SQLite vs RRDtool for Sensor Logging on Raspberry Pi
Hardware used in this build
- Raspberry Pi 4
Used in the running shed build; works reliably. - Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB)
The always-on host for SensorRig. I run the 16GB board, but the Pi 5 is currently sold out — the Pi 4 4GB (linked) is plenty for DAQ work and this site. - RRDtool
Solid for fixed-retention rollups; migration to SQLite/WAL is the modern path. Keep running until replacement proves itself.
This guide is generated from data/guides.json and data/parts.json. Don’t edit by hand — edit the data.
Comparison
| Part | Role | Interface | Verdict | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 4 | 1-Wire master + villa collector | dtoverlay=w1-gpio; SQLite timeseries.db | yes | — |
| Used in the running shed build; works reliably. | ||||
| Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) | Always-on host: serves this site + runs the agent | — | yes (buy the 8GB; I run the 16GB) | — |
| The always-on host for SensorRig. I run the 16GB board, but the Pi 5 is currently sold out — the Pi 4 4GB (linked) is plenty for DAQ work and this site. | ||||
| RRDtool | Legacy round-robin time-series database | rrdtool CLI + Python rrdtool bindings | conditional | — |
| Solid for fixed-retention rollups; migration to SQLite/WAL is the modern path. Keep running until replacement proves itself. |
Verdict
Pick the part that matches your interface and accuracy needs. If you need humidity, prefer BME280 over BMP180. For long 1-Wire runs, DS18B20 is the most robust choice.
Disclosure: SensorRig is reader-supported. Some links may be affiliate links; if you buy through them I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Related reading
- How to Spot a Fake DS18B20 Temperature Sensor on a Raspberry Pi
Spot a fake DS18B20 on a Raspberry Pi: family-code check, sysfs CRC test, and ice/boil calibration against the datasheet. 3 of 7 probes in one batch were counterfeits, drifting 1.5–3.5 °C.
- SQLite Rollups and Retention: Stop Your Sensor DB From Eating the SD Card
How rollup tables and a retention policy keep a Raspberry Pi sensor SQLite database from growing unbounded — and why SD-card wear is rarely the real problem.
- CT Clamp Burden Resistor Calibration for ADS1115 on Raspberry Pi
CT clamp burden resistor calibration for ADS1115 on Raspberry Pi: pick the external burden, stabilise with a decoupling cap, and apply the DC-bias correction that separates a stable watt reading from drift — with the 51 Ω + 10 µF combination I actually measured.