These operating instructions go with the Green Roof Thermodynamic Model Instructable that can be found here. These instructions will guide the user in collecting data from the model that can be used to find the heat transfer between the two different roof models.

Step 1: Programming the Code

An Arduino Mega was programmed to collect data from the thermocouples and IR sensors. The arduino is powered by a rechargeable battery charged by solar panels. The code was written to store the outputs of the thermocouples and IR sensors using an SD card. The arduino took readings every 10 minutes over an 8-12 hour period - exposure time limited to sunlight duration.

Step 2: Running the Experiment

The box must be placed outside during a warm, sunny day for significant results. Once these conditions are met, the arduino can be turned on, and the model can be left alone for 8-12 hours to collect data. This is a pretty easy experiment to run after the arduino is programmed, as it is doing all the work. After time is up, the arduino can be turned off and the SD card removed. The SD card is then placed into a computer and the file extracted. This data was then exported into Excel. This data was used to create graphs of temperature over time to compare the thermal properties of the concrete roof and green roof.