The situation when food in the refrigerator begins to spoil faster than usual, and milk turns sour in a matter of hours, a problem familiar to many owners of household appliances. If you are the owner of a Belarusian-made unit, the question “Atlant refrigerator how to increase the cold” becomes paramount for you. Often the problem lies not in the breakdown of the compressor, but in incorrect settings or trivial operating problems that can be easily corrected on your own.
Before calling a technician or thinking about purchasing new equipment, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the current operating conditions of the device. Temperature conditions Inside the chambers can be disrupted due to many factors: from banal overloading of shelves to failure thermostat. Understanding the operating principles of your model will allow you to quickly return the equipment to service.
In this article we will look at all possible ways to increase cooling capacity, from simply adjusting the knobs to checking the tightness of the circuit. You will learn how to properly configure single-compressor and double-compressor models so that they work with maximum efficiency.
Basic setting of temperature controllers
The most obvious, but often ignored step is checking the position of the thermostat knob. In most Atlant models, especially in the MXM and KSh series, control is carried out by a mechanical rotary switch. The scale is usually marked with numbers from 1 to 7, where one means minimal cooling, and seven means maximum freezing.
Many users mistakenly believe that setting the knob to maximum will immediately solve the problem. However, this can lead to freezing products in the main chamber and excessive load on the compressor, which will work non-stop. The optimal value for everyday work is considered to be a position between 3 and 4.
If your model has an electronic control panel, the process looks different. Here you need to enter the settings menu and change the target values. For the main chamber, the range from +3 to +5 degrees Celsius is considered normal, and for the freezer – from -18 to -24.
⚠️ Attention: A sharp change in the thermostat settings does not give an instant result. The compressor needs from 2 to 5 hours to stabilize the temperature background inside the chambers after reconfiguration.
When setting up, it is important to take into account seasonality. In the summer, when the ambient temperature in the room is high, it may be necessary to shift the regulator towards lower temperatures (large numbers) to compensate for heat gain.
Checking the tightness of the door seal
One of the most common causes of loss of cold is a loose fit of the door to the body. Rubber seal over time dries out, cracks, or simply becomes contaminated with grease, which is why warm air from the room constantly enters the chamber. The compressor tries to compensate for this heat flow, but often fails.
Carry out a visual inspection of the rubber around the entire perimeter. There should be no cracks, tears or visible deformations. Pay special attention to the corners of the door - this is where peeling most often occurs. If the seal is simply dirty, it must be thoroughly washed with warm water and soapy water.
There is a simple and effective test using a sheet of paper. Open the door, place the sheet on the seal and close the door. The sheet should be clamped tightly. If it falls out or is easily pulled out without resistance, it means that the seal is broken in this place.
- 🧼 Wash the seal thoroughly with soapy water to remove grease and sticky residue.
- 🔥 If the rubber is deformed, try gently warming it with a hairdryer (without overheating!) and straighten it with your fingers.
- 🔧 Check the door hinges: if they are skewed, the rubber will not fit evenly.
- 💰 If there are deep cracks, the only solution is to replace the seal with a new one.
The influence of loading and air circulation
Correct placement of products is the key to stable operation of the refrigerator. In Atlant models, especially with the No Frost or “Crying Wall” system, free circulation of air flow is critically important. If you tightly pack the chamber to the very top, blocking the ventilation holes, the cold simply cannot be distributed evenly.
The back wall of the refrigerator is often equipped with special channels or holes through which cooled air is supplied. It is strictly forbidden to push products close to the rear panel. The minimum distance from the food to the wall should be 5-7 centimeters.
Also, you should not load hot or even warm foods into the refrigerator. This creates a sharp jump in temperature and humidity, which causes the compressor to work harder. Heat inflows hot products can temporarily “knock down” the thermostat settings, and the cold in the chamber will disappear for several hours.
| Location area | Recommended products | Temperature conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Top shelf | Ready meals, drinks, milk | +4...+6 °C |
| Middle shelf | Meat, fish (in closed) | +2...+4 °C |
| Bottom shelf | Vegetables, fruits (in the freshness zone) | +5...+7 °C |
| Door | Sauces, eggs, drinks | +6...+8 °C |
☑️ Checking the refrigerator load
Maintenance and defrosting
Even modern models require regular maintenance. If your refrigerator is not equipped with an automatic water drainage system (No Frost), the formation of an ice “coat” on the walls is inevitable. A layer of ice only 5-10 millimeters thick acts as a heat insulator, preventing normal cooling of the internal volume.
In this case, the compressor is forced to work continuously, trying to break through the ice shell, but the cold does not enter the chamber. Regular defrosting (at least 2 times a year) allows you to remove ice build-up and restore heat exchange. For models with a drip system, simply turn off the device at night.
In addition, it is necessary to check the condition of the drainage hole. It is located at the bottom of the rear wall of the main chamber. If it is clogged with crumbs or slime, the condensation does not go away, freezes and can block the heat dissipation system.
⚠️ Attention: Never use a knife, screwdriver or other sharp objects to chip ice. Damage to the evaporator (tubes inside the wall) will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs.
After defrosting, be sure to wipe the internal surfaces dry. The moisture remaining on the walls will quickly turn into a new ice crust when turned on. Also check the cleanliness of the condenser (grid) at the back of the refrigerator - a layer of dust on it impairs heat transfer.
How to defrost the Atlant refrigerator correctly?
Disconnect the appliance from the mains, remove all food. Leave the doors open for 10-12 hours (or until all the ice has melted). Place containers to collect water. Do not speed up the process with a hair dryer or boiling water - a sharp temperature change is dangerous for plastic and tubes.
Diagnostics of the “Super Freeze” mode
Many owners of Atlant refrigerators forget about the existence of the “Super Freeze” button or switch. This mode is designed for quickly freezing large quantities of fresh food. When activated, the compressor runs continuously, ignoring the thermostat readings.
If you turned on this mode to freeze berries or meat and forgot to turn it off, the refrigerator will freeze “all the way.” In this case, the main chamber may become too cold, which will lead to freezing of vegetables and spoilage of other products. Check the control panel: if the snowflake indicator or Super is on, the mode is active.
In mechanical models, this switch can be made in the form of a separate red button or lever next to the thermostat. In automatic models, the mode turns off itself after a certain time (usually 24-48 hours), but it is better to control this process.
- ❄️ The mode is used for quick freezing of fresh food.
- ⏱️ Do not keep the mode on for more than 24 hours unless necessary.
- 🔌 After freezing, be sure to return the switch to its original position.
When you need to call a technician: signs of malfunction
If you have completed all the settings, checked the seal and defrosted the unit, but the cold does not increase, a technical breakdown has probably occurred. In this case, you can’t do anything on your own; professional diagnosis is required..
Most often, a refrigerant (freon) leak occurs in Atlant refrigerators. This can happen due to tube corrosion or mechanical damage. Signs: the compressor works constantly or very rarely, the condenser (grid at the back) is cold or only partially warm, the chamber is warm.
Another common problem is the failure of the thermostat. If it is “stuck,” the compressor may not turn on at all, or, conversely, may not turn off. The starting relay or the motor-compressor itself may also burn out, which is accompanied by characteristic clicks when trying to start.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the Atlant refrigerator freeze only near the back wall?
This is normal for models with a “crying” defrosting system. The back wall is an evaporator; frost freezes on it, which then melts and flows into the drain. The main thing is that the cold is distributed throughout the chamber after the compressor cycle.
Is it possible to increase the cold by adding a second thermostat?
Theoretically it is possible, but this requires deep knowledge of electrical engineering and intervention in the factory circuit. Self-installation of third-party regulators may result in a short circuit or damage to the compressor. It is better to adjust the standard regulator or replace it with a new one.
How long should a new refrigerator get cold?
After the first turn-on or long-term transportation, the Atlant refrigerator takes 2 to 4 hours to reach operating mode. At this time, it is not recommended to load food and often open the doors.
Does the location of the refrigerator affect the cold?
Yes, absolutely. If the refrigerator is located close to the wall or in a niche without gaps, the condenser cannot release heat. It is necessary to leave at least 5-10 cm of clearance at the back and sides for free air circulation.