Check and see if cap has temp/climate control timer for cheap and that should solve your problem.
Edit: sorry I think I initially misunderstood your problem (probably the scissor hash), I've got an oldschool one that I got in a garage sale and I need to by a climate controller and also need to just be able to have it turn on at night.
Look for the words "auto restart" when buying your portable a/c unit they are used for server rooms so when the power comes back on the A/C will start and goto programmed settings. They are a little more expensive but should do the trick.