A look inside a USB ioniser. 

The satisfied noise at 2:05 X)

those things are hilarious , my step father bought 10 and i took one apart to show him it just had a led

Cool, because I've had those apart in the past and found an AC HV output and mercury glow-lamp. Ozone output, even though they claimed to be "ionizer." But I wanted them for cheap DC high voltage. With DC you can power each one with its own battery, then string them in series for 100KV output or better. Like a VandeGraaff machine. Bury them in your wizard staff for SF cosplay, perhaps with a row of isolated switches (magnet reed?) to only pulse all the batteries when desired. Safe, if well below 100uA. Wear thick soles, touch the HV end while holding the bottom terminal against ground, and go around raising hair or making 100cm sparks. Recently eBay has lots of $3 ionizers with around 8KV output at 12V input, although labeled 6KV. Search terms: anion 12v

So I bought one of these ionizers a while ago, that wasn't a USB based one. I used a semi-dead 9v battery that was more like 6v. As you suggest. This discharging is exactly what happens. The battery and the HV output were both sitting on the same wooden table, and even then I could see the leads (positive or negative) of the 9v battery intermittently discharging to the battery case and (presumably) sending the charge to the table. When I isolated the battery from the case of the HV ionizer with a little more paper etc, the discharging stopped, but man o man, doing that with a USB thumb drive on a laptop sounds like a horrible idea!

just seen one of these on ebay for £1.83 so i have brought one, there is also a 3yr warranty for £8.49, i wonder if anyone has ever got a warranty.

Great way to make spare parts out of computers... :P

Just a note: ionized molecules easily travel 50kph or faster, so they tend to form a "ray" from HV to Earth, or form a tight self repelling spherical region right at the ionizer. A fan cannot distribute them unless it's like a jet engine. However: air ions quickly attach to particles of air pollution, salt crystals or to the other aerosol "cloud nuclei" always present. These they call "large ions," and these travel slowly and can be pushed far away by a fan. I guess this means that, the more polluted your air, the better the needles will work as a "room ionizer." Are ionizers so healthy, if they charge up all the suspended air pollution, so when its inhaled, it will attract to lung surfaces, rather than just being exhaled again? :)

Hi, USB Killer brought me here. :) Just sayin'...

i think the charge will loop to a closer source like the chassis of the laptop or desktop, so not a lot would go via the psu, similar to just plugging in a light to the usb (yes you'll get a tiny amount trying to get to the planet earth). I would be more concerned that any dust would be attracted to the laptop etc, and could clog up the works much sooner than expected

I ordered 5 of those and they do not work(don't emit anions) when connected to a mains-insulated usb charger, because there is no ground source of electrons. However, connecting the metal usb "hub part" to mains ground with a separate wire makes them work fine. Connected to a pc they work, because it's grounded through the mains. They have very little voltage though, you can't feel any wind and they don't charge my body from distance - only when touching the carbons. I think they generate about 2kv. There are now 12V ionizer ''boxes" on ebay for 2 pounds(search for ""12v ionizer"") claiming to be much more powerful though, waiting for them to arrive. Too bad you can't make an "inside" video on them, as they are cast in a resin. If they don't overheat (they claim

I used to have an ioniser briefly in the '90s. It was a big mains powered brick of a thing. What's interesting is that thing said in the instructions not to have anything electronic in the same room as it, whereas this is pictured plugged into a PC. I never noticed a problem with any electronics in the same room and I don't know how much of a problem it really would be.

I dunno if I'd want that many ions near a laptop, even without it raising the laptop itself to a high positive voltage. Power problems with phones often mess with the screen, which is a capacitive sensor, I think track pads on laptops are the same. I know you can get USB toasters and USB cow hypnotisers and everything, but this is really something that shouldn't be plugged into a computer, wonder why anyone would design this? To make money I suppose, but still. Just a really bad idea. Plugging something cheap and nasty into an expensive computer. They go to all the trouble of anti-static precautions into computers, and someone makes this. Reminds me of plugging an 800 quid Ipad (or however much they cost) into a 2-quid Chinese power supply. A pink one.

How was that thing working plugged into what was effectively an isolated supply?

This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. What's next, a USB-powered clothes dryer?

lol you can make diy usb killer from this ironiser xD

Dat AHHHH @2:05 lol The general rule for computers is "If it is not made for the computer then you should never plug it into the computer.." Just because it works off of a usb socked does not mean it is intended for use on a computers USB despite what the packaging images show or print says. ALso if it is making high voltages (Ionizers, plasma balls), uses alot of current (portable amplifiers, power strips) or excessive unintentional RF, then the NO PC rules should also apply with exception of SDR dongles and other ham radio related things. I have a feeling these ionizers are made initially for vehicle use with cigar lighter usb adapters or on some car stereos that have a usb port on them.

+bigclivedotcom What do you think would happen if you tried to run this from a battery instead of a USB port?

What if you don't have you laptop plugged in? Sounds dangerous.

your assuming it is only used on a laptop.. Mine is plugged into the front USB port of my desktop PC , which sits on my desk

not sure if you had opened it before but you got it, as there was lot of assumptions on this one (no tests to see what was going to ground)

i was going to ask you to do a vid on this turns out u already had one thx so much !!

I'd only use it with a cheap, manky usb charger. Not my Dell laptop, ever!! Good point Clive..

Do you know how many Volts/mA come out of the transformer? I'm wondering if I could use one of these to drive some neon indicator lamps from USB power - like your 'nixie flowers'. (I'd skip the Cockroft-Walton part, obviously...it's probably a mA killer!)

Can you take a look at the new USB ozone generators? They are just $1, so I think they are fake.

have you seen the video of the usb killer made from one of these? what do you think of it ? I have a few of these hanging around from a previous project worth jsing one of the to make one ?

Earthed or isolated is the question. When an ioniser is even indirectly earthed the entire environment acts as the collector return for the ions, forming the commonly seen collected dirt on walls for example. When it's transformer isolated, only things well connected to the circuit common rail become positively charged, and pick up the ion return, then sometimes called the collector plate. A laptop is fully isolated by a transformer power supply, as is a USB power plug. On the other hand a USB power device in a car is grounded to the car chassis, as is (I think) the common rail of a desktop PC power supply. So sometimes this device has a good collector, and works well, and sometimes not. It depends on where you plug it in. But is that perforated metal case the collector when it's isolated? I'm not sure. If so, it's a bit small, and rather close to the ion output point. In any case, in that isolated configuration it's not what you might call a 'traditional' ioniser, more like an ionic air purifier, or something.

And that little static electricity you mentioned it causes there, is exactly why I'm going to buy one! I'll make a static discharge bracelet to zap my enemy's and act as a potential emp.

On desktop computers the USB ground should be wired through to the mains protective earth connection, so it should work fine on those. I'm not sure if laptop chargers are wired in a similar fashion, but if the charger is not connected, the laptop could get a significant positive static charge...

It shouldn't be used in a laptop, but a USB power supply instead.

All 'very simple' for you Mr BIG Clive ! What about for us folks who have "little clives" in our pants ?? !!!

Do you think one could add more multiplier steps to the output in order to get higher output?

This is the first ever video of yours that I don't quite understand. So. The computer provides 5 volts. It's expecting no more then 5 volts back to "ground". Are you saying that it's returning more than that? Thanks for all the videos!

Kedar modify it to be an usb killer, only one wire

Thanks for doing this teardown. I had similar reservations about plugging it into a computer. I use it in my car, and it seems to reduce the tobacco smell a little.

It gets brutally cold in Michigan in the winter and most heating systems bring down the humidity to around 10-20%. As a result, I've shocked my computer equipment over the years thousands of times. No damage whatsoever since ruining a joystick port in 1986. It's simply a fact of life here. You can't have a population of millions of people wearing ESD protection for 4 months out of the year. Or fix millions of heating systems to provide a healthy level of air moisture.

You are right, I had one of these and when I plugged my earphones in I got shocked in the ears

People turn them into USB Killers, examples on RU-vid. Good Video 👍

It is a bad idea. I fried one of my devices by placing it too close to a different ionizer . This particular model probably delivers too low of an ion density though to do anything noteworthy

These plastic casings are weak as piss, which is good if trying to to shock friends of if it needs opening but if actually trying to be used (even though it's barely effective at best) it will break in a week

I’d have thought it might encourage dust and dirt to gather near the laptop’s cooling vents and get sucked inside which wouldn’t be too good for the cooling system.

This is a beginner question. Why is there a step up transformer on the oscillating circuit when they have CW to multiply the voltage?

This small device can be turned into an usb killer for any electronic device

I have one of these. I don't plug into laptop tho I have a usb socket, had no problems but glad I've seen this now. I have bought another one link www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0798DGPYQ?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title Not the same but usb. This one as filtering and had loads of possative feedback so I thought I would give it a go. I received it today so before I saw this vedeo.

How do I get to know circuits as well as you do? You easily identify each component and have a good idea of what the role of each section is...what a skill !

maybe a good solution is use it in a direct usb charger, not in a laptop

you need to clean your laptop much more often if you plugged in this device.

He said ARSEnide, har har.

Kindly add the circuit diagram of USB car ioniser.

Clive - what difference is there with the Ozone generators? I've opened a mini USB one, and it has a fine point of metal surrounded by a metal plate with a hole in it over the pointed electrode. I thought the corona this generated causes the O3, and it certainly smells like Ozone. In your video you mention the Ionizer has a fine tip (many with the carbon fiber)... which ionises the air. But there's no corona... is that because of the negative charge, or the lack of a positive plate nearby? (Something I noticed - I've got one of these ionisers too, and it feels like it makes quite a strong mini ionic wind. I wet my finger and placed it nearby... it certainly felt draughty!)

I've had one of these el-cheapo ionizers for years now, and not once have I had any issues with any sort of shocks. I even took my oscilloscope to it and the result was that the device and my computer were isolated and completely safe. Sure it doesn't do much of anything and is really more of a waste of money, but for a cheap novelty item, it's a unique one.

Interesting analysis. Would love to know the principle of how the ionizer clean the air, or how this device clean the air.

Actually a fairly well built unit for a change

I had one which corroded itself to rubbish.

Plug it into a $8 Wall usb power block

Very interesting, stupid, but very interesting.

Please, add subtitles. After I use google translate. Do you have a blog or site? Or a writing review?

i ordered a 2 terabyte usb drive big mistake

Thanks for the heads-up!

You can turn this into a usb killer

Which Ioniser do you recommend

How about just using it with a cell phone charger base?

any ideas on what voltage it should output to be effective? I got the same one and i measure -50 V DC on the output seems low to me, and my carbon fibres are connected one multiplier before (soldered onto C3) (-25V) and resistor R24 is missing

what size is that white wire inside?

I have two HUGE Ionizers in my apt. They probably crank out about 100x more power EACH than those little things in the OP vid...

Could I use something like this to create a poor man's electrostatic sprayer for water-based disinfectants? I have a little battery electric cleaning sprayer that happens to have a metal tip spray-head and I'm wondering if I might be able to charge the tip and therefore the water-solution enough to be quasi-useful...

Intersting question how a notebook handles static electricity discharge. Apple's design is not grounded by default but you can use the included power supply extension which hooks to the metal knob on the power supply to ground it. Business machines usually also come with a "micky mouse"-shaped grounded PSU which grounds the case. So what happens when you run on batteries? I'd bet it would kill the USB port after reading this: h20565.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c02807128&sp4ts.oid=5071212

Question! If i extend and connect the output wire to a piece of metal around the nozzle of my sprayer will it charge the sprayed liquid? making it an electrostatic sprayer essentially?

now turn it into a usb killer lol

Is it safe ?,high voltage near PC,interference and risk of surge ?.That little evil capacitor in power supply may really damage all of stuff !,if similar is connect to mass,example in active speakers.

Considering most laptop AC adapters (at least in North America) don't have ground pins... hmm. Could be more fun than expected.

would you consider doing a video on making a usb killer from one ? there is a video claiming to of made one from it but every on the comments claims it doesn't work (I have a spare one if you need it for the project )

Goo what an odd idea, i would buy a stand alone ioniser. Keep the case and usb plug for another project :-)

I had a car ionizer before but a long time ago, when i opened the tip it has a glowing spring coil when plugged. much like an electric lighter would do.

Where is your spudger!

So maybe plug it into the main outlet ones. instead of the laptop . yeah static and computers don't work well together. I've heard of people who aren't a good idea to be around computers because that can be statically charged zap goes the computer. it's rare but they do exist so I'm told. only ionizer I have emits the ozone stuff supposedly to grow hair Haha.. oh yeah I need the smell of rain in the morning. I keep it around as a joke but it kills a 9 volt in a hurry even when it's not on .

i'm guessin the ones that plug into vehicle cigarette lighters are just as bad. or an inverter into the socket. or even modern vehicles with usb ports. just when ya think you're doin somethin good, ya either get ripped off or unknowingly do harm. anyways, a sock with cat litter crystals is a safer bet.

What do you expect would happen if you plugged it directly into a USB battery pack?

+Bigclivedotcom I ordered one of these for nighthawkinlights project and it was missing transister Q1 be carefull when ordering

Would it be safe to plug into your car?

Are these supposed to be for your car? You never know when you need a USB ionizer. The products they come up with to make the world a better place filled with more plastic.

another hammer project

Plugged into a desktop PC, or a DC based car USB power plug, this device is grounded on its positive common side like a traditional ioniser, and then it should work traditionally. As in the video, plugged into a laptop it is isolated by the transformer in the laptop power supply. In this case the ions emitted weakly connect the emitter brush to ground, and the common side goes positive, taking the whole laptop with it, which then becomes a kind of collector plate. Then when you touch the laptop, or ground it with a strap, or it might be already grounded by its feet on a desk, you ground the collector, and the ioniser starts to work traditionally. Finally, to compare like with like, you can reproduce the isolated operation in a traditional ioniser by plugging it into an isolating 1:1 transformer, such as a bathroom shaver socket, to see what happens.

That is a spooky device to be plugging into anything with any sort of FETs, let alone a computer.

I used to have an ioniser several decades ago. It apparently did clean the air, but it deposited the airborne contaminants on the walls, etc. of the room. Try it for a month with a picture on the wall, or tape up a piece of paper. Then remove the picture/paper and compare the exposed wall to the part that was shielded. Personally, I'd only want an ioniser as part of an electrostatic or HEPA air filter to trap as many contaminants as possible on the collector plates rather than on the walls.

I think that would be better plugged into a USB charger.

What about plugging it into a standard double 3-pin wall socket with USB ports?

I couldn't imagine that tiny thing really making any difference outside of sitting in a small closet while using it. I have one ionizer in my bedroom and another in the living room that just do the job for what I paid but they were designed for rv's or full size vans but happend to come with an ac adapter too. Just like an air filter for rooms in the home, it's only as effective as the size of space it's designed for

I agree. This device is a very stupid idea unless your trying to sell new computers. If this be the case, then I can clearly see the dollars and cents.

Oke, the last thing I want, is a V-multiplyer in my USBport

if the laptop has a net positive charge, and the dust has a negative charge, wouldn't this make all the dust collect on the laptop?

I immediately thought bad idea for a laptop or pc for power. Best to use a power supply or better yet save your money.

I have one of those USB ionizers but I don't have a tiny neon tube you mentioned. I would be interested in seeing that tube glow be from the USB or other ionizer sources.

Hey great videos! You fulfill vicariously my desire to open up devices and poke around. I picked one of these up on impulse. Will this device function properly plugged into a cellphone wall charger? Is there enough output with one of these to make any appreciable difference? Thanks again!

There are loads of videos on youtube in wich these are transformed in usb killers. The original ones are 55£ so this is a cheaper version

If i use it with a phone charger would it be ok "safe"

How much power it draws?

Any numbers on voltage generated by the unit?

i cant belive in to my eyes how far people goes for Money

im looking to make a electrostatic fogger can you help with that

Those are cheap on eBay and the USB tip easily breaks.