Situations when there is a need to change the standard operating mode of refrigeration equipment occur quite often. For example, you are going on vacation for a month and want to leave only the main compartment for storing drinks turned on, or, conversely, you plan to prepare a large amount of meat and need maximum freezing power without unnecessary cooling of food. Equipment owners Atlant often wonder whether it is possible to separately control the temperature in different chambers.
The answer depends on the specific model of your unit, since the design of the cooling system directly affects the available functions. In modern two-compressor models independent control implemented at the hardware level, which allows you to completely turn off one of the circuits. However, in simpler or older single-compressor versions, the functionality may be limited, requiring non-standard approaches to adjustment.
In this article we will analyze the technical nuances of the operation of various series of refrigerators Atlant, consider algorithms for setting thermostats and explain how to safely change the operating mode of the freezer. Understanding the operating principles of your device will help avoid food spoilage and prevent compressor breakdown due to improper operation.
Design features of Atlant refrigerators
To understand exactly how to operate a freezer, you must first determine the type of cooling system installed in your model. Equipment Atlant is divided into two main categories: single-compressor and double-compressor units. This fundamental difference dictates the ability to adjust the temperature.
In two-compressor models, two independent circuitsare responsible for cooling the refrigeration and freezer compartments. Each circuit has its own compressor, its own evaporator and, most importantly, its own thermostat or electronic control unit. This means that you can completely turn off the freezer, leaving the refrigeration compartment operating in normal mode, or vice versa.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to completely shut off the cold supply to the chamber of a single-compressor refrigerator mechanically (sealing the holes) will lead to overheating of the compressor and its failure building.
Single-compressor models operate on the principle of sequential cooling or use a system No Frost with one motor. In such devices, the refrigerant passes through both evaporators, and it is impossible to completely separate their work. Here, control is carried out by shifting the balance of the thermostats, but completely “turning off” the freezer, leaving the cold in the main compartment, is technically difficult or impossible without losing cold everywhere.
Control in two-compressor models
If your refrigerator is equipped with two compressors, the task of turning off the freezer is solved most simply and effectively. Located on the front panel or inside the refrigerator compartment (often in the upper corner) two separate controls. One of them is usually marked with a snowflake symbol or a number related to the freezer, the second - to the refrigerator compartment.
To turn off the freezer, you need to find the control that corresponds to it. In mechanical models, this is a rotary knob with numbers from 1 to 7 or from Min to Max. In electronic models, control is carried out through a panel with a display. The logic of the action is simple: if you turn the knob counterclockwise all the way, you open the contacts of the thermostat.
- ❄️ Find the freezer regulator (often located on the right or marked "Freezer").
- 🔄 Smoothly turn the knob to the left until a characteristic click or until position "0" /"Off".
- 💡 The freezer compressor operation indicator should go out, signaling a stop.
- 🔌 Make sure that the main compressor continues to operate if there is not enough cold in the refrigerator compartment.
In electronic models Atlant with the display the process looks different. You will need to activate the settings menu by frequently holding the temperature adjustment button for a few seconds. After entering the menu, the freezer zone is selected and the temperature is set to the minimum value or the “Off” mode is selected.
The nuances of the operation of single-compressor systems
Owners of single-compressor refrigerators Atlant will have to face design limitations. In such units, the cold is generated by one motor and distributed between the chambers. There is usually only one thermostat, and it controls the temperature either in the refrigerator compartment or (less often) in the freezer, but the compressor operating cycle is the same for the entire system.
An attempt to turn off the freezer in such a system will lead to the entire refrigerator stopping working. However, there are ways to minimize freezer operation if your goal is to save energy or reduce freezing intensity. To do this, use adjusting the air dampers (if they are provided for by the design) or setting the thermostat to the minimum mode.
In some models with a system Low Frost or a drip system, you can find a "Summer/Winter" switch. This toggle switch controls the operation of the door jumper heater, but does not turn off the compressor. Therefore, it is not worth using it to turn off the freezer. The only safe way is to set the temperature controller to the minimum value (number 1), which will reduce the overall load, but will not stop the process completely.
| System type | Possibility of complete shutdown | Control method | Risk to the compressor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two compressors | Full | Separate thermostat | Absent |
| One compressor | Impossible | General thermostat | High when blocked |
| No Frost (1 compressor) | Partial (via menu) | Electronic panel | Average |
Super Freeze mode and its effect
Often users confuse the need to turn off the freezer with the desire to strengthen or, conversely, weaken its operation. The superfreezing (Super Freeze) function in refrigerators Atlant is designed for rapid cooling of a large volume of food. When this mode is activated, the freezer compressor operates continuously, ignoring the readings of temperature sensors.
If your goal is to temporarily stop active freezing so that the compressor can rest, you do not need to turn off the chamber, but simply deactivate the superfreezing mode. In mechanical models, this is a button with a yellow indicator. Pressing it returns control to the thermostat. In electronic devices, this is an exit from the corresponding menu.
⚠️ Attention: Do not leave the super freezing mode on for more than 24-48 hours. Long-term operation of the compressor without stopping leads to overheating of the windings and shortening the service life of the unit.
Using the super-freeze mode is also important before loading a large batch of products. If you want to save energy by turning off the freezer, make sure that there are no food items left in it that require deep freezing. Defrosting meat if stored incorrectly can lead to the growth of bacteria.
What happens inside during super freezing?
In this mode, a bypass valve (in some models) or a time relay forcibly keeps the compressor on. The thermostat is temporarily ignored, which allows you to lower the temperature in the chamber to -24°C and below in a short time.
Step-by-step instructions for shutting down
To safely complete the procedure, follow the algorithm corresponding to the type of control of your refrigerator. Violation of the sequence of actions can lead to incorrect operation of the sensors.
☑️ Algorithm for turning off the freezer
For mechanical models with two compressors:
- Open the refrigerator door.
- Locate the control panel (usually top right).
- Locate the freezer control (often right).
- Turn the knob counterclockwise until it clicks or the number 0.
- Listen to the operation of the unit: the noise of one of the compressors should stop after 5-10 minutes.
For electronic models:
- Press and hold setting button (usually 3-5 seconds) until the beep.
- Using the navigation buttons, select the freezer icon.
- Reduce the temperature value to minimum or select the dash/off symbol.
- Confirm the action with the "OK" or "Enter" button.
After completing the steps, it is recommended to wait about an hour for the system to stabilize and check the temperature in the remaining working chamber. If you turn off the freezer, make sure that the food in the refrigerator compartment is not overcooled due to changes in heat flows (important for older models).
Frequent errors and precautions
When trying to modify the operation of the refrigerator, users often make mistakes that can cost expensive repairs. The most common of them is an attempt to physically block the temperature sensor or seal the air supply channels. This is a gross violation of the operating rules.
Another mistake is ignoring defrosting. If you turn off the freezer for a long period of time, the remaining moisture and ice will turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and a source of persistent odor, which is then extremely difficult to remove from the porous plastic panels.
- 🚫 Never use sharp objects to chip ice before turning it off - you can damage the evaporator.
- 💧 Be sure to collect melt water in container, if the drainage system is not provided for by the design.
- 🧼 After defrosting, wipe the chamber with a soda solution or a special disinfectant.
⚠️ Attention: If, after turning off the freezer, the main refrigerator stops cooling, immediately turn all modes back on. Perhaps your model has an imbalance of refrigerant or there is a malfunction that requires the intervention of a technician.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to turn off the freezer in a single-compressor Atlanta?
Completely turn off the freezer, leaving the refrigeration compartment running in single-compressor rooms models, impossible. They are connected by a common contour. You can only minimize the cold by setting the thermostat to minimum, but this will lead to an increase in temperature in the refrigerator compartment.
Why did the refrigerator compartment become warmer after turning off the freezer?
In some models, especially old ones, there is a flow of cold from the freezer to the main compartment. If you turn off the freezer, this source of cold will disappear. It is also possible that the temperature sensor of the refrigerator compartment is located next to the freezer and “feels” the lack of cold, causing the compressor to work differently.
Do you need to defrost the refrigerator before turning off the freezer?
If you turn off the camera for more than 24 hours, defrosting is required. The remaining ice will melt, water may leak under the seals or onto the floor, and the humid environment will encourage mold growth. A short-term shutdown (for several hours) does not require defrosting.
Is it harmful for a compressor to operate on only one chamber?
For two-compressor models, this is the normal operating mode. Each compressor is designed to operate independently. For single-compressor models, the question is not worth it, since it is technically impossible to turn off one chamber without the other without disrupting the operation of the entire system.