

TextLogger

WindLogger

 

TextLogger

Can I use an SD card in my SpaceLogger-RS?

Yes, probably...

Nearly all SD cards are MMC compatible, therefore an SD card should work in a SpaceLogger-RS. However, SDHC cards (high capacity SD cards) are not currently compatible with our loggers.

NB: SD cards are physically thicker than MMC cards - whereas a SpaceLogger-RS will accept an SD card, other pieces of equipment, specifically designed for MMC cards, may not .

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What happens when the memory card is full?

When the memory card is completely full of data, the SpaceLogger will stop recording data. The green LED will switch off indicating the SpaceLogger is unable to store data.

The SpaceLogger will not overwrite the data files of data already recorded.

For many applications, the 2GB capacity of the memory card means that a card-full situation is only going to happen after many years of recording. For applications with higher data output, e.g. weather station data logging, the card will require regular change out - the frequency will depend on the sample rate (logging interval), the number of characters output each sample and the size of the memory card used.

See below for examples of memory card data capacities.

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What are the differences between a TextLogger and a WindLogger?

For a comparison between the function and features of the TextLogger and WindLogger please go to Which SpaceLogger?

If the exact features and function that you require for your application are not found in our standard models and you are interested in a quantity of units, please refer to our OEM pages and contact us to discuss your application.  We may be able to quote you for a customised SpaceLogger.

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Can a SpaceLogger output power?

Yes.

Modification is required to the SpaceLogger circuit board to enable power out.

With the standard circuit board, when power is supplied via the DC socket or terminals 1 and 2, power out via terminals 1 and 2 is not available.

When the circuit board is modified, a fused output is available via terminals 1 and 2. This fused output can be used for powering a WindSonic sensor or other any other compatible device.

For details on how this modification may be carried out, please refer to the following document:

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WindLogger

Can I use a WindLogger to log NMEA output from a GPS?

Yes.

To configure the WindLogger to recognise the NMEA sentence required, a SETUP.TXT file needs to be created and loaded to the logger. The baud rate needs to be changed and the start <STX> and end <ETX> characters modified from the WindLogger defaults.

For example, the record the RMC sentence from a GPS outputting NMEA, the SETUP.TXT file needs to contain:

BAUD=4800
STX=82
ETX=10

where 82 is the character 'R'

and 10 is line feed 'LF'

[For a table of ASCII characters and their values, refer here...]

The start and end characters need to be unique single characters encompassing the string of data that you wish to log.

Refer to the WindLogger User Manual for instructions on loading the SETUP.TXT file to your WindLogger.

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Why does the green LED not light up when I set up the time and date on my WindLogger?

Ensure that the AUTO.TXT file containing your start time and date is located in the root directory of the MMC mobile memory card.

The AUTO.TXT file must not be in the folder DATA or the WindLogger will not find it. If the WindLogger does not find the file, when the button is pressed on the WindLogger (with the intention of setting the real time clock) it thinks you want to stop logging, so the buffer is purged and both LED's go out to indicate the card is safe to remove.

Refer to the WindLogger User Manual for instructions on writing and loading the AUTO.TXT file correctly to your WindLogger.

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What do the red and green LED's mean on my WindLogger?

Green LED on: card ready to receive data

Red LED blink: data transferring to card

No LED's on: card full (or logging manually stopped)

♫ 4 Beeps a minute: No time & data set (refer to User Manual to set up)

 

NB: Before removing the MMC mobile memory card, press the button and wait for both LED's to go out.

 

Refer to the WindLogger User Manual for more details.

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Why can I not see all the data from one day's logging in MS Excel?

Excel has a limited number of rows of data that may be displayed in a single worksheet. When you open a large .CSV file in Excel it will show an error message 'file not loaded completely' and will only display as many rows as fill one worksheet and ignore the remainder of the data.

When logging with a WindLogger, if the sample rate is set to more than once per second, a 24 hr period will contain more data records than Excel's limit.

It will either be necessary to save the .CSV data file into smaller files that Excel can handle, or if you are logging data from a WindSonic sensor, to utilise the free Excel spreadsheet, WindLog, available here.

WindLog contains a macro to import data files from a WindLogger if they are recorded from a WindSonic sensor. Each file is broken up into as many worksheets as required to store all the data. A graph of wind speed against time is generated for each worksheet. The data files may then be manipulated as desired for further analysis.

WindLog is free to download from our website - click here.

 

NB: WindLog v1.0 is only compatible with wind speed and direction data recorded from a WindSonic sensor. However, the spreadsheet and macro could be modified to suit a sensor with a different output format.

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How many days' wind data can a WindLogger record?

The length of time a WindLogger can log for will depend on the type of sensor attached (with respect to how many bytes of data are output per reading), the logging interval selected and the capacity of the MMC mobile memory card used.

A WindSonic sensor outputs up to 41 bytes of data per reading.

The standard MMC mobile memory card we supply has 2GB capacity, this is the maximum capacity card that the WindLogger is compatible with.

The table below shows, in theory, how long a WindLogger could be left to record data from a WindSonic sensor with the range of logging intervals available. In practice we would recommend swapping out the memory card once a month. This ensures the system is checked in case of accidental loss of power or damage to another part of the system etc.

  WindSonic Logging Interval (Readings per time interval)
Memory Card Size 4 per sec 2 per sec 1 per sec 1 per 2 sec 1 per 5 sec 1 per 10 sec
128 MB 9 days 18 days 37 days 75 days 189 days 378 days
512 MB 37 days 75 days 151 days 303 days 757 days >4 years
1 GB 75 days 151 days 303 days 606 days >4 years >8 years
2 GB 151 days 303 days 606 days >3 years >8 years >16 years

(approx figures only)

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Can I use an SD card in my SpaceLogger-RS?

Yes, probably...

Nearly all SD cards are MMC compatible, therefore an SD card should work in a SpaceLogger-RS. However, SDHC cards (high capacity SD cards) are not currently compatible with our loggers.

NB: SD cards are physically thicker than MMC cards - whereas a SpaceLogger-RS will accept an SD card, other pieces of equipment, specifically designed for MMC cards, may not.

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Can I use a WindLogger to record data from a sensor outputting RS422 or RS485?

Yes.

You will require a suitable RS422/485 to RS232 converter before the WindLogger.

If you are using a WindSonic sensor with RS422/485 output with our WS-15A display then you don't require an additional converter as our WS-15A display unit does the necessary signal conversion for you.

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What happens when the memory card is full?

When the memory card is completely full of data, the SpaceLogger will stop recording data. The green LED will switch off indicating the SpaceLogger is unable to store data.

The SpaceLogger will not overwrite the data files of data already recorded.

For many applications, the 2GB capacity of the memory card means that a card-full situation is only going to happen after many years of recording. For applications with higher data output, e.g. weather station data logging, the card will require regular change out - the frequency will depend on the sample rate (logging interval), the number of characters output each sample and the size of the memory card used.

See below for examples of memory card data capacities.

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Is it possible to log continuously using a WindLogger?

Yes.

When the logging interval is left as default (i.e. no links), the WindLogger will look for every STX that it receives and will record every incidence of the data between the defined STX and ETX characters.

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How does the WindLogger's logging interval timing work?

When a logging interval is selected, using the links, the WindLogger synchronises capture of data with its real time clock.

So, if a 10 second logging interval is selected, the logger waits until there has been a 10 second tick and then looks for the start of the data. One data string is then captured (i.e. everything between one STX and ETX) and then it waits until the next 10 second tick before trying to capture more data.

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What are the differences between a TextLogger and a WindLogger?

For a comparison between the function and features of the TextLogger and WindLogger please go to Which SpaceLogger?

If the exact features and function that you require for your application are not found in our standard models and you are interested in a quantity of units, please refer to our OEM pages and contact us to discuss your application.  We may be able to quote you for a customised SpaceLogger.

Top of page

Can a SpaceLogger output power?

Yes.

Modification is required to the SpaceLogger circuit board to enable power out.

With the standard circuit board, when power is supplied via the DC socket or terminals 1 and 2, power out via terminals 1 and 2 is not available.

When the circuit board is modified, a fused output is available via terminals 1 and 2. This fused output can be used for powering a WindSonic sensor or other any other compatible device.

For details on how this modification may be carried out, please refer to the following document:

Top of page

 

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