Contingency mode operating method for air conditioning system

In an air conditioning apparatus for conditioning air to be circulated to an enclosed space, a controller for controlling operation of said air conditioning apparatus including first and second microprocessors, and a user interface operably connected to said controller for commanding selected control functions by a user of said apparatus, a method of controlling said apparatus comprising the steps of:

• selecting a contingency mode of operation of said apparatus by way of said interface, wherein the contingency mode of operation is selected based on the controller failing to receive a signal;
• selecting, as part of the contingency mode of operation, at least one of a capacity of air conditioning to be produced by said apparatus and a duty cycle of said apparatus;
• initiating said contingency mode of operation;
• and
• aborting selecting said contingency mode of operation if one of a fault signal is received by said controller, power to one of said apparatus and said controller is interrupted, and a signal is received by said controller from a thermostat.

In an air conditioning apparatus for conditioning air to be circulated to an enclosed space, a controller for controlling operation of said air conditioning apparatus including at least a first microprocessor and a thermostat, and a user interface operably connected to said controller, said interface including a visual display and plural keys for commanding selected control functions by a user of said apparatus, a method of controlling said apparatus by way of said interface comprising the steps of:

• selecting a contingency mode of operation of said apparatus in response to a message on said display, wherein the contingency mode of operation is selected based on failing to receive a signal from the thermostat;
• selecting, as part of the contingency mode of operation, a capacity of air conditioning to be produced by said apparatus and a duty cycle of said apparatus in response to messages on said display;
• and
• initiating said contingency mode of operation.