The post discusses the construction of a car air ionizer circuit which can be used for cleansing the atmosphere of car interior from smoke, pollution, dust particles, bad odor, pollen particles etc. The circuit was requested by Mr. Edalcor Zuproc.
Contents
The Circuit Concept
In one of my previous posts we saw how simply a home air ionizer circuit can be built using a handful of capacitors and diodes. The unit works directly on our domestic mains outlet due to the availability of mains power.
The same circuit can be converted to function as a car air ionizer circuit by adding a converter stage to the above circuit.
The converter stage is a simple square wave inverter which converts 12V DC into the required 220V AC for operating the ionizer circuit.
As explained in my previous article, the basic design of the ionizer is taken from the Cockroft-Walton Ladder Network which involves a series. parallel connection of many diodes and high voltage capacitors.
How it Works
When powered with mains voltage the arrangement creates a push pull effect inside the circuit which results in stepping up of the voltage across the subsequent stages. At the far end of the ladder network this stepped up voltage may be as high as 4kV.
For obtaining the fundamental ionizing effect which is supposed to be having many health benefits the stepped up voltage should reach about -4kv.
At this potential, the free end of the radiator tip release negative ions by losing an electron into the atmosphere.
These ions being negatively charged attract everything that's neutral or positively charged.
Dust particles or any suspended particle in the air is by nature a neutral element and therefore when these particles collide with the negatively charged ions, they instantly stick with these ions.
The ions continue colliding with the atmospheric particles until each ion become loaded with these unwanted particles and become too heavy to float. When this happens the ions either get attached to the nearest wall or drop on the floor.
In this way all pollutants are neatly cleansed away from the air by the ionizer unit.
How to Build this Car Inonizer
In the diagram below we can see the circuit to be made up of two distinct stages. The section at the extreme left is the inverter stage, while the section on the right of the transformer is the ionizer stage.
The two stages should be constructed separately on two different boards and tested separately before integrating together.
The ionizer circuit stage which consists mainly of capacitors and diodes looks to be an easy arrangement to assemble, however the entire configuration is quite sensitive to bad solder or leakages through flux deposits.
Even a slightest bit of mistake can render the circuit unresponsive.
All the connections should be made with utmost care, making sure there's no dry solder or flux deposits in between the joined tracks.
The ionizer stage may be tested by powering it with 220V AC at home.
Be extremely careful as the entire circuit is directly linked with mains potential and can inflict lethal shock if touched without precaution. The procedures are explained in this room air ionizer article
The inverter part is much easier as the design includes just a pair of transistor and a few resistors. The transformer is a small 12-0-12V 500 mA type. After making it, power it with a DC 12V source and check the output, it should provide around 220V AC.
For the final testing, the above inverter output AC may be applied to the input of the ionizer circuit for acquiring the required ionizing effect of release of ions across the extreme tip of the ionizer circuit.
Circuit Diagram
Giuseppe says
Hi Swagatam
I want to make if possible to make an analogic frequency duplicator. This circuit, according to my idea, should though a microphone, pick up the sound, convert them (or triple them) and in the next stage reconvert them in analogic order to listen to them again.
Swagatam says
Hi Giuseppe, I am not sure if that would be possible, if you think that would be possible there’s no harm in giving it a try!
Nrupesh says
Hi Swagatam,
is ion generator possible with IR2153 supplied by 220V AC? if yes then give me circuit idea. i have Ozone circuit with it. I want to convert it in ion generator. is it possible?
Swagatam says
Hi Nrupesh, if you are using 220V AC as the input, then IR2153 has no role in it. However if you are referring to a IR2153 based inverter to get the 220V AC output, then it is possible, although other simpler inverters will also work as efficiently.
Uttam says
Please help me for a negative ion generator circuit circuit diagram using 0.1 micro farade PF and 1N 4007 diode, and 1M Ohm resistor for the following parameters: –
Input Voltage: – 12 V DC (Battery)
Output Voltage (negative): -6KV with high discharge negative ion.
Swagatam says
The above circuit will exactly work as per your required specifications. you can try 0.1uF/600V also for the capacitors.
yeshu says
Hello. can we use smd ceramic capacitors? if yes, then can we use same values ?
Swagatam says
Hello, no ceramic caapcitor will not work…..only PPC types will work as shown in the following article:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/make-room-air-ionizer-circuit-get/
yeshu says
okay thankyou.
But can we use smd capacitors?
Swagatam says
The circuit was tested using PPC capacitor so i am not sure whether other types will work or not! If you are having 0.01uF/400 V SMD capacitors, you can try them
Mi Jade says
Hello, Mr. Swagatam
Thanks for your post. it helped me understand ionizer.
and, could I question a thing? how high should the voltage be to generate ions enough?
what do you think about -2.5~ -3kV?
Swagatam says
Hello Mi Jade, any high voltage that is able to generate a bluish glow (corona) around its high voltage end is capable of generating ions. -2.5 V and -3.5 kv should be enough for this process, however -4kv is the ideal voltage for health negative ions
kasra says
hi.
great work.
i have completed this circuit but i want to use it in electrostatic grass applicator.
to do so, another wire is needed at the out put of this circuit.
where should i put that wire in this schematic?
looking forward for your answer.
Swagatam says
Glad you could compete it successfully! Which other wire are you referring to? The high voltage wire is taken from the point where the 3M3 resistors are joined. Please clarify the function or the purpose of this wire, I’ll try to help
santosh says
Dear Swagatam,
I want a negative ion generator/electron emitter to charge air with negative potential & subsequently charge the water particles. The main thing that I am looking in this unit is it should operate on my 12 volts dry cell type battery & should not involve any electric shocks while operating even if by chance I touch it. Kindly let me know if you have any such product or can make one or suggest where to buy one.
Thanks & best regards,
Santosh
Swagatam says
Dear Santosh, when you convert 12V into -4kv then there will be a high voltage condition and a danger of an electric shock, it cannot be avoided.
santosh says
Many Thanks for the speedy & prompt reply, so whats the solution for this requirement. I want this type of instrument to be handle by me at least for 2 to 3 hrs. a day to work better & I don’t want to get electrocute/burnt the very same time. Seek your expert advice/solution. I am ready to buy the unit.
Thanks & warm regards,
Santosh
Swagatam says
You are welcome! The solution is to cover the circuit inside a plastic box and allow only the antenna to protrude out for the required radiation.
santosh says
Glad to know that we have a solution to avoid the electric shock. Kindly guide where to buy this one. I really want a bundle of safe to handle negative ions/electrons.
Thanks & warm regards,
Santosh
Swagatam says
Thank you for your interest, however this item will need to built by the user himself. I may try to build it in future and post a video but at this moment it may be difficult. sorry about it
santosh says
Dear Swagatam, Appreciate your kind & prompt reply. Kindly let me know when I can have this one.
Thanks & warm regards,
Santosh
Swagatam says
Thank you Santosh, I will surely let you know!!
Jack says
Quick question. If instead of negative charge and negative ions one is interested in creating positive charge. What would be required to accomplish the same?
Basically I need to create a high positive voltage and high positive charge for some experiment and came across this setup which creates just the opposite polarity and wanted to see if I can use the same setup with minor tweaks. Thanks.
Swagatam says
You just have to reverse the polarity for all the diodes, that’s all. This would give you approximately +4kv at the pin head.
Jack says
Appreciate your quick reply Swag.
As my intent was to get high voltage DC potential/ charge, to simplify my build I used an off the shelf high voltage ionizer like the one I have listed below.
The thing I am trying to do is to get the opposite polarity than what this device generates. Do let me know if this is not feasible and if I need to build a circuit from scratch as described in this build with the additional step you suggested.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question.
Swagatam says
Thanks Jack, modifying the existing unit may not be feasible, so I think you will have to build it from the scratch as given in the relevant articles.
Jack says
Got it, thanks.
Apisith L. says
Hello ! Mr. Swagatam
I would like to ark about “Ionizer Generator” . I want to make 18-20kv from 12vdc and low current , How to do the best Ionizer ?
Swagatam says
Hello Apisith, I guess 20kv won’t produce healthy ionizing effect, it will produce ozone which is bad for health…
Apisith L. says
Thank for your reply, But I have making a some project about add more Ion into engine only. I have done as your circuit already. It was good condition for engine’s smoke. Then , I want to make a new one to get more ion to test again. Please
Swagatam says
For more power you can try increasing the capacitor value to 0.1uF, or 0.33uF and check the results.
Apisith L. says
Thank you again. Yes, I have done with 0.1uF/630v. x 40 set. But, I can not measure voltage at the end of needle. The current more than 10a. It is too high. I think , It’s should not over 1A .
Swagatam says
The value of the capacitor will determine the current level, and the voltage rating along with the number of ladder networks will determine the voltage level. With the shown network it will be not more than -4kv, if you double the number of ladders it will become -8kv and so on, but as you go on increasing the ladders the current will go down proportionately, therefore you may have to select the value of the capacitor accordingly for compensating the dropping current.
You an take the help of the following article for more info on this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockcroft%E2%80%93Walton_generator
Swagatam says
10 amp is too high, it means your circuit has problems, you must verify the connections carefully, and rectify the fault
Apisith L. says
Ok, Thank you very much I will check it all.
andrew karow says
Correction too much is bad for you a little is just fine. Ozone is generated by all ionizers, but its normally at a level thats not noticeable.
Swagatam says
It will produce AC at the output
akshay kumar says
Sir on my capacitor mpp is written.is it polystyrene capacitor or not
akshay kumar says
Can we use 2000v instead of 600 v capacitor.
Swagatam says
it will do..
akshay kumar says
Sir on my capacitor, following values are written-
"630v103k
TN944MPP"
Is it the right one .
Reply fast sir,i am working on project.
Swagatam says
Akshay, it should look as shown in this pic:
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVqwmMJDWmo/VslT2ma7ZpI/AAAAAAAAM1c/X0roo6rcQOM/s1600/ppc.jpeg
other types might not work.
please read the following article for more info
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/diy-electronics-devices/78220-simple-room-air-ionizer-and-purifier/
akshay kumar says
Sorry sir,i think there is some confusion.the above image link shows a propylene capacitor and in your article you suggested to use polyster caps.
Swagatam says
Akshay, both polyester and PPC will work, I just showed the recommended one, which I had used in my prototype and worked without flaws.
Unknown says
Can we use 2000v capacitor instead of 600v.
emma aubin says
The inverter is not working the transistor keep getting hot. plz if possible could you show the arrangement on a bread board for me
Swagatam says
the circuit is not recommended for breadboard assembly please build it on a PCB….the circuit will definitely work, if done correctly.
emma aubin says
i do not have 2n2222 what is the nearest one to replace it plz
Swagatam says
use any 1 amp npn transistor…8050 will do or D1351, D880 etc
emma aubin says
thank you
Samuel Budiyanto says
Hi Swagatam, how many miliAmpere (current) draw by this circuit from 12V car battery?
When this project use continuously, how many current be need from 12V car battery?
If you can describing the current consumption, I think it can be modified to increasing the efficiency.
Regards
Swagatam says
Hi Samueal, according to me it shouldn't be more than 50mA….
deval says
Hi,
can this circuit be used to induce static electricity in objects? can this circuit replace a van der graaf generator? can I use this circuit to levitate small objects and do fun things like in fun-fly-stick?
Swagatam says
I have no idea about it, I'll have to investigate it and then I can suggest…
Clockwerk Clockwerk says
Sir can i do this on breadboard?
Swagatam says
you can try it, but for best results a PCB is only recommended.
deval says
Hello Sir,
will this negative ion generator work same way as van der graaf generator? can I use the above circuit to induce static electricity and try static electricity experiment like Fun-fly-stick with this circuit? will this circuit also act as negative ion gun?
Thanks
Swagatam says
you can read this article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockcroft%E2%80%93Walton_generator
mihir sahu says
Sir can u explain or show the 12v to 220v step up circuit
Abu-Hafss says
Hi Swagatam
I want to make a smallest possible adapter to power a 40W soldering iron with a 12V battery. Can I use the converter circuit mentioned above. If not, would you please recommend me one.
Swagatam says
Hi Abu-Hafss,
Yes you can try the converter stage for powering a 40 watt soldering iron, but the battery will need to be at least 15ah rated.
Abu-Hafss says
Battery is not a problem. I was just wondering if 12-0-12, 500mA transformer would be suitable to give 40W at 220V.
According to my understanding, the input is
24V x 0.5A = 12VA ≈ 12W
So, maximum we can get 12W at the output. I think a 12-0-12, 2A would be suitable to give 48W. What do you say?
If yes, do we need to upgrade the transistors?
Swagatam says
Multiply the transformer current with its voltage rating, does it equal 40 watts?? In fact the rating should be in excess to the required mark by a reasonable margin, only then it would produce the desired output.
12 x .5 = 6 watts, that's what you would get at the maximum from a 500 mA trafo.
Swagatam says
You will have to use a 5amp trafo for optimal handling.