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			TROUBLESHOOTING ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANERS PROBLEMS.

			
			
See also Honeywell's Product Data pdf file (900KB)

			Another Troubleshooting
			guide of the F50F Air Cleaners

It is fully your responsibility to do this work safely or have another do it for you.

Make sure the amber light glows when the fan comes on. This tells us that the power supply 
is getting high voltage output (8,500 Volts).

Remember that the cells will not work when they are wet. You may put them in the unit when 
they are wet but they will not work until they are dry. The control circuitry will even know 
that they are wet.

Remove one of the two cells from the machine. With the remaining cell inserted fully to the 
back see if it functions normally with the fan running. This will not test with the red "test" 
button and may be difficult to diagnose.  If possible, reach into the return air and manually 
short across any of the cell fins. You should get a nice blue spark about a quarter to on third 
inch long. Use a well insulated tool for this. You can short them together or to the frame.

Whether this proves successful or not, repeat the same test with the other cell. Possibly this 
will narrow it down to a problem with just one cell.

Cell inspection: Very carefully visually examine the cells.  Do this excessively well due to 
the optical illusion effect of looking into the parallel fins.

Make sure the wires on the cells are intact and not broken.  Remove any lint on the ends of them 
or elsewhere. 

Examine the prefilters to make sure there is no aluminum strands getting too close to the cells.

Remove all of the cells, prefilters and postfilters (if you have them) and examine the inside of 
the frame and contacts. A heavy carbon dust will build on it and cause electricity to jump to 
ground.

Examine the contacts for evidence of "carbon tracking" to ground. This literally can have a 
canal cut into the material and may cause shorting to the frame.  If it exists, clean it with 
Windex or some other window cleaner and a steel brush. You can use any other brush if necessary, 
but try to clean it well and let it dry.

Lastly, if none of the above things make it work properly and no defects were discovered, you 
need to examine the wiring and components of the power supply.  Look especially for bad connections 
at the cell contact board and carbon tracking on its back side.  Look for broken wires, especially 
leads to the contact boards. They may be shorting to ground. Do this inspection only with the unit 
unplugged. Short the contact board to ground and even then be cautious.  

This power box contains very high voltage and can cause you to hurt yourself.

It is fully your responsibility to do this work safely or have another do it for you. 

Feel free to call my toll free number if you wish to talk more about your particular findings.