Prototype development of a Low Cost data logger for PV based LED Street Lighting System

The data logger is an electronic device that records data over time or in relation to location with a built in sensor. The need of data logger is to accomplish monitoring task of street lighting system based on PV Solar Cell in Jakarta province, especially in Thousand Island Regency. Existing PV LED street lighting has not equipped by data logger, therefore monitoring task is done by manually. Prototype developed based on a microcontroller, battery powered, and equipped with internal memory for data storage, and sensors. The system developed should be “Low Power Consumption”, “Low Cost”, portable and easily embedded inside the PV LED Street Lighting controller. One of the primary benefits of using data loggers is the ability to automatically collect data on a 24-hour basis, and time stamp of logging can be set (five minutes to one hour basis). Upon activation, data logger is left unattended to measure and record information for the duration of the monitoring period. This allows for a comprehensive, accurate picture of sub-system conditions being monitored, such as PV Solar Cell, Battery, Charger/Controller, LED Lamp and ambient temperature. Data loggers interface with a personal computer and utilize software to activate the data logger view and analyze the collected data to verify performance of PV Based LED Street Lighting System. The data logger can be used as a stand-alone device. The reports generated are including daily energy used, total energy used, charging or discharging status and failure condition. The power consumption measured of data logger is about 0.24W (20mA at 12V).