The Data Logger
I used the QK145 kit from qkits.com. The kit was about $30 CAD, and I bought an additional 3 sensors (about $7 each), so I could fully populate the device.
The QK145 communicates with the host system over a RS-232 serial port at 2400 baud, 8, N, 1 (or 7, N, 2). It receives it's power from the host system's serial port, so no additional power supplies are required.
I found the company very good to deal with, and they kept me up to date as the order was processed.
The kit was easy to assemble in about 30 minutes and the included DOS program confirmed that it was working properly. The DOS application directly accesses the serial port, so it will not run in a protected-mode environment (i.e.: Windows NT/2K/XP/2K3). It will run in Windows 3.1/95/98.
When it is connected, and using Hyperterminal, it's output is similar to the following:
The first line is an identifier, and shows the firmware version, and that it is sending it's data in °C. It then sends the data for the 4 sensors, repeating with new readings for as long as power is supplied.
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