Data recorder

I think it was hinted at (maybe too subtly?) in a different question that you raised, that a bit more detail can help people to help you.

Otherwise, it's a complete guess where you're going with the question.

Here's some tips:

How to Ask Questions using the Create Discussion tool

In particular, the section "Ideas for enhancing questions". (not all may apply, so you can use judgment on what's relevant).

If you apply some of the ideas, I think you'll get information that benefits you more, because if someone has an amount  of time to dedicate to you, then you'll squeeze most value for your problem to be solved.

Here, my slice of time has not helped you solve your specific problem at all. But my slice of time might have helped with your problem, if you'd raised your question with the detail that helps people.

Shab, do you ever post any responses that are more then just opinions ?

Hi,

On this topic yes, I've written, as have others, several articles on data recorders / loggers, and commented lots of times on those topics. The Search box at the top can be used to find articles on your desired topic, and for this particular topic there are dozens/hundreds of articles.

It might or might not help. I cannot say, since you have not stated your goal, and the objectives have little detail in the two sentences you wrote.

The link posted above could have helped you write these or establish these if you have not already done so. You're the one asking for help, you should understand the need to bring your question to the table with detail. It's not the first time.

There's often no single right answer, so you can expect to find opinions in responses, sometimes lots of opinions.

I feel that your comment is highly inappropriate.  shabaz is one of the most helpful members of this community and his posting was on the mark.  If you really want to get help for your question, the more information that you supply, the more members will be able to assist you.  Your question is a bit too vague for anyone to understand what you are really looking for (what kind of actions do you want to record? how many channels?, what kind of timing accuracy do you need?).  On my first read of this post, I just quickly moved on the other posts as I felt that there was nothing that I could add, which is interesting given that I once went into business building data loggers.

The advice you are getting from Shabaz is good advice. There are numerous knowledgeable people on this site and they are quite generous with their knowledge.  But if the response to member suggestions is a string of “that’s not what I’m looking for” because the query lacks information then eventually people will get tired of guessing what is wanted and you don’t want that.

Is mains voltage involved, are the data records to be be done at fixed intervals and if so how frequent, or is the data taken only when events occur, how many channels of data, and so on.  Tell us what it is for.

I'm trying to come up with a way to time/Date record a motion light when it goes off and on. Would that be a data recorder ? Data Logger ? I have no idea ? A single CPU ? .

Assuming this is for sensing light... There are numerous ways to do this.  For example, see this kit from Adafruit that adds a real time clock, SD card for storing data, battery power, and a light sensor to an Arduino.  But you could use any microcontroller with these features or perhaps a Raspberry Pi.  If the microcontroller has WiFi connection you could log the data on the "cloud" and access it from anywhere.  Rather than using a light sensor you could sense the current to the light if it is mains powered to see when it comes on.  It will depend on the level of sophistication you are trying to achieve and your own skills.

can you post the actual address link to the kit your suggesting ?

And when you say "Mains" power ? your referring to household voltage ? (Here in the U.S. it's 120v)

But I could still sense the currant even if it's on a batt power couldn't I ?

Go to adafruit.com and search for "1141" which is their product number.

Yes, can sense DC voltage with a microcontroller which would tell if the light is being powered.  Take care that the voltage does not exceed the rating of the microcontroller pin.