Finally got serious about synchronizing the RTCs for multi-unit deployments to improve data quality for things like tide signal analysis. Clocks are sync’d the leading edge of a GPS time-pulse and the Aging register is tuned to reduce drift. The quid pro quo is that the reduced drift within the tuning temperature range increases non-linearity at more extreme temperatures. But our underwater/cave research sites are quite thermally stable compared to outdoor climate stations, so it’s worth that tradeoff. Setting Accurate RTC time with a GPS & the DS3231 Aging Offset to Reduce Drift | Underwater Arduino Data Loggers
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Just a note to let GOSH know that there have been several substantial updates to the serial interface to the logger base code over the last year. Most to enable smoother progress through lab activities when the EDU logger is used in courses. EDU model Github
You still have to uncomment defines to enable various sensors at startup but most of the other typical configuration steps are now menu driven:
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Another thing that’s become more refined over time is use of the logger in motion sensing mode:
Enabling the define PIRtriggersReading in the logger base code samples the other attached sensors only when the AM312 registers a heat signature. The ability to combine sensors like this expands the range of different projects that students can tackle for their final projects, and is relatively rare in other EDU loggers.
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Just posted a 3D printable file for a universal mounting bracket that accommodates both 30ml (self standing Caplug) and 50ml (Thermo NUNC) centrifuge tubes. This gets used primarily for out-door sensor mounting and the NTC calibration lab water baths. To hold the larger 50mL e360 student loggers down in the water baths attach six M10x30mmOD 2mm thick stainless steel washers to the flat underside face of the bracket with zip ties:
You can download the stl file from the e360 GitHub repo at:
https://github.com/EKMallon/e360-Classroom-Data-Logger-2023
as I still haven’t gotten around to sorting out a Thingyverse folder for the project.
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