Correct installation of household appliances is the foundation for their long and silent operation, especially when it comes to compressor units. Many owners, faced with a hum or spontaneous opening of doors, do not even suspect that the problem lies in a banal misalignment of the body. Adjusting the support elements is the primary and most important stage of installation, which is often ignored in a hurry.
Belarusian-made refrigerators Atlant are equipped with a reliable support system that allows you to compensate for uneven floors in most apartments. Ignoring this step can lead to vibration of the compressor, which over time will cause destruction of the internal tubes or increased wear on the motor. In this article, we will look in detail at how to set the horizontal so that the equipment works like a clock.
Why precise adjustment of the supports is needed
The main purpose of leveling the body is not only aesthetics, but also the correct operation of the self-closing door system. The design of the hinges in the models Atlant is designed for a slight tilt of the body backwards. If the front legs are twisted too low, the door no longer fits tightly to the seal, which leads to loss of cold and freezing of the chamber.
The second critical aspect is the noise level. The compressor, mounted on spring shock absorbers, creates vibration during operation. If the case is skewed, a resonance occurs that is transmitted to the floor and walls. Vibration This is the main enemy of the durability of the equipment, which can be eliminated by correctly adjusting the height of the supports.
In addition, the correct position provides the necessary technological gap between the rear wall of the unit and the wall of the room. This is critical for air circulation around the condenser. Impaired heat exchange can lead to overheating of the refrigerant and increased energy consumption.
Necessary tools and preparation
Before you begin physical impact on the unit, it is necessary to prepare the workplace. You do not need a complex professional tool, but having construction accessories will greatly simplify the task and increase the accuracy of the settings. Free up space around the refrigerator to have access to its bottom from all sides.
For work you will need:
- 🔧 An adjustable wrench or open-end wrench of the appropriate size (usually 10-14 mm).
- 📏 Construction level (bubble) or laser level.
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect hands from sharp edges.
- 🧹 Rags to clean the support area from dust before starting work.
It is important to make sure that the floor at the installation site is dry and clean. If there is slippery linoleum or tile on the floor, it is recommended to place special anti-vibration mats or a piece of dense rubber under the supports, but only after final height adjustment. Rubber pads also help dampen residual vibrations.
Design of the Atlant support system
Refrigerators Atlant usually equipped with two front adjustable supports and two rear fixed wheels or legs. The front elements are threaded rods with a plastic or metal base that are screwed into the unit body. The rear supports are most often used for ease of movement and are not intended for fine-tuning the level.
In some modern models, all four legs can be adjustable, which is found in series with increased chamber volumes. The principle of operation remains unchanged: rotating the support clockwise decreases the height, and counterclockwise increases it. The threaded connection allows you to fix the position quite rigidly, preventing spontaneous scrolling.
Difference between wheels and legs
In models with wheels, the back part is always higher than the front if the floor is flat. Only the front screws are adjustable. In models with four legs, you need to set the rear legs first, then the front ones, creating the desired slope.
Pay attention to the condition of the thread. If the refrigerator is old and has been moved before, the threads may be dirty or oxidized. In this case, before screwing or unscrewing, it is recommended to drop a little machine oil or WD-40 to avoid stripping the threads or breaking the plastic base.
Step-by-step instructions for alignment
The setup process requires a sequence of actions. First you need to loosen the lock nut (if provided by the design of your model), which secures the leg in a given position. Then direct height adjustment is made. After achieving the desired result, the locknut is tightened again, pressing against the body of the refrigerator.
Follow the steps according to the algorithm:
- Move the refrigerator away from the wall at arm's length.
- Put a building level on the top cover of the unit parallel to the front wall.
- Rotate the left and right front supports until the bubble of the level is clearly positioned between the marks.
- Move the level perpendicularly (from the front wall to the back) and check the longitudinal inclination.
☑️ Adjustment checklist
It is critically important to ensure a slight tilt of the body back. This is necessary so that, under the influence of gravity, the door opens on its own when released, and slams tightly when given a slight push. If the doors do not stay open or, conversely, do not want to close on their own, (fine adjustment) of the front supports is required.
Diagnosis of problems after installation
After the adjustment is completed, it is necessary to conduct testing. It often happens that visually everything looks smooth, but when the compressor operates, rattling appears. This may indicate that one of the legs is not sitting firmly on the floor and is vibrating. Check the stability by rocking the unit from corner to corner.
Typical problems and their solutions are presented in the table below:
| Problem | Probable cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| The door does not close itself | Too much forward tilt or horizontal position | Increase the height of the front legs |
| Strong vibration of the body | One of the supports is hanging in the air | Tighten the supports until they are in tight contact with floor |
| Rattling during operation | The lock nuts are not tightened | Press the lock nut tightly to the body with a wrench |
| Door misalignment (gap at top/bottom) | Uneven heights of the left and right supports | Align level, checking the gaps |
Pay attention to the gap between the door and the body. If, after adjusting the legs, you notice that the door is skewed (it fits tightly on one side, but not on the other), the problem may not be in the legs, but in the hinges. However, in 80% of cases, eliminating the skew of the case also solves the problem of a loose seal.
Features of models with wheels
Owners of refrigerators Atlant with a wheel base should know one important detail. Rear wheels often have a fixed height or limited range of adjustment. In such models, the main emphasis is on the front screw supports. If the rear wheels are worn out or have different heights (defects), it will be more difficult to level the unit.
In this case, you can use the wedge method. You can place a rigid plastic or metal plate of the required thickness under one of the rear wheels to level the base. After this, standard adjustments are made to the front legs to create the required slope back.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to adjust the height by leaning your entire weight on the refrigerator door or tilting it to one angle without a safety net. This may result in damage to the heat exchanger or the unit overturning.
It is also worth considering that the wheels must be raised above the floor in the working position if the design provides for lowering the support screws to the floor. If the refrigerator is only on wheels, it may “roll” when vibrating, which creates additional noise. Screw supports must bear the main load.
Frequent installation errors
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the floor level. In older houses, the floors may have a significant slope. Trying to position the refrigerator perfectly horizontally relative to the walls, you may end up with an uneven load on the compressor. Always focus on the bubble level, and not on the visual perception of the floor or tile line.
The second mistake is excessively twisting the front legs. This causes the center of gravity to move too high and forward. When opening a door full of food, such a refrigerator may become unstable and even tip over towards the user. Safety above all, so do not make the front part too high.
The third mistake is weak fixation of the locknuts. Over time, vibration may cause a poorly tightened nut to loosen and the leg will begin to spin. This will cause the corner to sag and re-skewing. Always use a key for final fixation, applying reasonable force.
When professional help is required
In most cases, adjusting the legs is a simple procedure that can be done by anyone. However, there are situations when independent actions do not produce results. If the floor has a complex geometry (for example, a convex “bubble” in the middle), or if the support threads in the refrigerator body are torn, intervention by a specialist may be required.
A specialist’s help is also needed if, after the ideal installation of the legs, strong noise or vibration persists. This may indicate internal malfunctions: wear on the compressor shock absorbers, condenser tubes getting into the housing, or a defect in the motor itself. In such cases, adjusting the supports will no longer help.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that when adjusting, the legs come off the threads or rotate together with the body, stop working. An attempt to forcefully tighten them may lead to damage to the bottom of the refrigerator.
Remember that correct installation will extend the life of the equipment. Spend 15-20 minutes to properly adjust the supports immediately after purchasing or moving, and your Atlant will delight you with silence and stable cold for many years.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator immediately after adjustment?
Yes, you can. Adjusting the feet does not affect the refrigeration circuit or refrigerant. However, if the refrigerator was transported lying down, it needs to stand upright for at least 2-4 hours (or better yet, a day) before turning it on, so that the oil flows into the compressor.
What to do if one leg is lost?
Do not use the refrigerator without one support, this will lead to misalignment. You can temporarily place a block of the required height, but it is better to order an original spare part at the Atlant service center or pick up a universal adjustable support at a furniture fittings store.
How often should you check the position of the legs?
It is enough to check once a year or every time you do general cleaning and move the equipment away. Over time, the legs may turn a little due to vibration, so preventive monitoring will not hurt.