my TCH has plasmacluster when does this operate and can this be operated manually?

 

If you're talking about the "air freshener" there's no control for it.

 

It is on whenever you have the climate controls on. It is located within the driver-side vent airway.

 

Thanks for correcting me there. I forgot to mention that part. I was curious about that when I first got mine. I am kind of becoming addicted to finding out how everything operates on this vehicle now.

 

And I pray I did not give misinformation ... as my mind fails I need to start adding qualifiers like "I think."

 

how come i dont hear noises when it works anymore?
before i used to hear sounds that it works i hear static sounds when its operating...
and how do you know if your plasmacluster is broke?

 

I haven't looked at this particular ion generator, but I am familiar with other ion generators. They have been used as air cleaners for many years. An ion generator consists of charged pieces of metal that emit electrons (ions) into the passing air stream. The charge makes the dust particles stick to other surfaces, and so "cleans" the air. Some ion generator products have built-in filters that are positively charged, to collect the particles. They have been used as "smoke eaters" in bars, and as air purifiers in homes, for many years.

Ion generators don't make noise when they are operating properly. Sometimes the space between the + and - electrical plates in an ion generator can accumulate debris, and then it can short and make sparking noises, but that happens only when it is dirty. Cleaning makes the noise go away. There is nothing to break -- no moving parts at all.

The think I don't like about them is that they emit ozone. The charge causes the O2 molecules in the air to separate and make ozone. The ozone damages skin and upholstry, and other products, by a process called oxidation. Over a long period of time, and in high concentration, it can negatively affect your health. Because the generator in this car is very small, I don't think it can put out very much charge, and it can't make much ozone. Then, because of the high rate of ventilation, even that little bit gets flushed out of the cabin very quickly. So I don't think it is likely to have any health effects.

 

Ozone is actually O3 (3 oxygen molecules)...

 

Correct, but it is the stable O2 configuration of "naturally" occuring oxygen that is first broken down, in order to produce the O3 molecules.

 

Sharp (the manufacturer) claims that their Plasmacluster device produces no ozone. An electrically neutral mixture of particles is emitted.

Stan