Writing variable data to a file for long term analysis

[ISY4Me]

I have an issue with one of my heat pumps and I want to try to analyze what data I can capture in an attempt to predict the next failure.  
 

I did a search on writing data, but the few discussions that I found seem to assume the user knows what they are doing.  What I need is a dummy’s guide.  My plan is to setup some voltage and temperature sensors that will allow me to monitor a few points in the system, then based on system events I want to write what data I can capture for a longer term analysis. 
 

In the depths of the forum there is tons of info, but does anyone have a step by step perspective on how I would send the targeted data to a simple data file?

[paulbates]

There are different approaches, do any of these sound close?

• I use the paid for notifications plugin to write notifications to the pushover notification app. The notifications are from iox programs based on certain events or sensor limits. The pushover interface lets me filter down to what I'm looking for which has allowed me to learn what I need. It also allows export to a excel compatible csv file. It's important to have the end in mind when naming the notifications and arranging the data points so you can easily pull out what you want with the app.
   
• Another approach: It has been very helpful for tuning my iox programs to use yolink brand sensors and the plugin. The yolink app has graphs and data points built in so it's not been necessary to do the hard work of writing iox programs to capture data points and make graphs. I can just look at the graphs in the app.
  
  For temperature, I use the 8003 temp/humidity sensor which could be installed in a plenum or at a register. It can be used up to ~120 F so in range for home heating applications. Not sure what voltage you're looking for, but I use a yolink smartplug to monitor my dryer's on off. The dryer is plugged into it. I tuned it to the extremes of it running or not running, but the yolink plugin will return discrete runtime power consumption values that would be in their app.
   
• I've seen posts in the forum where there was a way to use network resources to write to a google sheet. I experimented with it but found it hard for me to do for the results I wanted.

 

[ISY4Me]

I have seen discussions relating to the Pushover app before.  That sounds like it could be a candidate for a receptor for data.  I would just have to explore the possibility and educate myself.  Thanks for the suggestion. 
 

As far as capturing the data I want… I know there will have to be devices out there. Temperature sensing with the ds18b20 I am already using.  I may want to attempt airflow rate as well… that might take some digging.  I have a few devices that measure current usage and I think they might report voltage as well, but I will have to research as I have not used that mode if it exists. 
 

This is a long term project, so focusing a way to save the data comes first. Data collection devices will be the 2nd stage. 
 

Thanks for the suggestion. 

[mjrush]

I use the Web Server Module to save data to files.

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/ISY-994i_Series_INSTEON:Networking#Web_Server_Module

I create my own log files if I want to keep track of something or record errors. It's like sending an email but it goes to a file. The file can be viewed in a web browser or you can copy it from eisy to another computer to view in Excel.

[Ross]

@ISY4Me Paul alluded to posting variables to a Google Sheet.  It took a little doing, but I have 4 Network Resources posting to a sheet:

1 Each Minute - mostly temperatures and other weather data

2 Upon Change - things happening around the house

3 Three times per day - Forecasts

4 End of Day - Memorializing certain days' events.

Please see my post in the attached. 

Ross

[ISY4Me]

Thank you @mjrush and @Ross. These both sound like they could be just what I am looking for.  I will start researching all the suggestions, including @paulbates inputs.