The stability of the operation of household refrigeration equipment directly depends on the quality of its installation on the floor. If you notice that the doors no longer close tightly, or an extraneous hum or vibration has appeared, the first thing to do is check the horizontalness of the housing. In most cases, the problem is solved by simply adjusting the supports, which takes no more than 15 minutes and does not require calling a technician.
Models of the Belarusian brand Atlant are equipped with reliable adjustable supports that allow you to compensate for unevenness of the floor covering. Incorrect position of the unit can lead to incorrect operation of the compressor, misalignment of doors and even disruption of refrigerant circulation. That is why proper adjustment of the height of the supports is a critically important stage in the initial operation of the equipment.
In this article we will analyze in detail the design features of supports of different series, the necessary tools and algorithm of actions for an ideal installation. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes that inexperienced users often make when installing large-sized equipment.
Why do you need to adjust the refrigerator supports
The main function of the adjustable legs is to ensure a strictly horizontal position of the body. Modern models Atlant refrigerators are designed taking into account gravity drainage of condensate. If the unit is tilted, moisture can accumulate inside the chamber or flow out, which will lead to damage to the floor covering and the appearance of mold.
The second important aspect is the tightness of the door seals. If the case is skewed, the magnetic tape cannot evenly adhere to the metal surface, forming gaps. Warm air penetrates through these cracks, forcing compressor to work in increased mode. This not only increases energy consumption, but also reduces the service life of the motor.
⚠️ Attention: Operating a refrigerator with skewed doors can lead to deformation of the hinges and the body itself, since the weight of the door is distributed unevenly.
The third factor is the level of noise and vibration. If one of the supports is not touching the floor or the body is rocking, the running motor will cause the entire structure to resonate. Correct adjustment of legs allows you to dampen vibrations and ensures quiet operation of the equipment even at night.
Design of Atlant support elements
Most models Atlant equipped with two types of supports: front adjustable screws and rear fixed or adjustable rollers. The front supports are threaded rods with a wide plastic or metal head that are screwed into the housing. Rotation of these elements allows you to change the height of the corner of the refrigerator.
The rear part of the unit is often equipped with wheels for ease of movement. However, for stationary operation, the wheels must be raised off the floor so that the weight is evenly distributed to all four points of support. In some budget series, the rear legs can also be adjustable, but with a smaller thread stroke.
It is important to understand that the threaded connection can sour or, conversely, spin if the plastic is worn out. The new models use reinforced polymer material, resistant to loads. To prevent spontaneous unscrewing during vibration, many supports are equipped with lock nuts or require a tight fit in the housing groove.
Features of the legs in two-compressor models
In two-compressor Atlant models, the load on the front supports may be higher due to the greater weight designs. It is recommended to check the tightness of the screws every six months.
Required tools for work
Before starting work, you must prepare a minimum set of tools. Although the adjustment process can often be done manually, having special tools will greatly simplify the task and improve the quality of the result. You do not need complex power tools or expensive equipment.
The main tool is a building level. It is advisable to use an instrument at least 40-50 cm long to obtain more accurate readings. A small bubble level may produce errors due to unevenness of the refrigerator body itself.
- 🔧 An adjustable wrench or an open-end wrench of the appropriate size (usually 10-14 mm) for rotating the nuts.
- 📏 Building level to control the horizontal and vertical.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges and dirt.
- 🧹 Rags to clean the threads and support pad from dust.
If The threads on the legs are coated with a layer of old dirt or oxides and may require a penetrating lubricant such as WD-40. However, it should be used with caution so as not to stain the floor or food inside the chambers.
Step-by-step instructions for adjustment
The setup process begins with preparing the workplace. Move the refrigerator away from the wall, allowing access to the back and front. If there are products in the unit, you don’t have to remove them, but for accurate measurements it is better to empty the chambers, since a full refrigerator is harder to move.
☑️ Preparation for adjustment
The following is the direct adjustment algorithm. First, loosen the lock nut (if there is one) or simply start turning the adjusting screw. Rotating clockwise usually raises the angle, counterclockwise tends to lower it. Act smoothly, making half a turn, and then check the position with a level.
After setting the horizontal, you need to check the vertical of the doorways. The door should open and close smoothly, without jerking. If the door opens spontaneously or, conversely, requires force to close, it is necessary to fine-tune the front supports, creating a slight tilt of the body back (about 2 degrees). This will ensure gravity closing.
| Symptom | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| The refrigerator rocks | Unscrew the lower support screw leg | Hands or key |
| The door does not close | Create a tilt back (raise the front legs) | Key, level |
| A hum is heard | Ensure tight contact of all 4 supports with the floor | Level |
| The wheels do not touch the floor | Correct (they must be raised) | Visually |
⚠️ Attention: Do not apply excessive force to the plastic elements of the supports. If the screw does not turn, check whether it has hit the stopper or whether there is debris in the thread.
Setting the tilt for self-closing doors
One of the most common reasons for users to contact us is the doors not closing tightly. The physics of the process is simple: the axis of rotation of the door must be strictly vertical, and the body itself must have a barely noticeable tilt back. This creates a condition in which the center of gravity of the door shifts, and it tends to close under the influence of gravity.
To implement this mechanism, it is necessary to unscrew the front ones a little more than the rear supports. The height difference between the front and back of the refrigerator should be about 1-2 centimeters. You can check this by placing a level on the top cover of the unit along the side wall. adjusting screws Unscrew a little more than the rear supports. The height difference between the front and back of the refrigerator should be about 1-2 centimeters. You can check this by placing a level on the top cover of the unit along the side wall.
If after adjustment the door still does not hold, check the condition sealing rubber. It may be dirty or deformed. It is also worth inspecting the hinges for sagging. In some cases, adjustment of the hinges themselves is required, but you should always start with the legs.
Elimination of vibration and noise
Excessive vibration often occurs when one of the four supports does not have contact with the floor surface. In this case, the housing acts as a resonator, amplifying the sound of the running motor. To fix the problem, tighten the support leg until the play disappears.
Sometimes vibration is transmitted to the floor if the coating is slippery (for example, linoleum or tiles). In such cases, it is recommended to use special anti-vibration pads under the feet. They are made of dense rubber and effectively dampen vibrations.
Make sure that the refrigerator does not touch the wall or furniture. The gap between the rear wall of the unit and the wall must be at least 5-7 cm for free air circulation. Touching the housing to walls or heating pipes can also create additional noise.
Frequent installation errors
Beginners often make typical mistakes that nullify all efforts. One of them is an attempt to level the refrigerator only on the front legs, ignoring the back ones. This leads to the fact that the unit stands stable, but is skewed to the sides, which disrupts the operation of the No Frost system (if it exists) and causes the doors to skew.
Another mistake is completely unscrewing the support screws. This reduces the contact area of the threads and can lead to thread stripping or breakage of the plastic base. The adjustment stroke is limited, and if the height of the standard legs is not enough, it is better to use pads for the entire unit rather than risk the integrity of the body.
Also, do not forget about cleanliness. Dirt and sand trapped under plastic soles act as an abrasive. Over time, they can scratch the floor or wear off on their own, changing the height of the support. Wipe the installation site before final fixation.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to remove the rear wheels completely?
The design does not provide for removing them, but they must be raised above the floor during operation. If the wheels get in the way or squeak, they can be fixed or replaced with static supports of a similar size, if the model allows it.
What to do if the thread on the leg has broken?
If the thread on a metal screw has broken, it can be replaced with a similar bolt of suitable length and diameter. If the housing seat is damaged, more complex repairs will be required by replacing the frame element or using repair bushings.
How often should you check the position of the legs?
It is recommended to check once a year or every time you do general cleaning and move the refrigerator. Over time, vibration may cause the settings to go wrong.
Why does the Atlas refrigerator stand on three legs?
The fourth (usually the back) can be adjustable and raised too high, or it is a wheel that should come off the floor. Make sure that the weight is distributed evenly across the main support points.
Do you need to remove food for adjustment?
It is advisable, but not necessary. An empty refrigerator is easier to tilt and move. If it is inconvenient to remove food, try to at least clear the top shelves to lower the center of gravity.