Used TSOP38238 IR receiver hooked up to Pi Pico to sniff the IR packets sent by the remote control (see table). Managed to jerryrig another TSAL6200 IR LED to control the AC unit as well, but I needed roughly a 50% duty cycle and a very low resistance to get the same "range" as the stock remote. I used the night vision mode on my phone to see IR flashing and debug the circuit. I will devise a circuit schematic, box, and additional software this week to make this a WiFi-enabled controller where you can send custom packets.
Got a working, but slow, prototype. It does completely pinch the valve shut. 
