How to fix through-the-wall AC Unit Rigged by Landlord to shut down based on outdoor thermometer

[jhmod]

My apartment has a pair of Sears 253.8765072 through-the-wall AC units. From what I have been told, the landlord rigged them with some sort of outside temperature or light sensor that turns off the compressor at night. This means I get super cold air during the day, but my apartment turns into a sweatbox at night. Even if I turn it on High, the compressor refuses to go on. I don't know if this was a stock option for this model. It is driving me crazy. I need to be able to control the temperature in my apartment 24X7. I am paying for the electricity, so if I choose to have it at 65 every night, I have every right to do it. The landlord's "advice" was for me to install ANOTHER unit in each room. No way I am going to do that. 

The outdoor temperature is immaterial. I live indoors.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to undo this "modification" or how to modify it to get the units to work normally? I'd really appreciate it!

[evaappliance]

this sounds more like a landlord problem than a appliance problem ,  sorry !   he sounds like a real dunderhead ! 

[Terry Carmen]

Quote

Does anyone have any ideas on how to undo this "modification" or how to modify it to get the units to work normally? I'd really appreciate it!

If ACs aren't maintained properly (clean coils, etc.) they'll freeze up at night and stop cooling.

However if this happens at the same time every night, you could call a discrete tech and have him fix whatever the problem is. 

Edited May 21, 2022 by Terry Carmen

[MrApplianceMatt]

The power company out here in NC offers some sort of load distribution device (optional for a "discount" on our bill. Saw little to no impact except on performance) that operates similarly and will control the condenser/compressor unit during high load times of the day. We had an HVAC tech come out and tell us it's bad for the compressor and he unhooked it and said the power company will never know the difference. I concur with @Terry Carmen, call a service tech. If he's like us, he hates scummy landlords too and will hook you up. It'll be worth your money.

[jhmod]

On 5/21/2022 at 1:05 PM, Terry Carmen said:

If ACs aren't maintained properly (clean coils, etc.) they'll freeze up at night and stop cooling.

However if this happens at the same time every night, you could call a discrete tech and have him fix whatever the problem is. 

It having an outdoor thermometer an option on these units? Is this typically done?

[evaappliance]

7 hours ago, jhmod said:

It having an outdoor thermometer an option on these units? Is this typically done?

i have never heard of it ,  the only thing i can think of in the defense of the landlord is that renters are the worlds worst about cranking the thermostat wide open on a hot day and not turning it back down at night , thus freezing the unit up , then calling the landlord up and complaining when if they would just leave the thermostat alone it would be fine.

you can tell them till your blue in the face not to do that ,but they still do it .  IF what he did was to keep this from happening i can understand , but anything else would just be crazy landlord territory in my opinion   

[Terry Carmen]

8 hours ago, jhmod said:

It having an outdoor thermometer an option on these units? Is this typically done?

It could be absolutely anything.

• Timer
• Photo-control
• Thermostat
• "Smart Home" control
• Off-peak load device
• Something else

Someone will need to look at it to know for sure.

Edited May 25, 2022 by Terry Carmen