Restoring the functionality of household appliances often requires a precise understanding of the unit's design, especially when it comes to two-chamber systems.
Refrigerators Atlant are famous for their reliability, but replacing the evaporator or restoring the circuit after a freon leak is a complex process that requires care.
Correct connection of the freezer directly affects the ability of the device to maintain the set temperature and ensure the safety of food.
Owners are often faced with the need to replace a failed element, and the future fate of the device depends on the quality of this procedure.
Diagnostics of the fault and preparation for work
Before proceeding with physical intervention, it is necessary to clearly determine the nature of the failure and make sure that the evaporator needs to be replaced.
Often users confuse compressor failure with a refrigerant leak, however, a visual inspection aluminum tubes allows you to quickly identify the problem.
If you notice swelling of the rear wall of the fridge compartment or a characteristic smell of oil in the compressor niche, these are sure signs of depressurization of the system.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work on dismantling elements, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network to avoid electric shock.
To carry out high-quality repairs, you will need to prepare not only a new evaporator, but also a specialized tool.
Particular attention should be paid to the condition thermostat, since its malfunction can simulate problems with cooling.
Make sure you have all the necessary components on hand, including insulating materials and fasteners.
- 🔧 Set of wrenches and screwdrivers for disassembling the case
- 🧊 New evaporator that matches your refrigerator model
- 🧪 Tools for soldering copper tubes and refilling with freon
- 📏 Tape measure or ruler for accurately measuring the dimensions of the seat
You should not ignore the preparation of the workplace, since cleanliness and order are critical when working with internal cooling systems.
Dust or moisture that gets into the system can lead to to the formation of an ice plug in the capillary tube.
Check the integrity of the packaging of the new evaporator to exclude the presence of manufacturing defects or mechanical damage.
Removing the old evaporator
The process of removing a failed element begins with completely emptying the refrigerator and freezer chambers.
It is necessary to free access to the rear wall, which often requires removing shelves, drawers and decorative panels.
In models Atlant with the No Frost system, access to the evaporator is through the rear panel of the freezer compartment.
Carefully disconnect all the wires going to the temperature sensors and the defrost heater, having previously photographed the connection diagram.
If your refrigerator is equipped with a weeping evaporator, it may be foamed in the back wall of the case, which greatly complicates the task.
In such cases, you need to very carefully drill or cut out the mounting foam, trying to do not damage the internal circuit.
Using a hair dryer to soften the foam speeds up the process, but requires care not to melt the plastic liner of the chamber.
After clearing access to the tubes it is necessary to bleed off the remaining refrigerant in a well-ventilated area.
Use special valves or carefully file the tube in the area of the filter-drier.
Make sure that there is no open fire in the room, since freon vapors can be toxic or flammable depending on the type of gas.
Dismantling is completed when the old element is completely removed and the place is prepared for installation of a new part.
Selection of compatible equipment
The success of the repair directly depends on the correct choice of the replacement element for your specific modification of the refrigerator.
Models Atlant were produced in various series, and evaporators may differ in size, shape and mounting method.
Be sure to check the part number with the catalog number specified in the technical documentation or on the device nameplate.
| Parameter | Standard value | Permissible deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant type | R134a / R600a | Strictly according to the passport |
| Tube material | Aluminium | Copper (with adapters) |
| Power (kcal/h) | 160-200 | ±10% |
| Dimensions (mm) | Individually | ±5 mm |
If the original part cannot be found, you can consider analogues, but their geometric dimensions should match as accurately as possible.
A difference of several millimeters can lead to the fact that the evaporator simply does not fit into its normal place or touches the walls.
Pay attention to the diameter of the connecting tubes, as this affects the choice of soldering method and the need to use adapters.
Is it possible to use evaporator from another model?
The use of an evaporator from another model is possible only if the overall dimensions, heat exchange area and type of refrigerant are the same. However, the performance of the compressor must match the thermal load of the new evaporator, otherwise the refrigerator will work with overload or undercooling.
Poor quality replicas often have thinner tube walls, which increases the risk of repeated leakage in the near future.
It is recommended to purchase components from trusted suppliers specializing in spare parts for household appliances equipment.
Check the presence of protective lubricant on the tubes, which prevents oxidation of aluminum during storage.
Technology for installing and soldering connections
Installation of a new evaporator requires adherence to a strict sequence of actions and the use of professional equipment.
Install the new element into the niche, making sure that it fits snugly against the back wall for effective heat transfer.
For fixation, use standard fasteners or high-quality heat-resistant glue if the design involves gluing.
It is critically important to correctly solder the connections of copper and aluminum tubes.
Use special solders for soldering aluminum and observe the temperature regime so as not to burn the metal.
Before soldering, be sure to flush the system with nitrogen to remove moisture and remaining air from the circuit.
Heating of the joint must be uniform, and the solder must flow into the gap under the influence capillary forces.
☑️ Installation checklist
After soldering, it is necessary to allow the joints to cool naturally, without subjecting them to mechanical stress.
Check the quality of the seam visually: it should be smooth, without holes or cracks.
Any soldering defect can become a source of future leakage, so do not save time at this stage.
Only after making sure that the connections are reliable, can you proceed to the next stage - evacuation and charging.
Evacuation and refrigerant charging
After installing a new evaporator, air and moisture inevitably remain in the system, which must be removed.
Evacuation is carried out using a special pump, which is connected to the service pipe.
The process should last at least 15-20 minutes until a deep vacuum is achieved, which guarantees the removal of all moisture.
Residual moisture in the system can freeze in the capillary tube and cause an ice plug that blocks the circulation of freon.
Filling the refrigerator with refrigerant is carried out strictly according to the weight indicated on the technical label inside the chamber.
Use electronic scales for accurate dosing of gas, so how an excess or lack of freon will disrupt the operation of the cycle.
For models Atlant refrigerants are most often used R134a or isobutane R600a.
⚠️ Attention: Isobutane (R600a) is a flammable gas, so refueling work should be carried out in a room with good ventilation and away from spark sources.
After refueling, solder the service pipe and check the system for leaks using a soap solution or a leak detector.
The compressor should be turned on only after the circuit has been completely assembled and the leaks have been checked. leaks.
Monitor the temperature of the condenser and evaporator in the first minutes of operation to ensure correct circulation of the refrigerant.
Improper filling can lead to increased energy consumption and shortened compressor life.
If you are using a gas cylinder, keep it upside down only when filling the liquid phase (which is rarely done and requires experience).
Under standard conditions, filling is carried out in the vapor phase through evaporator.
Setting up the thermostat and testing
The final stage of connection is setting the temperature mode and checking the operation of the automation.
The thermostat must respond correctly to changes in temperature inside the chambers, turning the compressor on and off.
Set the regulator to the middle position and let the refrigerator operate for several hours to stabilize the processes.
Check that the freezer reaches a temperature of -18°C, and that the temperature in the refrigerator is about +4...+5°C.
Pay attention to the cyclical operation: the compressor should not run continuously or turn on too much often.
If the refrigerator is equipped with a No Frostsystem, check the operation of the defrost timer and heating elements.
Make sure that the fans operate quietly and do not touch ice or foreign objects.
Listen to the sounds of the operating unit: extraneous noise, gurgling or humming may indicate problems.
On the first day of operation, do not load the chambers with products, let the system go to empty mode.
Control the formation of ice on the evaporator in the first days: a uniform thin layer - this is the norm, large ice deposits are a sign of malfunction.
Frequent errors when connecting
Even experienced craftsmen can make mistakes that will lead to equipment failure again.
One of the most common problems is insufficient evacuation of the system before refueling.
Moisture remaining in the circuit reacts with the oil and refrigerant, forming acid, which corrodes the compressor windings from the inside.
Ignoring this step often leads to costly repairs of the compressor a few months after replacing the evaporator.
Another common mistake is incorrect choice of length capillary tube when replacing the entire assembly.
A tube that is too short or long disrupts the pressure balance in the system, which leads to ineffective cooling or freezing.
It is also important not to pinch aluminum tubes during installation, as they are easily deformed and can burst under pressure.
What to do if after replacing the evaporator the refrigerator does not freeze?
First of all, check the tightness of all soldered joints using a soap solution. If there are no leaks, it is possible that an ice plug has formed in the system due to poor evacuation, or the filter drier is clogged. It is also worth checking the operation of the compressor: if it hums but does not start, the start-up relay may have burned out.
Is it possible to replace an aluminum evaporator with a copper one?
Technically this is possible, but requires the use of special adapters for soldering dissimilar metals (steel-aluminum-copper). Copper evaporators are more durable and easier to solder, but they are more expensive and may have different dimensions. The main thing is to ensure a reliable connection, since the aluminum-copper galvanic pair quickly corrodes in the presence of moisture.
How often do you need to change the filter-drier?
The filter-drier is a disposable element and must be replaced whenever the refrigerator circuit is opened. Reusing an old filter is unacceptable, since its sorbent is already saturated with moisture and will not be able to perform its function, which will lead to compressor failure.
Why did a whistling or noise appear after replacing the evaporator?
A whistling sound usually indicates a freon leak through a microcrack in the solder or that the refrigerant is passing through too much narrow opening (for example, a blockage in the capillary). The hum can be caused by vibration of improperly secured tubes against the housing or chamber walls. It is necessary to re-diagnosis the system.
Compliance with technology and careful attention to detail will allow you to successfully connect the freezer and extend the life of your refrigerator Atlant.
Do not forget that the quality of the materials used directly affects the result of the repair.
If you doubt your abilities to at any stage, it is better to contact professional craftsmen.