Correct temperature mode is the key to food safety and long service life of your refrigeration equipment. Sometimes a situation arises when the standard factory settings are too low, which leads to freezing of vegetables, fruits or dairy products. Equipment owners Atlant often face the need to change settings, but do not know where exactly to look for the right control lever.
Adjusting the climate inside the cameras depends on the type of control installed on your model. The range of the Belarusian manufacturer includes both classic mechanical thermostats and modern electronic systems with a digital display. Understanding the operating principle of your specific device is the first step to a successful setup that will not harm the products.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of action for various modifications, explain the physical principles of the thermostat and point out the typical mistakes that users make when trying to make the climate in the chamber warmer. It is important to perform all manipulations sequentially so as not to disrupt the fine calibration of the system.
⚠️ Attention: A sudden change in temperature settings (more than 3-4 degrees at a time) can lead to a temporary disruption of the compressor operating cycle. Allow the system to adapt to new conditions within 12 hours.
Features of thermoregulation in different Atlant models
Refrigerators Atlant are divided into two main groups according to the type of control: mechanical and electronic. Older and budget models use mechanical thermostat, which is a rotary knob with divisions. There are no exact numbers in degrees, and adjustment occurs by changing the pressure in the capillary tube of the sensor.
More modern models, especially series with the system No Frost or two-compressor options, are equipped with an electronic control unit. In such devices, the temperature is controlled by a microprocessor, which reads temperature sensors and controls the operation of the compressor and fans. Here you can increase the temperature with an accuracy of a degree.
There is also an intermediate option - electromechanical control, where turning the knob changes the electronic settings, but without a digital display. Understanding exactly what type of control is on your unit is critically important, since the logic of actions will be radically different.
Temperature adjustment in refrigerators with mechanical control
In models with mechanical control, adjustment is carried out using a round knob located inside the refrigerator compartment or on the top panel of the case. The scale usually contains numbers from 1 to 7 (or from Min to Max). Many users mistakenly believe that the number indicates degrees Celsius, but this is not so.
The numbers on a mechanical thermostat indicate cooling intensity. The higher the number, the colder it will be in the chamber. Therefore, if your goal is to increase the temperature (make it warmer), you need to turn the knob towards a lower value. For example, moving from position “5” to position “3” will make the climate in the chamber less cold.
The process of temperature change does not occur instantly. After turning the knob, the system takes time, usually 2 to 4 hours, to stabilize. At this time, the compressor will operate in a new cycle, gradually equalizing the temperature throughout the entire volume of the chamber.
It is worth noting that the position of the knob depends on the load of the refrigerator and the ambient temperature (temperature in the room). In the summer, when the room is hot, the knob often has to be set to higher values (4-5), and in winter it must be lowered (2-3) to compensate for heat inflows.
Adjustment in models with electronic control
In refrigerators Atlant with electronic control, the adjustment is made through the display panel located on the door or in the top body parts. Here you see the exact values in degrees Celsius. To increase the temperature, you need to increase the numerical value on the display.
Usually the process is as follows: press the mode selection button (often indicated as Temp or has an image of a snowflake/thermometer) until the refrigerator indicator starts flashing. Then use the “+” or “-” buttons (or up/down arrows) to change the value to the desired value.
Electronics allows you to set the exact mode, for example, +5°C or +7°C. This is especially convenient for storing specific products that require special conditions. The system itself will maintain the set parameter, turning the compressor on and off based on the sensor signal.
☑️ Electronic control setting algorithm
It is important to know that in some models with two compressors, the settings for the refrigerator and freezer compartments are made independently. Make sure that you change the settings exactly in the compartment where it is necessary so as not to disturb the freezing mode.
The influence of loading and arrangement of food on the temperature
Even the correctly set temperature may not meet expectations if the refrigerator is overloaded or the food is not laid out correctly. Cold air is heavier than warm air, so it sinks. In refrigerators with a system Statik (without ventilation), the temperature difference between the shelves can reach several degrees.
If you increase the temperature on the thermostat, but the food at the back wall still freezes, the problem may be in air circulation. The rear wall in drip systems is the evaporator, and its temperature is always lower than in the center of the chamber.
Dense loading also affects heat transfer. If food is placed close to the back wall or completely blocks the air channels (in models with ventilation), the temperature sensor may read incorrect data, causing the compressor to work longer than necessary.
| Refrigerator area | Typical temperature | What to store | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top shelf | +7...+9°C | Ready food, drinks | Ideal if you need to make it warmer |
| Middle shelves | +4...+6°C | Milk, sausages | Main storage area |
| Bottom shelf | +2...+4°C | Raw meat, fish | The coldest zone |
| Door | +8...+10°C | Sauces, eggs, butter | The area with the greatest fluctuations |
⚠️ Attention: Never put hot or warm foods in the refrigerator. This causes a sharp jump in temperature, forcing the compressor to wear out, and can lead to damage to neighboring products.
Typical errors when setting the temperature mode
One of the most common mistakes is an attempt to quickly cool products by setting the thermostat to maximum, and then abruptly returning it back to normal. Such jumps disorient the control system, especially the electronic one, and can lead to the formation of excessive ice or reset settings.
Another mistake is ignoring seasonality. In winter, when the apartment is cool, setting the mechanical thermostat knob to maximum (number 7) can result in the compressor simply not turning off, since the temperature difference between the chamber and the room is too small for the old thermostat to work correctly.
Some users try to “deceive” the system by taping the sensors or changing their location. This is absolutely impossible to do. The sensor must be in a regular place, otherwise you will not be able to control the actual climate inside, which will lead to defrosting of food or their spoilage.
Why can’t you set the knob to maximum all the time?
Constant operation of the compressor at maximum power (position 7) leads to rapid wear of the motor, excessive consumption of electricity and the formation of an ice crust on the evaporator, which is difficult to remove without defrosting.
It is also worth remembering that in single-compressor In refrigerators, the temperatures in the freezer and refrigerator compartments are connected. By increasing the temperature in the refrigerator compartment (decreasing the number on the thermostat), you automatically make it warmer in the freezer, which can be dangerous for frozen stocks.
Diagnosing problems if the temperature does not change
There are situations when you changed the settings, but the temperature in the chamber does not increase. This may indicate a malfunction. First of all, check to see if the button is stuck or if the contact in the mechanical pen has come loose. Sometimes the handle itself scrolls at idle speed, without affecting the thermostat rod.
If we are talking about electronics, there may be a malfunction of the control board or a malfunction of the temperature sensor itself. The sensor may have moved out of place or failed, sending incorrect data to the controller. In this case, the refrigerator may “think” that the chamber is already warm and not turn on the cooling, or vice versa.
Check the door sealing rubber bands. If they are worn out and allow warm air to escape from the room, the compressor will work continuously, trying to compensate for the heat gain, and the temperature may behave unpredictably, despite the settings.
Prevention and care of the cooling system
In order for the thermoregulation system to work correctly, it is necessary to regularly defrost the refrigerator (if it is not a No Frost model). A thick layer of ice on the evaporator acts as a heat insulator, preventing the sensor from correctly reading the air temperature.
Keep the condenser (grid) on the back wall of the refrigerator clean. Dust and animal hair impair heat transfer, causing the compressor to work harder. This may result in the chamber being too cold even at minimum settings.
Check the position of the food regularly. Do not push them close to the rear wall and make sure that they do not block the cold air duct (if it is located at the top of the rear wall). Free circulation is the key to uniform temperature distribution.
Why is the temperature in the Atlant refrigerator too low even at minimum?
This may be caused by a malfunction of the thermostat, which is “stuck” in the maximum cooling position, or a freon leak (although with a leak the temperature usually rises, in some phases of operation an incorrect cycle is possible). Also, the cause may be a clogged capillary tube or a malfunction of the defrost sensor.
Is it possible to regulate the temperature in the freezer separately?
In single-compressor models with mechanical control - no, the overall temperature is regulated. In two-compressor models and refrigerators with electronic control (Full No Frost), the refrigeration and freezer compartments are adjusted independently of each other.
How often should you check the temperature in the refrigerator?
It is recommended to carry out a control measurement using an external thermometer once every six months, as well as after each defrost or significant change in the thermostat settings. This will help to identify deviations in the operation of the equipment in a timely manner.
Does the amount of food affect the cooling rate?
Yes, an empty refrigerator cools faster, but it holds the temperature worse when the door is opened. A fully loaded refrigerator (especially with products containing water) operates more stable, but requires more time to initially return to mode after changing the settings.
What to do if the thermostat handle is broken?
If the handle has simply been removed, it can be put back in place by aligning the slots. If the rod itself or the mechanism inside is broken, the thermostat will need to be replaced. It is not recommended to operate the refrigerator without a handle, since it is impossible to accurately regulate the mode, which will lead to food spoilage or compressor failure.