This style of unit isn't new, but this is one of the neatest implementations I've see.
It's an air steriliser for small areas like cupboards and fridges (but not freezers).
It works by generating a high voltage inside in a well potted module that is probably a classic Royer oscillator, step up transformer and probably a voltage multiplier too based on external test results.
It applies the high voltage to a sharp spike like an ioniser, but instead of imparting a charge into the room it has a metal ring in front of it at the opposite polarity that attracts the emitted ions so vigorously that it creates a small corona discharge at the tip of the spike. The high flow of electrons also causes a movement of the air in the vicinity causing a noticeable draught from the front of the unit with no moving parts.
As the air passes through the corona discharge oxygen molecules (O2 = 2 atoms of oxygen) are split apart into individual oxygen atoms that recombine randomly, producing a small quantity of ozone (O3 = three atoms of oxygen). Since ozone is an unstable form of oxygen the molecules try and get rid of the third atom of oxygen onto anything it touches, oxidising it in the process.
This has the effect of a gaseous form of bleach which can get rid of organic smells while also damaging mold spores, bacteria and viruses. When placed in a fridge the unit will neutralise odours and help keep food fresh for longer.
This unit has a 500mAh lithium cell that can be recharged using a standard micro USB connector. When in use the unit runs continuously for 30 minutes to give a strong initial sterilisation, but then goes into a top-up mode where it runs for 5 minutes every hour.
The construction of this gadget is surprisingly good. It's got a very nice case and everything is laid out sensibly inside with proper support for an easily removed lithium cell, and plugs for the PSU, cell and front panel button. The circuitry is fairly sensible and the actual operation in my fridge immediately neutralised the smell of strong out of date cheese.
Based on the operating current and near zero current in its off-state I initially estimated the run time to be over a week on a charge. Unfortunately the software is not putting the processor to sleep during standby, so the quiescent current between the hourly bursts of ozone is around 2mA. That might not sound much, but it almost doubles the daily power use and means the run time is going to be nearly half of what it could have been. If the processor has an internal wake timer then it could have woken every second or two, pulsed the LED and then gone back to sleep again, doubling the operational time per charge.
The ozone output will also fall as the lithium cell discharges and its voltage drops. So the main clue that it's time for a recharge could be the natural aroma of a fridge.
It's notable that the unit will not run while plugged in to recharge. That seems a strange thing to do, since they actually added extra components to detect that, and it could have been useful to have it running 24/7 in a larder. But it can be hacked.... Even solar-charged if the sense circuit has the 10K resistor removed.
You can find these on eBay if you search for - USB rechargeable ozone . But be aware that there are still a lot of pandemic price gougers around, so the target price is $20 or less. If you can't find it near that then leave it for a while until prices return to normal.
Sharp use the same technology to produce very small levels of ozone in their plasmacluster products, which they then mix into the air with a quiet but powerful fan. (They specifically avoid mentioning that their units create trace ozone.) Since the Sharp units are designed for long operation in large areas they have replaceable cartridges with new power supplies and emitters in them, as the tips of the spikes can be blunted over time by the action of the corona discharge.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
It's an air steriliser for small areas like cupboards and fridges (but not freezers).
It works by generating a high voltage inside in a well potted module that is probably a classic Royer oscillator, step up transformer and probably a voltage multiplier too based on external test results.
It applies the high voltage to a sharp spike like an ioniser, but instead of imparting a charge into the room it has a metal ring in front of it at the opposite polarity that attracts the emitted ions so vigorously that it creates a small corona discharge at the tip of the spike. The high flow of electrons also causes a movement of the air in the vicinity causing a noticeable draught from the front of the unit with no moving parts.
As the air passes through the corona discharge oxygen molecules (O2 = 2 atoms of oxygen) are split apart into individual oxygen atoms that recombine randomly, producing a small quantity of ozone (O3 = three atoms of oxygen). Since ozone is an unstable form of oxygen the molecules try and get rid of the third atom of oxygen onto anything it touches, oxidising it in the process.
This has the effect of a gaseous form of bleach which can get rid of organic smells while also damaging mold spores, bacteria and viruses. When placed in a fridge the unit will neutralise odours and help keep food fresh for longer.
This unit has a 500mAh lithium cell that can be recharged using a standard micro USB connector. When in use the unit runs continuously for 30 minutes to give a strong initial sterilisation, but then goes into a top-up mode where it runs for 5 minutes every hour.
The construction of this gadget is surprisingly good. It's got a very nice case and everything is laid out sensibly inside with proper support for an easily removed lithium cell, and plugs for the PSU, cell and front panel button. The circuitry is fairly sensible and the actual operation in my fridge immediately neutralised the smell of strong out of date cheese.
Based on the operating current and near zero current in its off-state I initially estimated the run time to be over a week on a charge. Unfortunately the software is not putting the processor to sleep during standby, so the quiescent current between the hourly bursts of ozone is around 2mA. That might not sound much, but it almost doubles the daily power use and means the run time is going to be nearly half of what it could have been. If the processor has an internal wake timer then it could have woken every second or two, pulsed the LED and then gone back to sleep again, doubling the operational time per charge.
The ozone output will also fall as the lithium cell discharges and its voltage drops. So the main clue that it's time for a recharge could be the natural aroma of a fridge.
It's notable that the unit will not run while plugged in to recharge. That seems a strange thing to do, since they actually added extra components to detect that, and it could have been useful to have it running 24/7 in a larder. But it can be hacked.... Even solar-charged if the sense circuit has the 10K resistor removed.
You can find these on eBay if you search for - USB rechargeable ozone . But be aware that there are still a lot of pandemic price gougers around, so the target price is $20 or less. If you can't find it near that then leave it for a while until prices return to normal.
Sharp use the same technology to produce very small levels of ozone in their plasmacluster products, which they then mix into the air with a quiet but powerful fan. (They specifically avoid mentioning that their units create trace ozone.) Since the Sharp units are designed for long operation in large areas they have replaceable cartridges with new power supplies and emitters in them, as the tips of the spikes can be blunted over time by the action of the corona discharge.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
Nice! I'd like something like this for my freezer, I guess I'll have to do something else to remove the smell, maybe try baking soda.
I actually bought this product and am pleased to say it works and gets rid of the smells
Can I use this inside my car? If so, can I somehow make it stick on a surface in my car? Like a dashboard or something?
"Ill probably have the shits later on" You always sneak in those one liners that crack me up.
I run mine in our fridge and get a bit more than a week between charges. Thanks for doing this; now I don't hafta tear mine down!
Mine works very well.
I have bought one too (or at least similar looking), and mine is able to charge and produce ozone at the same time. Perhaps they have learned, or they are of different manufacturers.
Edit Aug 2021: Mine went defect, so I opened it to see what's wrong. The circuit is almost the same, except pin 5 of the MCU is not connected. Therefore it could charge and produce ozone at the same time. It turned out that the dual mosfet is defect. The gate is still switched, but the mosfet does not start to conduct.
Also mine had three spikes/holes at the front. So although it looked the same, internal there were differences.
A little smear of silicone grease might aid reconstruction?
Won't ozone make your food go off faster?
And now my fridge contains ozone.
🐻💩🌲🌳🌲🌳
"… probably have the shits later " now class this is what's called shaaaring, repeat after me SHAAAAARING🤣🤣🤣🤣
old funky cheese used to do that to me also, but now I can't touch the stuff.
If I put more ozone in my computer area will I get more power from my computer? … … um… But I've already been sterilized after the last kid! Will ozone give me redder blood?
Apparently, there is a newer version that can run while charging. I just got one of these in the mail. It also has slightly different specs: Ozone output is listed as 8 mg/h instead of 2 mg/h, it has a 600 mAh battery instead of 500 mAh, and it runs for 10 minutes per hour instead of 5 minutes per hour (according to the manual).
I bought two of those and the battery lasts over two weeks!
i nearly followed through from laughing