Cheap Data Acquisition Card and Software

One place that advertises as being "low cost" is Measurement Computing Corp

http://www.measurementcomputing.com/index.html

They have very many flavors to choose from.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I will check it out. Have you used anything from them?

ECUDesigner

I have not personally used one of their items, but we do have some here at my workplace (the newer USB based ones), and I'm pretty sure those who do use them have been pleased with them.

Tom

Consider USB based devices rather than plug-in cards as these will usually be cheaper. A Google search for "USB ADC" should get results.

What are your sampling rate requirements for each input? What outputs are you needing? What computer do you have available for this system and will it be a dedicated computer?

The sampling rate can be variable to 10, 000 hertz. I dont need any outputs and I will just be using a simple laptop. I like the software to be easy to use and I could just import the results into a spreadsheet.

ECUDesigner

I have a couple of DAQ 56 modules from Omega Engineering. They are pretty cheap and simple to use. Botyh digital and analog input as well as frequency/pulse. Can be configured directly to run any type of thermocouple from base menu. Has a software option that runs as an add-on to microsoft excel. Check out http://www.omega.com/ppt/pptsc.asp?ref=OMB-DAQ55

Hi AcesFull,

That looks like a good setup. We are looking at the sensors from Omega anyway so will look into this offering too.

Thanks,

ECUDesigner

I have also found them to have excellent customer service, which is HUGE in my opinion. Good luck.