Optimal temperature conditions are the foundation for the long service of your refrigeration equipment and a guarantee of food safety. For equipment Atlant, which is widespread in the CIS, there are strictly defined factory standards for the operation of the compressor and heat removal system. Understanding these parameters allows you not only to extend the shelf life of vegetables and meat, but also to significantly save on electricity.
Many owners mistakenly believe that the colder it is inside, the better, but this leads to accelerated wear of the unit. In this article, we will analyze in detail the physics of operation of two-compressor and single-compressor models, explain how to correctly set the values on the thermostat and what to do if the real indicators deviate from the norm.
Correct operation refrigeration circuit depends on many factors: from the tightness of the seal to the temperature in the room where the device is located. We will consider all the nuances so that you can independently diagnose the problem or simply adjust the equipment for maximum efficiency.
Temperature standards for various chambers
Modern refrigerators Atlant are divided into models with a drip defrosting system and technology No Frost, which directly affects the distribution of cold. In the main chamber, designed for storing prepared dishes, vegetables and drinks, the ideal range is from +2 to +5 degrees Celsius. It is at these indicators that the growth of bacteria slows down, but the products do not freeze.
The freezer requires more severe conditions. Here the temperature should drop to -18 degrees and below. This value ensures deep freezing, allowing you to store meat and fish for up to 12 months without loss of taste. If you set the Super Freeze mode, the temperature will briefly drop to -24°C, which is useful when loading a large volume of fresh food.
⚠️ Warning: Operating the freezer in the Super Freeze mode for a long time (more than 24 hours) may overload the compressor and increase your electricity bill. Use this mode only when necessary.
It is important to consider that in refrigerators with one compressor, the temperature in different zones of the main chamber may vary. It is always warmer on the top shelf than on the bottom, next to the evaporator. Therefore, it is better to place dairy products in the middle, and meat closer to the back wall, but not close to it.
How to set the thermostat depending on the model
Temperature control in refrigerators Atlant is carried out differently, depending on the year of manufacture and series of the device. Older and budget models use a mechanical thermostat, which is a rotary knob with divisions from 1 to 7. Here the numbers do not indicate degrees, but cooling intensity.
The higher the number on the mechanical knob, the colder it will be in the chamber. The optimal position for year-round operation is considered to be 3 or 4. Setting the regulator to maximum (6 or 7) forces the compressor to work almost non-stop, which in winter can lead to freezing of food, and in summer to freezing of the back wall.
In more modern electronically controlled models, the settings are made through a display on the door or a hidden panel. Here you set specific degrees. Standard recommendation for electronic panel: +3°C for refrigerator and -18°C for freezer. This accuracy allows you to adapt the operation of the device to the current load.
The influence of external factors on the operation of the refrigerator
The temperature inside the chambers directly depends on environmental conditions. If the refrigerator Atlant is in the kitchen next to a hot stove or in direct sunlight, the cooling system has to work harder. In such conditions, even with the correct thermostat settings, the actual temperature may be higher than normal.
The room temperature is a critically important parameter. Most models are designed to work in climate class N (normal), which implies a range from +16 to +32 degrees Celsius. If the room is colder than +10 degrees, the oil in the compressor thickens, and the unit may not start or fail.
It is also worth considering the frequency of door opening. Each opening lets in warm, moist air that condenses on the walls and food. If there are often guests in the house or there are small children, it makes sense to set the thermostat half a notch more powerful to compensate for heat inflows.
What is a climate class?
Climate class is a characteristic indicating at what ambient temperature the refrigerator operates effectively. Denoted by the letters: N (normal), SN (subnormal), ST (subtropical), T (tropical). You can find it on a sticker inside the camera or on the back wall.
Table of correspondence between modes and temperatures
For ease of setup and diagnostics, we present a summary table that will help you navigate the instrument readings and the positions of the regulators. Remember that these values are averaged for working equipment.
| Storage area | Optimal temperature | Mech position. regulator | Shelf life (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezer compartment | -18°C ... -24°C | 5-6 (or Max mode) | up to 12 months |
| Top shelf (main) | +5°C ... +7°C | 3 | 1-3 days |
| Middle shelf (main) | +3°C ... +5°C | 3-4 | 3-5 days |
| Bottom shelf (at the evaporator) | +1°C ... +2°C | 4 | up to 7 days |
| Freshness zone (if yes) | 0°C ... +1°C | Autonomous circuit | up to 14 days |
Using this table will allow you to quickly check whether yours is configured correctly refrigeration unit. If, when the regulator is set to “3”, the temperature on the middle shelf is +8°C, then maintenance or replacement of the seal is required.
Diagnostics of faults based on temperature signs
A violation of the temperature regime is often the first signal of a breakdown. If you notice that food in the main chamber has begun to freeze, and in the freezer, on the contrary, has begun to melt, this may indicate a refrigerant leak or a malfunction of the thermostat. In two-compressor models Atlant such symptoms often indicate the failure of one of the compressors.
The formation of a “snow coat” on the back wall of the main chamber with a drip defrosting system indicates that the evaporator temperature drops below zero and the defrosting cycle does not occur on time. This may be caused by sticky thermostat contacts or a malfunction of the defrost heater in models No Frost.
⚠️ Attention: If the refrigerator makes loud clicking noises when trying to start, but does not cool, do not try to change the thermostat right away. Often the problem lies in the start-up relay or the compressor itself. Diagnostics with a multimeter is required.
Another alarming symptom is continuous operation of the motor. If the compressor hums for hours without rest breaks, and the temperature does not drop to the set values, check the integrity of the sealing rubber. The passage of warm air causes the system to wear out, trying to compensate for heat loss.
☑️ Check if a breakdown is suspected
Operating rules for stable cold
For the refrigerator Atlant worked for a long time and maintained the set temperature, you must follow simple loading rules. Do not place hot pots inside - this will cause the temperature and humidity to spike, forcing the compressor to work in extreme mode. Allow the food to cool to room temperature before putting it on the shelf.
Arrange foods so that air circulates between them. In models with the system No Frost the ventilation holes on the rear wall cannot be closed, otherwise the cold air will not be distributed evenly throughout the chamber. In appliances with a drip system, on the contrary, there is no need to press the food tightly against the back wall so that they do not freeze.
It is also important to monitor the cleanliness of the condenser located on the back wall or in the base of the device. Dust and pet hair create a heat-insulating layer, preventing heat transfer. This leads to an increase in the temperature inside the chambers and an increase in the load on the engine.
Why is there a different temperature on the shelves in the Atlant refrigerator?
This is a physical feature of convection cooling. Cold air is heavier than warm air, so it sinks. In addition, the cold source (evaporator) is usually located at the top of the rear wall or behind the panel. Therefore, it is always colder at the bottom, and warmer at the door due to contact with room air when opening.
Is it possible to set the temperature below -24 degrees?
In Atlant household models, manual temperature setting below -24°C is usually not provided for by the design of the thermostat. The “Super Freeze” mode automatically maintains this temperature for a limited time, after which it switches to the standard mode -18°C to save compressor life and prevent damage to the structure of food.
How often do you need to defrost the Atlant refrigerator?
Models with the No Frost system do not require manual defrosting, it is enough to wash them 1-2 times a year. Refrigerators with a drip system (“Crying wall”) need to be defrosted completely when the layer of ice on the back wall reaches 5-7 mm, but at least once every 6-8 months for hygienic treatment.
What to do if the temperature does not hold after defrosting?
If after complete defrosting (at least 24 hours with open doors) the refrigerator does not gain cold for 2-3 hours, the circuit may be damaged or there may be a freon leak. The thermostat could also be faulty. In this case, you need to call a technician; repairing the circuit yourself is impossible.