Temperature control apparatus and method of determining malfunction

A method of monitoring operation of a temperature control apparatus, the temperature control apparatus including a controller, a refrigeration circuit extending between a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, and a drive unit drivingly connected to the compressor, the drive unit having a fuel supply, a plurality of cylinders, a fuel line extending between the fuel supply and the plurality of cylinders, and a rack positioned along the fuel line, the rack being moveable to control fuel flow between the fuel supply and the plurality of cylinders, the rack including a position sensor, the position sensor being in communication with the controller, the method comprising:

• directing air across the evaporator;
• adjusting the rack;
• recording a rack position with the position sensor;
• calculating a fuel consumption rate using the rack position;
• calculating an actual output power of the drive unit using the fuel consumption rate;
• calculating an expected output power of the drive unit;
• and
• comparing the actual output power of the drive unit and the expected output power of the drive unit to predict malfunctions of the temperature control apparatus.

A method of monitoring operation of a temperature control apparatus, the temperature control apparatus including a controller, a refrigeration circuit extending between a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, and a drive unit operably connected to the compressor, the drive unit having a fuel supply, a plurality of cylinders, a fuel line extending between the fuel supply and the plurality of cylinders, and a sensor positioned between the fuel supply and the plurality of cylinders to record fuel flow, the method comprising:

• directing air across the evaporator;
• recording a fuel flow rate with the sensor;
• calculating an actual output power of the drive unit using the fuel flow rate;
• calculating an expected output power of the drive unit;
• and
• comparing the actual output power of the drive unit and the expected output power of the drive unit to predict malfunctions of the temperature control apparatus.