Why is my SmogHog/Mistbuster Indicator Light Flashing?
One of the easiest ways to tell if your electrostatic air cleaner is working properly is by checking the indicator light. Just because it is on does not mean it is working as it should, but if it is flashing frequently, it means there is a problem. To troubleshoot the flashing light, it is important to understand how electrostatic filtration works and how the indicator lights function.
Electrostatic filtration systems like SmogHog, MistBuster, TriMist, Trion, and many others all use the same principle to capture the mist and smoke out of the air. They charge the particles in the air using an ionizer with 6,000-12,000 volts, then collect it using a collection cell with alternating high voltage and ground plates. The similar charges of the ionized particles, and the high voltage cell plates, repel, and the particles are attracted to the ground. A flashing indicator light means that there is a partial short somewhere in this system, but this can have a few different causes.
Dirty filters: One of the most common reasons an electrostatic filter will start flashing is because the filters are bast due to be serviced. When electrostatic filters collect particles, they build up on the plates and slowly bridge the gap between the high voltage and ground plates. As the gap between these plates narrows, it becomes easier for electricity from the high-voltage plate to jump to the ground. To see if this is the cause, the filters need to be thoroughly cleaned, dried and reinstalled.
Broken/Loose Ionizing Wire: Another problem that can cause a blinking light is a broken or loose ionizing wire. These wires usually are tungsten; after years of use, they can become brittle and break. The wires can also be damaged or loosened by mishandling of the ionizer. Whatever caused the problem, the result is the same, the extra slack in the wire, when blown around, will get too close to one of the ionizer plates and short across to ground. This problem is pretty easy to find, or eliminate from the possibilities, simply by checking each of the ionizer wires for proper tension.
Damaged Cell: If a cell is not maintained properly, or it accidentally is dropped, or somehow else damaged, the ground or high-voltage plates can get bent and the distance between them will be short enough that the high-voltage electricity will arc across the gap. A thorough inspection of the cell plates can find if this is the problem.
Bad/Dirty Insulators: Another possible cause is a cracked, carbon-tracked, or dirty insulator. If water or some other conductive material gets into a crack, or the insulators are extremely dirty or are carbon-tracked, the electricity will ark across the insulator to ground. A thorough inspection of the cell insulators and ionizer insulators can diagnose this problem.
Dirty Contact Boards: This is most commonly a problem on electrostatics that are used to filter water-based coolant mists because of the conductive nature of the coolant. If the contact board on the air filtration unit (where the collection cell/ionizer contact the unit) is extremely dirty or carbon-tracked, electricity can short across to ground. This is very similar to a dirty insulator, but on the supply from the unit, instead of on the collection cell. The contact boards should be wiped down, and inspected in order to fix this type of issue. (Make sure the power is off)
Weak Power supply: If the power supply fails weak, it may not be able to provide the power needed to sustain the load that the cell and ionizer draw. If this is the case, it could cause a blinking light, or the light might not come on at all. The way to differentiate between a good power supply and a weak one is not easy.
First, pull all the filters and the high voltage wires and press the interlock switch to activate power to the power supply. If the light does not come on install a new bulb or read the outputs with a high-voltage meter. If the light comes on or you have proper high voltage Reinstall the wires and then the parts checking voltage each time a wire or part is reinstalled.
If the light comes on with each step or you have voltage until the last ionizer is installed you may have a weak power supply.
Remove both ionizers and put the second one in first, leaving one out and testing again. If the light comes on or you have voltage then we know it’s not the parts that are causing the problem. We know it is not the ionizers as reinstalling the second ionizer should not cause it to blink or voltage to drop. If it does then check the cells in the same fashion.
If they check out ok then it is likely the power supply has failed weak. However, before replacing the power supply be sure all insulators and contacts are clean as residual dirt and detergent can cumulatively increase the load and cause even a good power supply to fail. If this checks ok, replace the power supply.
High Power supply: If the power supply fails high, the voltage supplied to the cell or ionizer will be enough to jump across to ground, without significant buildup on the cells. This can also be found with a high-voltage probe on the power supply.
If you don’t have time to troubleshoot or are unable to resolve the flashing indicator light, do not hesitate to give us a call. We can help you troubleshoot over the phone or on-site. We are also able to provide any parts that you might need to get your air filtration system running properly again.
If you need assistance, in troubleshooting your Electrostatic air filtration system, please give us a call!