Many owners of two-chamber refrigerators Atlant face the need to isolate one of the chambers, most often the top freezer, to save energy or if it fails. Turning off the upper chamber —the procedure is not always obvious, since in most household models it is technically impossible to physically turn off only the freezer, leaving the lower refrigerating compartment to work without interfering with the control circuit.
However, there are ways to minimize energy consumption or completely stop the operation of the unit by preserving food in the lower compartment through natural cold or short-term storage. In this article we will analyze in detail which models Atlant allow flexible control of zones, how to operate thermostats correctly and why in systems No Frost complete shutdown of one camera without losing the functionality of the second is impossible.
Before proceeding with any manipulations, it is important to understand that the standard a household refrigerator is a single refrigeration system. The compressor in Atlant refrigerators cools both evaporators at once (or one common one), so it is impossible to stop the circulation of the refrigerant only at the top using standard methods. However, there are technical solutions and operating modes that will help solve your problem.
The principle of operation of Atlant two-chamber systems
To correctly answer the question of how to turn off the top, you need to understand the structure of the unit. Classic models Atlant with a drip defrosting system use one compressor and one cooling circuit. The refrigerant passes through the evaporator in the freezer compartment, and then through the weeping evaporator in the refrigerator compartment. Thermoregulator usually installed in the refrigerator compartment and controls the temperature there by starting and stopping the motor-compressor.
If you try to “turn off” the top by simply blocking the access of cold, you will upset the thermal balance. In models with a No Frost system, the situation is even more complicated: there is one common evaporator located behind the rear wall of the freezer, and the cold is pumped into the lower compartment by a fan through the air ducts. Stopping the fan or heater will cause the bottom to stop cooling.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to physically break the electrical circuit of the fan or heating element in the No Frost system without special knowledge can lead to failure of the control module or burnout of the compressor due to a violation of heat exchange.
There are two-compressor models Atlant, where each camera has its own motor. In this case, the issue is resolved simply: using the temperature regulator, you unscrew the handle of the upper chamber to the “0” or “Off” position. But such models are in the minority in the mass segment. In other cases, we are dealing with simulating a shutdown or switching to specific modes.
Models with electronic control and the “Vacation” mode
Modern refrigerators Atlant with an electronic control unit often have a function that partially solves the problem of saving energy. This is the so-called Vacation mode (Vacation). Although it does not turn off the freezer completely, it switches the refrigerator compartment to a minimum consumption mode or completely stops its operation, maintaining a temperature of about +15°C, which prevents the appearance of mold and odor.
Activation of this mode allows you to store food in the freezer (top chamber), while the lower one is actually “disconnected” from active freezing of new products, but also does not defrost completely. To activate, you need to press the corresponding button on the control panel or hold it for several seconds until the indicator lights up.
- 🔹 Find on the control panel a button with an image of a palm tree, a sun or an inscription
Vacation. - 🔹 Press and hold the button for 3-5 seconds until the sound signal.
- 🔹 Make sure that the display the corresponding indicator came on, and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment stopped decreasing.
It is important to note that in some modifications Atlant with electronics you can independently regulate the temperature. If you set the temperature in the upper chamber as low as possible (for example, -18°C or -24°C), and in the lower chamber - high (+8°C...+10°C), you will achieve an effect in which the top works intensively, and the bottom almost “sleeps”. However, it will not be possible to completely stop the compressor if cold is required at the top.
Mechanical shutdown through the thermostat
In models with mechanical control, which uses thermostat (thermostat) with a rotary knob, the principle of operation is based on opening the electrical circuit when a certain temperature is reached. A standard thermostat Atlant (for example, TAM or K-59 series) does not have an “off” position for a separate chamber, if there is only one for both circuits.
However, if your refrigerator has a two-compressor, then you can turn off the upper chamber, by turning the thermostat knob responsible for the freezer counterclockwise until it clicks or stops. In single-compressor models, turning the knob to the minimum position (usually the number 1 or a dot) will simply make the temperature in the chamber higher, but will not stop the cooling cycle completely, since the sensor is located in the lower compartment.
It is technically possible to replace the standard thermostat with a model with forced shutdown, but this requires intervention in the design:
- ❄️ Dismantling the old one thermostat and removing the protective casing.
- ❄️ Installing a new sensor with an “Off” button or using an external circuit breaker.
- ❄️ Re-adjusting the length of the capillary tube, which requires a skilled technician.
Unnecessarily, it is not recommended to open the housing thermostat. Capillary tube the inside is very thin and easily damaged, which will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs of the entire system.
☑️ Check before tampering with the electrical system
Nuances of operating the No Frost system
Refrigerators Atlant with technology No Frost are designed differently than their drip counterparts. There is no division between “top” and “bottom” in terms of the source of cold. The single evaporator is located in the freezer (usually at the top), and a fan drives cold air downward. If you try to turn off the top, you will automatically turn off the bottom.
Attempts to seal the air ducts or block the air supply damper (if it is mechanical) will lead to the fact that the evaporator in the freezer will quickly become covered with ice, the fan will jam, and the compressor will work non-stop, trying to cool a sensor that is located in the refrigerator compartment and does not receive cold. This is a direct path to failure.
| Parameter | Drip system | No Frost system |
|---|---|---|
| Cold location | Individual circuits or weeping wall | Single evaporator in the freezer |
| Possibility of separate shutdown | Only in 2-compressor models | Impossible without loss of bottom function |
| Risk of blocking | Medium (circulation disturbance) | High (fan/compressor breakdown) |
| Energy efficiency | Depends on filling | Consistently high, but higher consumption |
The only safe way to “turn off” the top in No Frost is to not load it with food and set the minimum possible temperature (if the adjustment is digital), but the compressor will still work to cool the lower chamber, driving air through the top.
⚠️ Attention: In No Frost systems, it is strictly forbidden to block the cold air supply holes in the lower chamber. This will disrupt the evaporator defrosting algorithm.
Emergency shutdown and preservation
If your goal is to completely stop the operation of the upper chamber due to its malfunction (for example, freon has leaked in the freezer circuit, but the bottom is working, or vice versa), then we are talking about repairs. In single-compressor Atlantakh if there is a leak in one circuit, cooling often stops everywhere. Sometimes technicians suggest welding a leaking circuit and leaving only one to work.
To preserve the refrigerator (for example, during long-term downtime), it is necessary to completely disconnect from the network. You cannot simply turn off the “top” if it is structurally connected to the “bottom”. If the problem is that it is too cold in the freezer and the food freezes, but it is warm below, this indicates a malfunction thermostat or clogged capillary tube, and not the need to turn off the thermostat
Procedure for complete conservation:
- Thaw the unit completely within 24 hours.
- Rinse the internal surfaces with a weak solution of soda.
- Leave the doors ajar for ventilation.
- Disconnect from the power supply by unplugging the plug from the socket.
What to do if the freezer doesn’t freeze, but the bottom works?
This is rare in single-compressor models. Most often this means that there is a partial leak of freon or a blockage of the capillary tube. The refrigerator continues to work, but its power is only enough to maintain the temperature in one zone (usually the refrigeration zone, since the requirements are higher there). You need to call a technician to find a leak and refill.">
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to turn off the freezer in the Atlant refrigerator, leaving the refrigerator compartment running?
In most single-compressor models, no. The system is the same. Turning off the freezer will stop the entire cycle. In two-compressor models, this is possible through the temperature regulator of the corresponding chamber.
Why, after trying to turn off the top, the refrigerator began to hum loudly?
Probably, you have upset the balance of the fan operation (in No Frost) or the compressor is operating in emergency mode due to incorrect sensor readings.
How to save electricity if you rarely need a freezer?
Use the “Vacation” mode (if available), do not allow large ice to form, check the door seals and do not put hot food in. It is impossible to completely turn off only the upper chamber to save using standard methods.
Is frequent switching on harmful for the compressor? and turning off the upper chamber?
Yes, frequent startup cycles (less than 10-15 minutes of operation and idle time) are harmful to the motor-compressor. If you use external timers or relays to simulate a shutdown, make sure that the intervals correspond to the technical data sheet of the device.