Methodology

Methods for Testing: 
Pre-Conditioning:
  1. Let Water & Sand & Test Chamber sit at room temperature for 24 hours.  
  2. Prepare Testing Box (Remove lid, clear of any contaminants, Check & prepare electronics)
  3. Fill test chamber with testing material (0.5 Cubic Ft). 
  4. Close the lid of the box.
  5. Check Arduino serial monitor is clear & set up to log data with timestamp activated.
Testing: 
  1. Using the upload button on Arduino software begin recording data.
  2. Filling test chamber trough with 64 Oz of water
  3. Turn on Mock-Sun 250W Heat Lamp. (If Applicable)
  4. Continue to record data for 40 mins. ​
  5. After 40 mins stop logging data. (Effectively done by unplugging the Arduino from its power source) 
  6. Save data 
  7. Clear testing material from testing chamber
  8. Repeat steps 1-8 with the next testing material. 
  9. Repeat step 8 until all materials have been tested.
Figure 11: Testing diagram which shows location of; Test Materials, Removable Chamber wall, Arduino Sensor & Heat Lamp
Material
Sun on/off
Other Notes:
Air
Off
Control (1)
Air
On
Control (2)
Sand
Off
Test Material (1)
Sand
On
Test Material (1)
Dirt
Off
Test Material (2)
Dirt
On
Test Material (2)
Gravel
Off
Test Material (3)
Gravel
On
Test Material (3)
Air - W/O Water
On
Temperature Gain Location Test (1)
​Air - W/O Water
Off
Temperature Gain Location Test (2)

 Prototype Preliminary Testing Data:

Figure 12: Line graph which shows results of Preliminary testing where sand is tested with heat lamp on. Pre-testing chamber corrections (Outlined in Construction Tab:)
Figure 13: Line graph which shows results of Preliminary testing where sand is tested with heat lamp on. Post-testing chamber corrections (Outlined in Construction Tab:) with preconditioned materials