Arduino Uno + Grove = Ultimate Boat Sensor

We've been pretty busy on the boat front lately but nothing solid yet.  Still working on all aspects.

On another front, I've been working on the ultimate boat sensor setup.  I've combined an Arduino Uno and a Grove Base Shield along with the following sensors:
1) Real Time Clock

2) MQ-5 Gas Sensor (LPG, NG, little alcohol..)
3) Barometer
4) Temp and Humidity
5) MQ-2 Gas Sensor (LPG, i-butane, alcohol)
6) Compass
7) I2C Chain (Can use up to 7 I2C devices)
8) Compass
9) Moisture Meter
10) Air Quality Sensor (Carbon Monoxide,..)
11) Light Sensor
12) 2 Relays
13) Motor Control for 2 small motors
14) GPS  (Backup, location/time for logging data)

All the sensors are from Seeed Studio purchased from EpicTinker.com.  The Arduino has a USB port so all the sensors will output a NEMA0183 type sentence which can be read from any MFD or software.  Should be fun.  Future enhancements will be motion detector and maybe a touch sensor and WiFi.  The Arduino is a lot of fun to work with and uses very little juice so we may have a few more for other things???

This should cover a lot of thing that might go wrong on the boat but also monitor our environment as we travel through uncharted territory.

Finished "The Ice Master" book last week, very well done, recommended reading.

Cheers,
LJ

Preparing for Arctic Sailing

In preparation for our Arctic sailing adventure, I've been putting together a list of books on the subject and reading what's available on the web.  I've read a few over the years, my favorite is actually Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.  I know it's an Antarctic adventure but I hold it as one of the most amazing pieces of seamanship ever accomplished.  Captain Bligh is of course is my other.  Another of my favorites is the story of Dave & Jaja Martin's arctic journey chronicled in their book, Into the Light.

The biggest thing I take away from all the books is that the more prepared you are, the better your journey will be.  I guess this should be obvious but so many of the polar expeditions left ill prepared and equipped, it's astonishing.  The thrill of leaving and the adventure ahead left many men in fates still unknown.

I'm lucky in that we have over two years to get our act together.  My list so far is outlined below, any additions or suggestions appreciated!  I'll go over each of these in separate posts to get as many eyes on them as possible so as not to miss anything.

Boat - Getting the best possible yacht within budget to complete the trip.
Navigation - Charts, Radar, GPS, AIS, Ice reports, Weather Reports.
Clothing - Foul weather gear, layers, gloves, boots, hats, goggles.
Sustainability - Heating, provisions, water making, fuel, sails.
Schooling - Home school activities for kids.
Science - Preparing for experiments and data recording while sailing.
Research - Being ready by learning from past voyages.
Communications - Regular tracking, voice, data, email and emergency.
Safety - Life raft, ditch bag, life jackets, survival suits, comms.
Backup - Parts, systems, etc.
Admin - Insurance, regulations, medical and visas.
Crew - Selection!

LJ