Household appliance owners Brand technicians Atlant often face a situation where it becomes necessary to temporarily suspend the operation of the freezer while maintaining the cooling of the main compartment. This may be due to seasonal storage of supplies, the need for defrosting, or the desire to save energy during the holidays. However, the design features of different models dictate their own rules, and there is no universal “Turn off the freezer” button.
Understanding the operating principles of compressor and the refrigerant circulation system is critical to safely perform this task. Incorrect actions can lead to failure of expensive equipment or spoilage of food in the main compartment. In this article we will analyze in detail how to control temperature conditions in two-chamber refrigerators made in Belarus.
It is worth noting right away that the approach to solving the problem directly depends on the type of control of your model. Electronic controls provide extensive customization options, while mechanical controls require a more creative but careful approach. We will consider both options so that you can choose the right one for your device.
Fundamental differences between Atlant control systems
Before you begin any manipulations with the settings, you need to clearly define the type of control of your refrigerator. Models with electronic control equipped with a display on the outer door panel and allow you to set the exact temperature for each chamber separately. In such devices, turning off the freezer is implemented by software.
Refrigerators with mechanical control (often called “classic”) have a thermostat inside the fridge compartment with a rotary knob, the scale of which is usually marked with marks from 1 to 7 or from Min to Max. In such models, it is physically impossible to turn off the freezer regardless of the refrigerator compartment, since they operate from a single compressor.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to mechanically interfere with the operation of the thermostat or electrical circuit without the appropriate qualifications can lead to electric shock and loss of warranty.
The difference in approaches is due to design evaporator and method of supplying cold. Models with No Frost and electronics often use separate fans and dampers, allowing for more flexibility. In classic models, the cold is distributed by natural convection or one common circuit, which makes independent control impossible without modifications.
Setting up electronic control and display
If your Atlant is equipped with a digital display, the process of setting the temperature becomes intuitive, although it has its own nuances. Most modern models allow you to independently regulate the temperature in the upper and lower compartments. To enter the setup mode, you usually need to long press the temperature adjustment button for the corresponding chamber.
To “turn off” the freezer as much as possible, you need to set it to the maximum possible temperature that the program allows you to set. Typically this limit is +5...+8°C. At these values, the products will not freeze, but they will not be stored for a long time - in fact, the chamber will turn into an additional refrigeration compartment.
Some advanced models support the "Vacation" mode or allow you to completely turn off the temperature display, which may indicate a transition to an economical operating mode. However, even in this case, the compressor will turn on periodically to maintain the set climate unless you completely unplug the device.
It is important to remember about the function Super Freeze (Super Freeze). If this mode is activated, the refrigerator will ignore your attempts to increase the temperature, working for wear. Before changing the settings, make sure that the snowflake indicator or the Super Freeze inscription are not lit on the control panel.
Features of mechanical thermostats
For refrigerator owners Atlant with mechanical control, where there is a “twist” inside the refrigeration chamber, you will have to face design limitations. In such units, the thermostat controls the temperature only in the refrigerator compartment, and the freezer is cooled according to the residual principle.
Turning the thermostat knob to the "Min" or "1" position results in the compressor starting to work less often and for less time. This raises the temperature throughout, including the freezer. In fact, you can't turn off the freezer, but you can make it stop freezing by turning it into a cold storage room.
There is a common misconception that you can turn off the thermostat and leave only the freezer running, or vice versa. In single-compressor models cooling circuit is united, and it is impossible to separate their work without complex re-equipment of the system (installation of separate solenoid valves, which are not included in the basic configuration).
If your goal is to defrost the freezer, leaving the food cold in the main chamber, the mechanics will not allow you to do this quickly. You will have to either wait for natural defrosting when the device is turned off, or use external sources of cold for the main compartment.
Why can't you just cut the wire?
Inside the thermostat there is a capillary tube with gas that reacts to expansion and contraction. Mechanical damage or shorted contacts will result in the compressor either not turning on at all or working continuously, which will cause freezing of the evaporator and failure of the compressor.
Using the Super Freeze mode to control the temperature
Mode Super Freeze (Super Freeze) on refrigerators Atlant designed for quick freezing of large volumes of food. When this function is activated, the compressor works continuously, ignoring the readings of the refrigerator compartment thermostat (in some models) or working in enhanced mode.
Paradoxically, for those who want to understand how to control the temperature, it is important to know how this mode not works. It does not help turn off the freezer; on the contrary, it forces it to work at its limit. However, knowing the logic for turning it off helps in diagnosis.
If you accidentally turned on this mode, the refrigerator will hum and freeze until you forcefully turn off the function. In mechanical models, a separate button with a yellow indicator is responsible for this; in electronic models, a touch switch is responsible. This mode turns off automatically after 24-72 hours, depending on the model.
| Parameter | Normal mode | Super Freeze mode | Vacation mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work compressor | Cyclic (on/off) | Continuous | Rare / Freezer only |
| Temperature in freezer | -18°C | -24°C and below | -18°C |
| Temperature in the refrigerator | +2...+5°C | +2...+5°C (may overcool) | +10...+15°C |
| Energy consumption | Normal | Maximum | Minimum |
Using the “Vacation” mode (if your model has it) is the only standard way in which the refrigerator compartment goes into economy mode (temperature about +15°C), and the freezer continues to work. The reverse mode, where only the refrigerator works, is not included in the factory configuration in any Atlant model not provided in any Atlant model.
Algorithm of actions for safe defrosting
If your goal is to defrost the freezer without spoiling the food in the main compartment, follow a clear algorithm. First, empty the refrigerator compartment of perishable foods or put them in a thermal bag. Then you can begin manipulating the freezer.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for defrosting
After you have removed the food, disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Leave the doors open to speed up the process. To speed up the thawing of ice, you can place a container of hot water inside the freezer, but do not use hair dryers or heating devices - this can damage plastic case the evaporator tubes.
After defrosting is complete, wipe the chamber dry with a soft cloth. Plug in the refrigerator and let it run empty for about 30-60 minutes to get up to temperature before putting food back in. This will reduce the load on the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers) to chip ice. Damage to the evaporator will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs, which are often not economically feasible.
Frequent errors and technical limitations
Many users try to find a way to turn off the freezer by cutting the wires going to the temperature sensor or fan. This is a big mistake. In modern models Atlant with the No Frost system, turning off the fan will cause the cold to stop flowing into the refrigerator compartment, and the evaporator will instantly become covered with a “coat” of ice.
Another mistake is setting the thermostat to the "0" or "Off" position in order to leave only freezer. In most mechanical models, this opens the compressor power circuit completely, and the entire volume of cold ceases to be produced.
Attempts to install external socket timers to cycle on/off are also ineffective. The electronics of the refrigerator may perceive frequent power outages as an emergency and block the start of the compressor or reset the settings.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to completely disable the freezer in Atlanta with one button?
There is no standard function “Disable only the freezer” in Atlant refrigerators. You can only increase the temperature in the chamber as much as possible (if there is an electronic display) or disconnect the entire device from the network.
Why does the refrigerator not turn on for a long time after defrosting?
There is a thermal relay in the compressor protection system. It blocks restarting for 10-15 minutes after shutdown to protect the motor from water hammer. This is a normal phenomenon, you just need to wait.
What to do if the light in the freezer stops working, but there is cold?
Most likely, the light bulb has burned out. In some models, the light in the freezer comes on only when the door is open, but if you are sure that it is open, but there is no light, you need to replace the lamp with a similar base and power.
Is it harmful to keep the refrigerator in the "Vacation" mode all the time?
No, it is not harmful. The Vacation mode simply maintains the temperature in the refrigerator compartment at about +15°C, preventing the formation of mold and odors, while saving energy. The freezer is operating in normal mode.
How to understand that the thermostat is faulty?
If the compressor runs continuously without turning off, and the temperature in the chambers drops below normal (food freezes in the refrigerator compartment), or vice versa - the refrigerator is silent and does not cool at any position of the handle, most likely the thermostat has failed.