It's unusual to find NOS (New Old Stock) ionisers, and when I bought this random one on ebay I didn't even know it was new or even what brand it was. It turns out it's an early Dezac Breathe Easy ioniser and the lack of a plug suggests it's pretty old.
I was actually quite excited until I opened it, since I don't think I'd seen this particular model of ioniser before. Then that excitement turned to disappointment when I opened it and realised it was an older version of what I regard as one of the worst ioniser designs ever produced.
The circuitry is all absolutely fine, but the layout on the PCB seems to have been done with misguided economy in mind and as a result the high voltage end of the voltage multiplier is brought straight back to the low voltage end with spacing that alludes to a complete misunderstanding of the characteristics of high voltage ionisation.
The current involved in ionisation is very low so any leakage either by direct tracking or local ionisation is critical. These ionisers probably worked for a while, but would gradually stop working due to internal tracking.
I had a dig around and found another version of this design with a more modern case that had been in use for some time, and the internal effects of the poor spacing are very visible.

6 thoughts on “Internal examination of an old nos dezac breathe easy ioniser.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The2fix says:

    Got a question about the capacitors. Which type should I use for 220V AC? Since I'm planning to built my own ioniser with a full wavelenght voltage multiplier and I found the scheme online, it recommends 275V 100nF but sir bigclive says those capacitors within the Dezac ioniser rated for 630V 10nF are the correct ones. Should I take those 10nF instead of 100nF ?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Arlen Moulton says:

    could you cover the tracks with nail polish to insulate them?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ahnassi says:

    I wonder if you could salvage those by removing the needles and tracks leading up to the needles and then making a separate board with new needles outside of the case.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jasper Janssen says:

    I have used that exact project box, except in light grey. It came with flat blade screws…

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pentti Hilkuri says:

    Stop your disappointment and just make a separate board for the needles =)

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jackbox says:

    Breath easy probably not a good name then Clive. 🙂

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