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From: jgd@rsiatl.UUCP (John G. DeArmond)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,sci.misc
Subject: Re: Where can I buy an inexpensive strip chart recorder?
Message-ID: <3985@rsiatl.UUCP>
Date: 13 Sep 90 05:04:51 GMT
References: <1990Sep12.162833.15567@wrl.dec.com>
Followup-To: sci.electronics
Organization: Radiation Systems, Inc. (a thinktank, motorcycle, car and gun works facility)
Lines: 37

reid@wrl.dec.com (Brian Reid) writes:


>I want to buy a "strip chart recorder". I thougrht this was a very well-known
>device, but I just got back from my local electronics store (Fry's) and the
>staff there didn't even know what one was. So maybe I need to remind you that
>a strip chart recorder is a box that has an analog input, a roll of paper, a
>clock motor to drive the paper, and a pen. The pen wiggles up and down
>according to the signal applied to the analog input.

Probably one of the cheapest "real" chart recorders is the Rustrak unit.
This recorder uses pressure-sensitive ~2" chart and has a meter movement
with a pointer that is struck against the paper by a "beater bar" at 
frequent intervals.  The unit typically comes with a gear set that
enables you to change the chart speed and the typical input is 0-1 madc.
It should cost about $170 or so.

Probably the easist source to deal with would be Omega Engineering
(800) 826 6342.  They'll take your credit card order and ship from
stock.  Ask them to send you their ~20 pounds of catalogs while you
are at it.  One of the most useful is their "Book of Books", a ~2"
thick catalog of technical and reference books.

If your environment can support it and you have a PC, you might also
consider an inexpensive data acquisition card and some software like
LabMaster.  This combination will turn your PC and a printer into
an intelligent strip chart recorder plus you can capture your data
for further analysis.  You should be able to get the combo for
less than $600, hopefully much less.

John

-- 
John De Armond, WD4OQC  | We can no more blame our loss of freedom on congress
Radiation Systems, Inc. | than we can prostitution on pimps.  Both simply
Atlanta, Ga             | provide broker services for their customers.
{emory,uunet}!rsiatl!jgd|  - Dr. W Williams |                **I am the NRA**