Correct temperature settings are the key to long-term storage of food and proper operation of your refrigerator. If you've just purchased new equipment or noticed that your room is warmer or colder than usual, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat settings. In brand models Atlant the location of controls can vary significantly depending on the series and year of manufacture of the device.
Owners often get lost trying to find the right knob or digital panel, especially if they have previously used refrigerators of a different design. Some models feature mechanical control via a rotary encoder, others have an electronic display, and others have hidden adjustment elements inside the camera. Understanding the type of your unit will allow you to avoid mistakes and quickly install optimal mode cooling.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the options for the location of regulators, explain the difference between mechanical and electronic systems, and also give advice on calibration. You will learn how to correctly interpret the numbers on the scale and why you should not load food immediately after turning it on.
Types of control systems in Atlant refrigeratorsBefore looking for a knob or button, you need to determine what type of control your model belongs to. Technology Atlant is divided into two main groups: mechanical and electronic. In mechanical systems, you are looking for a physical rotary switch, often called a thermostat. In electronic models, adjustments are made through a button panel or touch display located on the outer door or inside the chamber.
Mechanical regulators are a round knob with numbers from 1 to 7 (or from Min to Max). The principle of their operation is based on changes in refrigerant pressure in the system. Electronic systems use temperature sensors that transmit data to the control unit, automatically turning the compressor on and off. Accuracy Electronic systems are usually higher, but they are more sensitive to power surges in the network.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to disassemble the plastic cover of the mechanical regulator by force. Plastic in older models can be fragile, and careless handling will lead to breakage of the handle, after which it will be extremely difficult to adjust the temperature.
Location of the regulator in single-compressor modelsIn classic single-compressor refrigerators Atlant with a No Frost or drip defrosting system, the thermostat is most often located inside the refrigerator cameras. This is a standard solution for most budget and mid-priced models. You need to open the main door and carefully examine the inner wall.
The traditional location is the upper right part of the side wall of the chamber, next to the lighting shade. The regulator looks like a round disk with numbers; sometimes it can be combined with a quick freeze button (which is often absent in single-compressor models or has a different function). In some series, for example, in older models of the series KShD, the regulator could be located directly above the door, but this is rare.
The numbers on the scale do not indicate degrees Celsius. They indicate the intensity of the compressor. One corresponds to minimum cooling, and the maximum number (usually 7) corresponds to maximum power. Optimal The position for everyday use is considered to be 3 or 4.
Setting up two-compressor refrigerators with separate regulatorsTwo-compressor models Atlant have independent cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. This means that you have two separate thermostats. You can find them by opening the corresponding cameras. The regulator for the refrigerator compartment is located inside the main compartment (usually at the top right), and the regulator for the freezer is inside the freezer compartment.
It is important to understand that in such models, setting the temperature in the freezer does not affect the main compartment, and vice versa. This gives more flexibility, but requires attention. If you set your freezer to the “Super Freeze” mode (often indicated by a snowflake or an asterisk), the compressor will run continuously until you manually turn off this function.
For everyday use, it is recommended to set the refrigerator compartment to 3-4, and the freezer to also 3-4, or slightly higher if you are storing large volumes of meat or fish for a long time. Independent control allows you to save energy without overloading the system when the freezer is empty.
Electronic control: display on the door and inside the chamberModern models Atlant, especially the premium series, are equipped with electronic control. The control panel in such cases is located on the outside of the upper door or on the inside wall of the refrigerator compartment. The display displays the current temperature in degrees Celsius, which is much more convenient than relying on abstract numbers of mechanical regulators.
Control is carried out using buttons or touch fields. There are usually separate buttons for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Pressing the camera select button allows you to change the value, which will begin to blink. Using the “+” and “-” buttons you set the desired temperature. Standard values: +3...+5°C for a refrigerator and -18...-20°C for a freezer.
What to do if the display goes out?
If the screen does not light up when you press the buttons, check whether the Holiday or Child Lock mode is activated. Often, to unlock, you need to hold the button with the image of a lock for 3-5 seconds.
Some models with electronics also have a function automatic adaptation, when the refrigerator itself adjusts the operation of the compressor to the load and ambient temperature. However, even in such systems, the user can manually adjust the settings through the menu.
Deciphering the thermostat scale and optimal valuesMany users mistakenly believe that the number on a mechanical regulator is degrees Celsius. This is wrong. The scale from 1 to 7 (or up to Max) indicates the strength of the current supplied to the thermal relay, or the degree of valve opening, depending on the design. The higher the number, the the more intense the compressor works and the colder it becomes inside the chambers.
For most products, the optimal temperature in the refrigerator compartment is the range from +2°C to +5°C. The temperature in the freezer should not exceed -18°C. If you set the control to minimum (1), food may begin to spoil faster. If at maximum (7), the compressor can work without stopping, which will lead to its overheating and the formation of an ice crust on the evaporator.
The following table shows the correspondence of approximate temperature conditions to the positions of the regulator in typical operating conditions (at a room temperature of +20...+22°C):
| Position of the regulator | Nature of work | Approximate t° in the refrigerator compartment | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Min) | Minimum cooling | +7...+9°C | For storing vegetables that do not like cold, or when fully loaded in summer |
| 3 (Average) | Normal mode | +3...+5°C | Daily use, optimal balance |
| 5 (High) | Intensive cooling | +1...+2°C | For storing large quantities of meat, dairy products |
| 7 (Max) | Maximum power | 0...+1°C | Only for quick freezing (short-term) |
Frequent errors during adjustment and troubleshootingOne of the most common mistakes is setting the regulator to maximum immediately after turning on the empty refrigerator. The unit takes time (from 2 to 12 hours) to reach temperature. If you immediately turn the knob to 7, the compressor will work hard, trying to cool the warm air, and may not turn off for hours.
Another problem is ignoring seasonality. In summer, when the apartment is hot, heat gain is higher. At this time, you may need to increase the power slightly (move the knob from 3 to 4). In winter, on the contrary, if the refrigerator is in a cool room, the power can be reduced. However, modern models Atlant often have a climate class that allows them to operate over a wide range, so fundamental changes are usually not required.
⚠️ Attention: If you change the position of the regulator, do not expect instant results. Thermal stabilization of the system takes from 4 to 8 hours. Repeated adjustment before this time has expired will lead to chaotic operation of the equipment.
It is also worth mentioning the situation when the regulator is set to the middle value, but the temperature does not hold. This could indicate a freon leak, a faulty thermostat, or a problem with the door seal. In this case, simple adjustment will not help, and you will need to call a specialist.
☑️ Checking the correct setting
The influence of loading and location of products on the temperature regimeCorrectly setting the temperature is only half the success. The second half is proper product placement. Cold air in refrigerators Atlant circulates in a certain way. In models with a drip system, it goes down along the back wall, and in No Frost systems it is distributed through the ventilation holes.
If you tightly fill the chamber with products to the very top, blocking the outlet holes or the back wall, the temperature sensor (or the thermostat itself) may “think” that it is already cold in the chamber and turn off the compressor ahead of time. As a result, the food in the depths of the chamber may remain warm. Conversely, an empty refrigerator cools down faster, but holds the temperature worse when the door is opened.
Why does the salad freeze on the bottom shelf?
This is a common problem with older models. Most likely, the thermostat is set too aggressively, or the drain hole is clogged, which is why cold air does not circulate correctly, but accumulates at the bottom. Try reducing the power by 1 division.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about adjustment
What to do if the thermostat knob spins endlessly?
Some models of mechanical regulators do not have a hard stop in the extreme positions, they can scroll. If the handle turns completely freely and no resistance is felt, the rod inside may have broken. Try carefully removing the handle and checking whether the thermostat shaft itself rotates. If the shaft is stationary and the handle is spinning, it has fallen off or is broken.
Is it possible to completely turn off the freezer compartment in a two-compressor refrigerator?
In most two-compressor models Atlant it is impossible to completely turn off one of the compressors by adjusting the temperature. You can set the minimum value (1), but the compressor will still turn on periodically to maintain a positive temperature. Complete shutdown is possible only by disconnecting from the power supply or, in rare models, through a special menu or switch, if it is provided for by the design.
Why, after adjusting the temperature, did the refrigerator begin to hum louder?
Increasing the power (moving the knob to a higher number) makes the compressor work longer and more intense. Also, when switching to lower temperatures, the No Frost system may be activated, and you will hear the sound of a running fan or the cracking of ice during defrosting. If the noise is unnaturally loud (knocking, clanging), perhaps the refrigerator is not level or touching the wall.
How to check the real temperature inside without a thermometer?
The exact method is only using a household thermometer, placed in a glass of water on the middle shelf for 2-3 hours. Indirect sign: if the milk turns sour quickly (less than 3 days), it’s too warm. If frozen foods are covered with a thick layer of frost or ice, and the vegetables in the box are freezing, it’s too cold, you need to turn down the power.
Do you need to change the settings in winter if the refrigerator is in an unheated country house?
Most refrigerators Atlant have a climate class of SN (subnormal), allowing operation at ambient temperatures from +10°C. If the room is colder than +10°C, the oil in the compressor thickens and the refrigerator may not start or quickly fail. In such conditions, operation is not recommended, regardless of the thermostat settings.