I am sure that many of you are using Excel to do data capture, what are some suggestions as to a USB interface module that will allow multiple voltage or current readings.
Also, any suggestions on any built in timer functions in Excel?
Thanks,
pud
Danger
May8-08, 10:19 PM
Couldn't begin to tell you, pal... I'm a Mac guy.
mgb_phys
May8-08, 10:41 PM
Look at http://www.picotech.com/ they have examples of how to get data from their daa loggers ino excel.
Integral
May8-08, 10:59 PM
I have used Excel Visual Basic macros to capture data over a RS232 cable. I was unable to find code which allowed me to directly access a USB port thou I did not research it very far.
VB has a timer function, IIRC it does not quite work the way I wanted it to, but I could use to take timed measurements.
alt f11, will get you into the VB editor, use the help function, and find a reference for VB coding.
I am not sure what kind of module you are looking for, seems like you need a smart (at with some form of communications) instrument. You should be looking for an instrument, not a USB module.
russ_watters
May9-08, 05:14 PM
These instruments essentially have two or three parts: they need an interface module, a data acquisition component (in this case, something to read voltage and digitize it), and optionally, memory to log it. Here's an example of one my company sometimes uses: http://www.microdaq.com/supco/logit/lcv.php
These don't go realtime into Excel, you data log, then export to Excel later.
There may still be interface devices specifically designed to take a 0-10V signal, digitize it, and send it to a computer. You'd still need a voltage transformer to get the signal down to 0-10V.
FredGarvin
May10-08, 10:12 AM
Definitely data loggers are the way to go. I don't think I would trust a low voltage level on a serial line as the DAQ path. There would be too much room for signal distortion I would think.
dingpud
May13-08, 10:42 PM
I appreciate all of the responses, and I will continue to update as I get new information. I definitly want to try and keep it real time.
Data logger is what I was looking towards....guess it's time to go on ebay...
thanks all....
BTW...work has really been interupting the amount of time that i get to surf PF... any suggestions? Other than quitting?
Anhar Miah
Jun20-08, 01:39 PM
try this page also:
http://www.dataq.com/products/hardware/
look at the cheap USB ones too (with excel output)