After purchase, transportation or scheduled defrosting, the owner is faced with the question of how to properly start the equipment. Refrigerators of the brand Donbass, like any other compressor equipment, require compliance with a certain algorithm of actions to reach operating mode. Ignoring the basic rules can lead to a reduction in the service life of the compressor or incorrect formation of cold.
The main difficulty is that many users confuse turning on the network and starting active operation of the unit. It is important to understand that thermostat must be installed in the correct position before voltage is applied. It is also worth considering that equipment that has been on the road needs time to stabilize internal processes, especially if it was transported in a horizontal position.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation and start-up so that your refrigerator comes into operation without unnecessary loads. We will look at the nuances of working with different models, from classic two-chamber options to more modern modifications with the system No Frost. Following these recommendations will help you avoid common mistakes during initial operation.
⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator was transported lying down, it is strictly forbidden to plug it in earlier than 8-12 hours later. The oil from the compressor needs time to drain back into the crankcase.
Preparation for the first start after transportation
The first step is always a visual inspection and correct installation of the unit. The refrigerator Donbass must stand on a flat, hard surface. Misalignment of the housing can lead to the doors opening spontaneously or, conversely, not fitting tightly, which will break the tightness of the chamber. Use a building level to check the horizontal position.
The distance to walls and furniture also plays a critical role. The rear grille of the condenser must have free air access for effective heat exchange. If you press the equipment close to the wall, compressor it will work with overheating, trying to compensate for the lack of cooling. The optimal distance to the rear wall is at least 10 centimeters.
☑️ Check before turning on
Make sure that the interior space is free of packaging materials. Often inside the chambers there are plastic bags, foam inserts or tape that secures the shelves. They must be completely removed. Also check that all removable shelves and drawers are installed in their regular places and fixed.
Time interval before turning on the network
The most important parameter that is often ignored is the standstill time. Even if the refrigerator was just sitting in a warehouse in a store, and not traveling in the back of a truck, it needs acclimatization. The temperature difference when moving from a cold street into a warm room causes the formation of condensation on electrical contacts.
The holding time depends on the transportation conditions. If the unit was transported vertically, it is enough to wait 2-3 hours. This time is necessary to equalize the temperature inside the insulation and evaporate possible moisture. In the case of horizontal transportation, the period increases to 8 hours or more.
| Conditions of transportation | Minimum layover time | Reason for waiting |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical, warm season | 2 hours | Refrigerant stabilization |
| Vertical, cold season | 4-5 hours | Condensate evaporation |
| Horizontal (lying) | 8-12 hours | Oil flow into the compressor |
| Long-term storage without operation | 4 hours | Acclimatization of electronics |
What will happen if you hurry?
If you turn it on refrigerator immediately after a bumpy road, liquid oil may enter the cooling circuit. This will lead to clogging of the capillary tube and costly repair of the system.
Do not rush things. It’s better to spend extra hours waiting than to do repairs later cooler blower. The internal components must come to a resting state before operating under load.
Start-up procedure
The startup process does not require complex manipulations, but requires consistency. First, make sure the plug is firmly inserted into the outlet. It is recommended to use a separate grounded outlet to avoid power surges, which can be dangerous for the electric motor.
Next you need to set up the thermostat. In mechanical models of refrigerators Donbass this is a rotary switch with numbers or marks. Do not immediately set the maximum cooling. It is optimal to choose the middle position, for example, number 3 or 4, if the scale goes to 7.
After installing the regulator and turning it on, you should hear the quiet hum of a working compressor. The light inside the chamber will light up when the door is opened. If the equipment is equipped with electronic control, the indicators on the display should light up.
In the first minutes of operation, operation may be noisier than usual. This is normal as the system begins to circulate refrigerant. After 10-15 minutes, the side walls (heat exchangers) should begin to warm up slightly, which indicates that the process is proceeding correctly.
Setting the temperature mode
Correct setting of the temperature is the key to a long life of products and saving energy. For a refrigerator, the optimal range is considered to be from +2 to +5 degrees. In the freezer, the temperature should be below -18 degrees for long-term storage.
In models with mechanical control, the position of the regulator depends on the ambient temperature (room temperature). In summer, when the room is hot, the cooling power can be added. In winter, if the room is cool, the power should be reduced so that the compressor does not work continuously.
- ❄️ Summer: Set the regulator to medium or high values (4-5) if the room is hot.
- 🌡️ Winter: If the room temperature is below +16°C, a special winter mode may be required or switch.
- 🔌 Electronics: In models with a display, simply select the desired degrees with the buttons.
- 📦 Loading: After filling with food, the power can be increased slightly.
⚠️ Attention: Do not set the regulator to maximum immediately after turning on the empty refrigerator. This can lead to freezing of food and icing of the evaporator.
First entry into operating mode
After starting, the refrigerator does not begin to freeze instantly. It takes time to cool the internal volume and chamber walls. For an empty refrigerator Donbass this process usually takes from 4 to 6 hours. Only after this can you begin gradual loading of products.
You can understand that the equipment has reached normal operation by the cyclical nature of its operation. The compressor should turn on, run for a certain time, and then turn off to rest. If the motor hums continuously for more than an hour and does not turn off, but it is warm inside, this is a signal of a malfunction or incorrect setting.
Check the uniformity of cooling. Place your hand on the shelves in different corners of the refrigerator compartment. The temperature should be approximately the same. If it's warm in one corner and ice in the other, there may be poor air circulation or problems with the refrigerant.
Diagnostics of startup problems
Sometimes the first startup does not go according to plan. The most common problem is that the refrigerator hums, but does not cool. This may indicate a freon leak or a compressor malfunction. It is also worth listening to sounds: metallic clanging or strong vibration indicate problems with the motor or pipelines.
If the compressor turns on for a couple of seconds, clicks and turns off, this is the work of the thermal protection relay. It is triggered when the motor is overloaded or jammed. Repeated attempts to turn on in this case can completely damage the equipment.
Why does the refrigerator not turn off after the first turn on?
This is normal when you first start it. The empty volume takes a long time to cool. If, after 10-12 hours of operation without food, the motor continues to hum without interruption, check the tightness of the doors and the position of the thermostat.
Is it possible to turn on the Donbass refrigerator immediately after defrosting?
Yes, if you have just washed it and wiped it dry. There is no need to wait several hours, just make sure there is no water in the tray and on the floor. The main thing is to give 15-20 minutes for the moisture to evaporate from the electrical contacts if the washing was extensive.
What to do if, after switching on, a strong smell of plastic appears?
A slight odor in the first hours of operation is acceptable - factory coatings and lubricants are burning off. If the smell is sharp, pungent and does not go away within 24 hours, or smoke appears, immediately unplug the appliance and call a technician.
Compliance with all stages of preparation and startup will allow your The refrigerator Donbass will serve for many years. Carefully monitor the first cycles of work in order to notice any deviations in time. Proper operation from the first minutes is the best prevention of future breakdowns.