Refrigeration equipment Atlant is deservedly popular due to its reliability and ease of operation, but sometimes users are faced with the non-standard task of completely turning off the freezer. This may be necessary to save energy if you are not using freezing, or to allow defrosting and cleaning without affecting the main compartment. Understanding the structure of your unit is the first step to correctly solving this problem, since the methods differ radically depending on the cooling system.
It is important to immediately note that, by design, most household models Atlant do not provide for independent shutdown of the freezer when the main compartment is running, if we are talking about systems with one compressor. In such cases, cooling occurs along a single circuit or through a common refrigerant, and shutting off the cold in one zone is impossible without stopping the entire system. However, modern two-compressor models give owners much more flexibility in controlling temperature conditions.
Before you begin any manipulations with the control panel or electrical network, you must clearly identify the type of your device. Incorrect actions can lead to spoilage of food in the refrigerator compartment or even failure of the compressor due to frequent cycles of on and off. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithms of action for different series of equipment and explain the technical nuances of the operation of thermostats.
Determining the type of Atlant cooling system
The first and most critical step is to determine the number of compressors in your refrigerator. It is this parameter that dictates all further logic of action. If you have a model with one compressor, then it will not be possible to physically separate the cold flows or stop freezing separately from the refrigeration chamber - they are connected by a common refrigerant circulation system. In such units, turning off the freezer means turning off the entire refrigerator.
The situation changes dramatically if you own a model with two compressors. In such devices, for example, series Atlant XM-6021 or XM-6025, independent circuits are responsible for the freezing and refrigerating chambers. This allows you to turn off one of the units, leaving the second to operate normally. You can determine the number of motors by the technical data sheet, by the presence of two temperature controllers on the front panel, or by the sound of the engine running.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to “silence” the freezer in in a single-circuit system by blocking the air ducts or forcibly changing sensor readings can lead to freezing of the evaporator and breakdown of the compressor.
It is also worth paying attention to the presence of the system No Frost. In models with this system, turning off the freezer is often implemented programmatically through an electronic control unit, while in classic systems with drip defrosting the control is often mechanical. An incorrect interpretation of the system type can lead to you looking for non-existent buttons or, conversely, trying to programmatically disable a unit that requires physical intervention.
- 🔍 Check the technical data sheet of the device: it always indicates the number of compressors and the type of system.
- 🔍 Look at the back wall: two compressors are usually located next to each other and have two separate capacitors.
- 🔍 Pay attention to the control panel: the presence of two independent regulators or two displays is a sure sign of a dual-circuit system.
Shutdown methods in two-compressor models
If your model Atlant is equipped with two compressors, the problem is solved quite simply and elegantly. In such refrigerators, each compressor has its own thermostat or electronic controller. To turn off the freezer, you need to find the regulator that is responsible specifically for the lower compartment (usually it is marked with a snowflake or the inscription “Freezer”).
In mechanical models, control is carried out by turning the thermostat knob. You need to turn the handle counterclockwise until it stops. In some modifications, the extreme counterclockwise position is indicated by a number 0 or an inscription OFF. When the regulator is moved to this position, the electrical circuit that powers the freezer compressor opens, and it stops working, while the refrigerator compartment continues to cool the food.
In electronic models Atlant the process looks even more technologically advanced. The front panel contains a display and touch buttons. You need to press the mode button (usually it switches the display between the refrigerator and freezer compartments) until the freezer light comes on. After this, holding down the temperature adjustment button or the special shutdown button, you need to set the temperature value to maximum (usually +5°C or higher) or activate the mode OFF.
☑️ Algorithm for shutting down the two-compressor Atlanta
It is worth considering that after turning off the freezer compressor, the temperature inside it will begin to gradually increase. Foods that require deep freezing may spoil within a few hours, so it is recommended that you either eat them or transfer them to another storage location. Complete defrosting and warming up to room temperature can take from 4 to 8 hours, depending on the load in the chamber and the ambient temperature in the room.
Features of single-circuit systems and drip defrosting
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with one compressor will have to face technical limitations. In these units, the refrigerant passes through the freezer evaporator and then through the refrigerator compartment evaporator (or vice versa, depending on the design). There is only one thermostat in such models, and it controls the temperature either in the refrigerator compartment or the average temperature, but it cannot stop circulation only in the freezer.
The only way to “turn off” the freezer in a single-circuit refrigerator is to completely stop the compressor. However, if your goal is simply to defrost the unit, then this is a standard procedure. For classic models with a “crying” wall, defrosting is recommended to be carried out regularly, approximately once every six months, so that the layer of ice on the evaporator does not exceed 5-10 mm, which significantly affects energy consumption.
The manual defrosting process requires time and preparation. You need to unplug the appliance, remove all food and leave the doors open. To speed up the process, you can use special plastic scrapers (but not metal ones!) to carefully remove the ice. It is strictly forbidden to use hair dryers, hot water or heating devices to accelerate the melting of ice, since a sharp temperature change can damage the plastic inner casing or cause cracks in the evaporator tubes.
- ❄️ Ice crust more than 1 cm thick increases energy consumption by up to 30%.
- ❄️ Using sharp objects for chipping ice threatens to break the evaporator tubes and leak freon.
- ❄️ After defrosting, be sure to wipe the internal surfaces with a dry rag before turning it on.
Why can’t you turn on the refrigerator immediately after defrosting?
After defrosting, the compressor must “stand” for at least 2-3 hours before restarting launch. This is necessary to ensure that any oil that may have mixed with the refrigerant or drained into the circuit during shutdown is returned to the compressor crankcase. Starting “dry” or with oil in the circuit can lead to water hammer and motor failure.
Super Freeze mode and its effect on operation
Many users confuse the Super Freeze (Super Freeze) mode with the ability to control the freezer. In fact, this feature is designed to do the opposite - it forces the freezer compressor to run continuously, without stopping to rest, to quickly freeze a large mass of fresh food. In refrigerators Atlant this mode is usually activated by a button with a picture of a snowflake or the inscription SF.
Using this mode is relevant when you have loaded several kilograms of meat or berries into the freezer. If you leave the compressor in normal mode, the temperature of already frozen products may temporarily increase due to the heat gain from the new load, which will lead to their partial defrosting and subsequent crystallization, spoiling the structure of the product. The super freeze mode prevents this process.
It is important not to forget to turn off this function in time. On mechanical models, Super Freeze often does not have an automatic shut-off timer, and if you forget to turn the switch back to normal, the compressor will wear out and food may freeze. In electronic models Atlant this mode usually turns off automatically after 24-72 hours or by user command.
| Parameter | Normal mode | Mode Super freezing | Rest / Eco mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor operation | Cyclic (on/off) | Continuous | Rare cycles / Off |
| Temperature in the freezer | -18°C | Up to -24°C and below | Above -18°C or defrosting |
| Energy consumption | Normal | Maximum | Minimum |
| Purpose | Daily storage | Fresh food freezing | Energy saving / Vacation |
Electronic control and display panels
Modern refrigerators Atlant series Indesit (produced at Atlant facilities) or new lines of their own brand are often equipped with electronic control modules. Here, turning off the freezer is done through the menu. The interface may vary depending on the year of release, but the logic remains similar. The display shows the current temperature, and by pressing the corresponding button, you can change the setpoint.
To enter the shutdown mode, a long press (3-5 seconds) on the freezer temperature adjustment button is often required. In this case, a flashing indicator or symbol may appear on the display --, which indicates the transition to the setup mode. Next, use the “plus” or “minus” buttons to set the maximum temperature or select the shutdown option.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the control panel is locked from accidental presses (Child Lock function). In this case, any attempts to change the settings will be ignored by the device. To unlock, you usually need to press and hold a button with a picture of a lock or a combination of buttons specified in the instructions. Without removing the lock, you will not be able to turn off the freezer.
⚠️ Attention: Electronic control units are sensitive to power surges. If you plan to unplug the refrigerator from the outlet, do it after a pause after stopping the compressor to avoid damage to the controller.
Energy efficiency and food storage when the freezer is turned off
Disconnecting the freezer in two-compressor models Atlant is an effective way to save energy, especially if you rarely use freezing. Energy consumption can be reduced by almost half, since the freezer is one of the main energy consumers in household appliances due to the need to maintain low temperatures.
However, if you turn off the freezer not permanently, but temporarily, it is important to properly prepare the camera. After defrosting and drying, it is recommended to leave the freezer door slightly open. This will prevent the appearance of a musty smell and the development of mold inside a closed, dark space. You can insert a small spacer or simply not close the door completely.
If the freezer turns off but remains closed with food that you plan to store at temperatures above 0°C (for example, vegetables in a vacuum or some types of canned food), you should understand the risks. The temperature in the switched off but closed chamber will remain higher than in the room due to the inertia of the cold, but over time it will become equal to room temperature. For long-term storage of products in this mode, it is better to use the “Vacation” mode (if there is one), which maintains the temperature around +10...+12°C, preventing spoilage.
Is it possible to permanently turn off one compressor in two-compressor refrigerator, breaking the circuit?
Technically this is possible, but it is not recommended to do it without professional skills. Directly breaking the wires can disrupt the operation of the electronic control unit, which is waiting for feedback from the thermostat. It is better to use standard temperature controllers, turning them to the OFF position. This is safe and does not violate the warranty.
Why did a smell appear in the refrigerator after turning off the freezer?
The smell appears due to the growth of bacteria in residual moisture or microparticles of food. When turning off the freezer, be sure to rinse the freezer with a solution of soda or vinegar and leave the door open until completely dry. The use of odor absorbers (activated carbon, silica gel) will also help solve the problem.
Does frequent shutdown of the freezer affect the service life of the compressor?
Switching off through the temperature controller itself does not harm the compressor, since this is the normal operating mode (cycling). Only frequent switching on and off of the device itself from the outlet is harmful. If you use a standard regulator 0/OFF, the compressor resource is consumed normally.
What to do if, after turning on, the freezer does not freeze?
If, after moving the regulator from position OFF to operating mode, the freezer does not start cooling within 2-3 hours, check that the door is closed tightly. If the problem persists, there may be an electronic failure or a freon leak. In this case, you need to call a technician for diagnostics.