: Hi there.

: My impression of these ionizers is that they are simply a device which
: creates a small constant (more-or-less) spark which creates ozone which
: ultimately helps neutralize the slightly charged dust particles so that
: they are not attracted to our boats. Add a small fan for circulation,
: maybe a paper filter just to get the big stuff out of the air, and that's
: it.

Heath used to have a kit for these. Unfortunately, Heathkits are long gone. As I recall, Honeywell made a model that was similar.

There are also models that are designed to be permanent replacements for home furnace filters. If you know of a furnace that is being replaced with a higher efficiency one,you might be able to separate the filter part, and add your own fan.

You might be able to modify an electronic bug zapper. It probably has similar electronics.

I'm acquainted with air cleaners that are ionizers (they produce negative ions) and also air cleaners that are electrostatic precipitators. There may be some units that do both actions, but I believe what you are dealing with is the latter.

As air flows past the intake it is electrically charged. The grid is also charged, but with with an opposite charge. (if the air is negatively charged, the grid is positively charged) Dust in the air picks up the same charge as the gaseous air. When the airstream goes through the grid the opposite electrostatic charges attract each other, and the grid just grabs that dust out of the air, and it sticks to the grid.

Sometimes the dust particles are large enough that the static charge arcs, like a miniature bolt of lightening, and zaps the dut particle (think bug zapper).

PGJ