In Car Air Ionizer.

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Jim Henderson

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Always wondered if these things were worthwhile but never wanted to spend much money, usually about $30. The local Big 5 was having a clearance and I got one for $10. It is called Anex brand Vehicle Air Ionizer and plugs into the lighter.

I have only had it a day so I don't know how well it clears the air but I will say that the buzz it makes is obtrusive. You can hear it in the background even with the stereo on and the windows open. Constant, buzzzzz. Not loud but it's there.

I probably would not recommend it to anyone who is irritated by background noises. I might consider running it while on long road trips where the windows are closed. Afterall what's the point if the windows are open. Also I plan to leave it running at night when the car is parked.

One possible warning, I think this thing draws a fair amount of energy. It is slightly warm in the morning and I have a simple LED battery condition monitor which shows the battery is down somewhat in the morning.

An interesting design. Essentially 4 NE2 neon tubes wrapped in a metal gauze. I suspect the unit takes the 12v DC and converts it to some 100+ AC and either drives the NE2 tubes directly or the gauze is charged which ionizes the gas.

I will see if the air makes me feel more lively and full of energy as I use it. Also I think the tell tale of an ionizer is that a lot of dirt particles settle onto horizontal surfaces, will look for those.

Just my observations so far. Probably snake oil.

Jim Henderson
 
Totally snake oil. Vehicles aren't sealed, so there is always an influx of new air. You would need a huge ionizer to do what you are asking.
 
Not really snake oil or smell wouldn't gather either would it, they do help some espically since they draw little power and can be left overnight. They also work in 2 ways some attract the "particles" to a charged disc or plater(s). Others send out a static into the air which grab onto dust, etc.. and cause them to fall to the ground. I have seen many for cars and home most have very little if any hum usually the cheap ones or a damaged one maybe one which needs cleaned sometimes will. Also fyi they do make a hugh ionizer which isn't cig lighter size and is the size of the mini home unit. Though it dos power from the lighter/power outlet.
 
Motts said:
do you have a pic of the one you got?
Click to expand...


Assuming you wanted a pic of the original on this thread, ionizer...

Hope this gets thru...

Jim Henderson

ionizer 005.jpg


ionizer 004.jpg
 
FWIW, got in the car this am with the ionizer running overnite and indeed the car did seem fresher and had a kind of crisp feel to it. Outside was muggy and smelled different than inside the car.

maybe it works, but still buzzy.

Jim Henderson
 
Jim Henderson said:
FWIW, got in the car this am with the ionizer running overnite and indeed the car did seem fresher and had a kind of crisp feel to it. Outside was muggy and smelled different than inside the car.

maybe it works, but still buzzy.

Jim Henderson
Click to expand...


let me know how that goes.. i may be interested in getting one
 
those little ones are not very efficient but you do usually get what you pay for. Sharper Image makes an in-car ionizer that is rather large. It straps over the back of the seat and it works VERY well. You can smoke in the car with the windows up and the ac blowing and in no time the car is fresh again. BUT being Sharper Image they are expensive.
 
There is a certain smell that every ionizer gives off and its the same though strength varies. Some buzz some hardly do at all though its always there to some extent but in a small one like that you shouldn't hear it. I have a nexxtech or centrios one same size and there is no sound and there is a small light on the end so you can tell its running. Leaving it overnight kills food smell or something similar, but a constant like say smoking is going to require running a cleaner through the a/c system. Not always a full flush but there are sprays and spray foams that kill the bacteria and scents that build up on the inside of the vents and condenser I believe. This type of odor/bacteria can be very difficult to eliminate and may require a flush of the a/c system or even a professional cleaning or replacement of some componets. In that case any ionizer can only help to cover it up enough to help it from bothering you as much. If you have a cabin air filter try changing this or if its clean pay close attention to it if smoking is done to the car.
 
I had a guy tell me at a used car dealership that they use a VERY large ionizer in their used used cars that have been smoked in with tremendous results. They just leave in in the car for a couple of days. But he had a warning...he said that using it a lot will deteriorate the window and door seals...among other rubber products. I think some research wouldn't hurt here.
 
The way I figure, running it during my drive is not worthwile since I love to drive with all the windows open, sunroof open and heater full blast if it is cold. So the little ionizer essentially is drowned in filthy dirty air.

Where I think it would be worthwhile is when I go on a long trip with the windows closed because it is too hot, too cold or too wet.

The buzz is kind of like a those old fashion neon signs or a bug zapper that isn't currently frying a bug. Not loud but definitely noticable even with the radio on about 1/3 of the volume bars.

My car is relatively clean and doesn't have any strong odors other than an occasional onionring cheeseburger combo smell. But if I leave the ionizer runing overnite the car definitely smells cleaner and somehow crisp. Course if I left the cheeseburger wrapper in there, it still smells a bit burgery, but crisp eh.

I think the unit is too small for serious smell problems but does OK in a closed car with low odor generation potential.

The original sticker was something like $20 and Big 5 was clearancing them for $10 so I figured what the heck, cheap enough to not care. I have used ionizer/air filters at home and they are effective but you will notice more dust deposits on flat surfaces.

Interesting thought on deterioration of seals etc. I guess it makes sense since one of the results of the ionier is ozone if I recall, which is bad for plastics and rubber etc.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson
 
Jim,
It produces Ozone and over time will affect any rubber that it comes in contact with. (I know the grammar is bad but it just sounds stilted to write it correctly) Lincolnlov
 
Just an update...

Well heck. I think the ionizer gave up the ghost. I left it running overnight and left it on today. Today was maybe in the high 90s.

When I got in the car late this afternoon, the ionizer was off. I played with it a bit, but still nothing.

It has that overheated or burned electronic component smell to it.

So unless letting it cool down allows it to reset some magical circuit breaker, I think this unit is dead.

So much for my experiement with cheap ionizers.

Jim Henderson
 
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