My high voltage pink ring has malfunctioned (schematic and hack)

During a spate of ozone investigation I bought a few different rechargeable ozone generators intended for deodorising cupboards, wardrobes and small rooms, and also keeping fridges sterile by killing surface bacteria.
One works really well, but another was defective from the start and this one started off OK despite some design weirdness, but then failed with a faint crackling noise.
In this video I reverse engineer it, find the cause of the problem affecting many of these units and hack it to run directly on USB with no battery. (The battery MUST be removed if the USB hack is applied.)
Note that the "wind" noise when I held the ozone generator up to the microphone was the ionic breeze that would normally be moving a decent amount of air through the corona discharge and out into the area being sterilised. In this product it's been encased in a badly designed product where the designer didn't really understand the operation and blocked the airflow with an unventilated recess and fine mesh.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
www.bigclive.co...
This also keeps the channel independent of KZbin's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.

[@AndrewBeals]

"My pink ring has malfunctioned." Sounds like a personal problem, Clive.

[@limp_dickens]

When my own pink ring malfunctioned it didn't smell like ozone, either.

[@davelordy]

_"It's not really supposed to be making that noise"_ : S

[@bobblebardsley]

Easily fixed, you just need to give your tip a quick rub...

[@FedoraSpunk]

I've seen some electrode based technology that should reduce some of that pain in your ring, it even has a numb setting ;)

[@Jackaoz]

Clive already had a device to get his pink ring working. He didn’t test it correctly which was disappointing.

[@SigEpBlue]

"Clean the tip, and most of the problems go away." Words each and every one of us men need to learn & live by.

[@3Dusers]

especially when dealing with pink rings

[@blackcountryme]

I was waiting for this comment tbh.

[@arcticbadger1]

😆😂😉👍 yes indeed !

[@jek__]

Yeah but thats where all the flavor is...

[@saintleibowitz8401]

the pink ring seems to have been a portable speaker in another life lol

[@Darieee]

Saint Leibowitz would be most epic if someone had a driver with a hole in the middle that went all the way through

[@saintleibowitz8401]

@@Darieee i wonder what the manufacturing cost would be for a donut shaped driver

[@Darieee]

@@saintleibowitz8401 oooowwwwyhea ... SONY and or prior Apple would've for sure given a go-ahead for something with this aesthetic/cost/practicality ratio 🔥

[@garymingy8671]

Ozone is bad...everyone smart avoids that smell ,now ..sorry I forgot why..not at all good for your lungs...10 cigars is healthyer

[@pugsterjosh7925]

@@garymingy8671 uneducated.

[@BrendanPerkins]

Well that's another fine mesh you've got yourself into.

[@davelordy]

Shame on you, reported to the joke police.

[@Slikx666]

Donut know what you are referring too....

[@benjaminkappelson384]

I must admit that gag has a familiar ring.

[@Richardincancale]

Yesh!

[@uiopuiop3472]

jonk polic

[@benkemp]

I bought 5 of the triangular shaped ones on eBay after your review, Clive. I've discovered they make GREAT work boot deodorizers. I simply turn it on and place it into the boot with the little ion slots facing the toe of the boot. After sitting overnight The boots have literally NO smell! Try it!

[@anjkovo2138]

Good tip👍😊👍

[@WeiserMaster3]

do you have a link for the triangular shaped ones?

[@bigclivedotcom]

If you have problems with stinky work boots, check out my video about it. The effects are dramatic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYGvqJawp6ycoa8

[@strehlow]

I found an 8" plasma ball at a Goodwill thrift store last week for $4.99. It runs on 12V but didn't have the PSU. I wired one up to it. It is strong. When I put my hands near the globe, I can feel a tingle, and smell ozone. So now I lay my cloth mask on it every time I come home, as I don't remember to wash it every day. It is much fresher after even a half hour on the ball.

[@alkissack85]

where'd you get them

[@sysghost]

What I've learned from this: There are no dignified ways of penetrating a pink ring. Just jam the tool in and hope the destruction is kept at a minimum.

[@me3333]

I also learned that if you are careless when penetrating you can hurt yourself. I suspect that it may also be possible to slip or miss and hurt someone else with your tool. I imagine that it's relatively safe if you use caution, it probably also helps to get it wet first as well.

[@jarchdm]

@@me3333 cleaning the tip helps.

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

When MY pink ring stars making crackling/popping noises, I run to the bathroom.

[@allbymylearnsome8630]

"The pink ring is destroyed, basically" - well at least you had fun.

[@sofa-lofa4241]

The sign of a good Saturday night out 🤣

[@atomictraveller]

took that thing apart casual like

[@spindleclown]

I'm not nearly smart enough to understand any of the mechanical stuff Clive discusses, but it's always entrancing to listen to.

[@RIXRADvidz]

if you're listening you're learning, and that's a good thing.

[@jjhack3r]

You don't have to be smart. You just have to pay attention.

[@bdf2718]

If you don't understand what he does but try to copy it anyway, you may find yourself exiting, not entrancing.

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

Glad I'm not the only one and the responses definitely made me feel better.

[@Platypi007]

I am sure you are smart enough to understand it, you just don't have the knowledge and experience to understand it.

[@robin8404]

The phrases "High voltage supply" and "put my screwdriver near it" generally don't mix in my experience

[@davelordy]

Quick everyone, Clive's gonna' open his pink ring, get the popcorn.

[@archgirl]

You get the popcorn, I’ll get the cocporn.

[@jaguarfacedman1365]

It looks like a cervix to me...

[@thecatofnineswords]

I was really hoping it would set itself on fire, for that luxurious statement, "ooooh, that's not good."

[@MixZTitaniumDubstep]

Pass the popcorn!

[@danyf3116]

To carry the conversation from another project of your, there is no doubt in my mind, you are in fact, THE Bob Ross of electronic circuits. So soothing to watch at 4 in the am. ;)

[@edgarmatzinger9742]

1:39 _"tell you what tell you what i'm just going to pause and get the correct tool for the job"_ Oh wow, he's going to get the vice of knowledge. Bugger, he returns with a screw driver...

[@krashd]

Not just any old screw driver but the Flathead of Plastic Case Opening...

[@Bin216]

Edgar Matzinger I was hoping for the X-ray...

[@DrGreenGiant]

Absolutely thought the vice of knowledge or the x-ray machine was going to make a long missed appearance!

[@aterack833]

Edgar Matzinger reverse hank hill?

[@Lizlodude]

I was rooting for the hammer of understanding

[@secdup2510]

Whether Mig welding, Airbrush painting, Creating Ozone or "inspecting" a sheep on the edge of a cliff. Never forget to clean the tip after use.

[@tgk3624]

I havent got a clue about electronics but it fascinates me how stuff works.I Love this channel.

[@fazergazer]

OMG Clive! Take a care not to strain too much, lest you damage your pink ring ;)

[@Sheepsville]

Clive Mitchell, you are the only person I know that manages to make electronics smutty! 😳🙊

[@benbaselet2026]

Perhaps you need to approach the electrosex circles a bit more?

[@Sheepsville]

@@benbaselet2026 I'll stick with Clives innuendos thanks! 😁

[@Butchey24]

@@benbaselet2026 did you make this comment June 27th

[@darkmann12]

What about AvE lol

[@Sheepsville]

@@Butchey24 No he didn't...we are Patreon members, so we get to see Clives videos before the general public.

[@crusaderanimation6967]

Thanks to this video, or actually comments bellow i learn that "pink ring" have some another meaning than i (non native speaker)know. Thanks YT :D

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

Never thought I'd click on a video where a bloke who looks like a biker talks about his malfunctioning pink ring.🤣

[@sofa-lofa4241]

I'm guessing you're not a regular round these parts? Check out the livestreams... So funny 🤣

[@who919me]

Everything's is pink with Clive he is a big bear if you get my point, looks can be deceiving but I don't care what he does in his personal life but when it comes to electronic tear downs, Clive is the best guy on You Tube

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

@@sofa-lofa4241 he got me started doing my own tear downs. Now I'm a hoarder. Ooops 🤣

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

@@who919me my joke was just insinuating I personally wouldn't watch gay porn. I couldn't give a rat's toss bag what anyone else does. Not my business, doesn't affect me in the slightest. And yeah, he's pretty funny and a lot smarter than me.

[@sofa-lofa4241]

@@hayreddinbarbarossa661 I think Clive is responsible for half of the entire Pound land stock ending up in pieces... The other half are due to natural causes It's not hoarding... It's collecting special things for nefarious purposes 😉... And I'm not guilty of it... Honest!

[@Dime_Bar]

Had the volume on full as i pressed play to hear my pink rink has malfunctioned just as the wife walks in for her to ask what the bloody hell are you watching.

[@sofa-lofa4241]

Best delete your browser history... I guarantee that will get checked later!

[@aterack833]

Sofa-Lofa too suspicious, only delete specific items

[@robertcartier5088]

@@aterack833 Or better yet, always use Incognito mode on your browser. It doesn't register the activity in the first place, so no need to delete anything later. Helps you not to stress about it, too. ...um, anyway, that's what I heard. ;-]

[@just_noXi]

The unit I bought actually has a removable top and the manual says that you should clean the spike if it stops working.

[@soupflood]

Talk about designing with planned obsolescence in the pink ring.

[@andymouse]

@@soupflood Telling you how to maintain it doesn't suggest this. All point emitters will degrade with time, no matter how pricey the unit. The only criticism of the device is the case, which you can change, all in all a good buy, especially when you consider that the High Voltage module itself cost upwards of £30.

[@soupflood]

@@andymouse the glued cover of this particular pink device surely doesn't make maintenance easy, but i agree, if one has the skills, one can salvage the ozone module or clean the emitter and change the cover

[@henningerhenningstone691]

The things I learned from this video: - Clive uses pink rings (not surprised by that one) - Corona discharge discharges corona - Always clean the tip and make sure it's not contaminated - Chinese home computers produce radiation - Public sound stations are a thing, for whatever that is

[@Matt-re8bt]

For a man who has spent so much time at live musicals and bands, I'm sincerely impressed you can hear that high-pitched whine. You must really look after your hearing, Clive!

[@AmorDeae]

8:22 "It's kinda working now, I guess, now that I've scrubbed the tip a little bit"

[@threeMetreJim]

Problems of the middle aged male, eh?

[@thekingoffailure9967]

@@threeMetreJim I'd love to have your problem threemeterjim

[@threeMetreJim]

@@thekingoffailure9967 Almost guaranteed, so don't worry. No-one is getting any younger.

[@midnight_perdita]

I like that you order everything in pink😃

[@atomictraveller]

i can't wait until my ring breaks so i can take it apart in front of everyone

[@dentistguba]

"Corona Discharge" well, found my metal band name.

[@strehlow]

Isn't that from when you drink them too fast and some comes back up?

[@atomictraveller]

scotts got a g/f

[@sebulva]

Thank you clive. For taking the picture. And then explaining the schematic and describing what each component is for.. I am learning out of it. Regards from Mexico. . stay safe.

[@Tom_Losh]

When you featured and disassembled the little white O3 generators, I took a leap and bought a pair of 'em. Nice little units that do exactly what they should. THANKS!

[@bennynielsen1412]

2 things sprang into mind watching this. You have several times commented that you must remember to zoom out after having inspected boards and schematics. Unless you are still using a smartphone most cameras have an app where you can mirror the image on the camera in real time, so you can place your phone on the workbench just outside the range of the camera and always see the zoom level. And regarding the airflow in the pink donut, the material leaves ample space for drilling extra holes around the ozone unit for added flow. Simple solution for a lot of units with too little airflow. Nice video - as usual. Thumbs up. A fan in Denmark.

[@channelsixtysix066]

You have a nice looking pink ring there, Clive. Ooh no, I can't bear to look, he's prising at his ring with a screwdriver. This isn't going to end well. 😬 That was a feel-good update, nice to know your ring is operating just fine now you've modified it.

[@zh84]

Someone did actually build a model aircraft propelled by corona discharge pushing air across the wings, but it was both tricky to handle due to the high voltages and extremely feeble.

[@BRUXXUS]

I've seen loads of those ionic levitators, but not a plane. That's kind of interesting.

[@fanplant]

It was able to lift it's power source? That's impressive, right?

[@sofa-lofa4241]

I remember seeing something about corona discharge being used as a stealth shroud for aircraft

Always remember to clean the tip after destroying the pink ring. Top tier tip once again.

[@phils4634]

When I saw the device, my first thought was a miniature electrostatic speaker! The HV side was often a problem with Quad speakers (along with comments from the un-initiated, "what are those convection heaters doing wired up to your HiFi" being the commonest! :-D )

[@sofa-lofa4241]

Or 'they forgot to put the cones in'

[@andy70d35]

Strange design, don't think I have laughed so much in ages after the many innuendoes and hilarious comments, I DID have a mouthful of tea when you said I shouldn't be fingering this now the tea is all over the keyboard and monitor. Great channel, love it, keep up the great videos, BigClive

[@hempev]

"Chewing up my big pink ring" is its own punchline.

[@Uncle-Duncan-Shack]

Finally, a video about a pink stinker, which is socially compliant.

[@JohnKiniston]

Thank you for inspiring me! I bought a camera on ebay so I could take it to bits because I wondered if I could attach the sensor to a different device.

[@velyse]

A standard ozone generator is so so so so much larger than this. I can't imagine this thing producing enough ozone to even do it's job let alone be harmful to your health.

[@cojones8518]

It's always a good idea to clean the tip after you use your pink ring a while.

[@tomp4944]

In the UK, I think people are advised to shoot for about 5 degrees C in the fridge. In the US, we're told to shoot for about 4.44 C OR BELOW, and 2.8 C is not uncommon as a target. Things routinely freeze at the back or the fridge, as many designs pump sub-freezing air from the freezer into the fridge area, and where it has not yet dispersed, it's sub-zero C. Salty foods like pickles do fine back there, but I don't know if a lithium battery would be safe.

[@bizmar]

Another video from my favorite ozone enthusiast.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice breakdown and very nice Circuit 👌 looks very well made Clive @BigCliveDotCom

[@robinwells8879]

Vintage Big Clive. An entire episode brought to you by the power of double entendres. Best comment section ever. Laughed my pink ring off.

[@scorinth]

Ah, yes, that was one of my favorite images from Sharper Product!

[@tonybastin5095]

looks like a very dodgy pink doughnut

[@benjaminkappelson384]

They often do.

[@realnutteruk1]

Did you hear the joke about the Irishman who thought that innuendo was an Italian suppository?

[@andygozzo72]

'inyourendo' 😜

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

@@andygozzo72 that's what the Irishman said🤣👍

[@markfergerson2145]

No, why don't you go ahead and tell the joke?

[@kimvibk9242]

I love dad-jokes...🤣

[@thany3]

We all have a malfunctioning pink ring from time to time. It comes with age, and it goes away by itself. It's not that bad.

[@TECHnoman753]

@SALTY ARMY LONDON REGIMENT ESPECIALLY if ur female XD

[@PeterBee911]

*My high voltage pink ring can't be this cute*

[@MixZTitaniumDubstep]

But I wouldn't recommend a LiPo as a sex toy.

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

I had to laugh as you were prying on the mesh donut and said, "this isn't going to end well". I've thought that many times when disassembling things that don't lend themselves to easy disassembly.

[@KallePihlajasaari]

A very old analogue photocopier I de-constructed had an interesting feature in the corona discharge wires. They were gold plated to avoid corrosion and maintain the conductivity. So gold plating the pointed tip might prevent future corrosion by the ozone.

[@Stoneman06660]

"Let me just doddle something out for you regarding my high voltage pink ring." Oh Clive, behave!

[@sohatyi]

This is relevant to my interests

[@RIXRADvidz]

Top Quality As Always, informative and interesting.

[@someguy2741]

Your pink ring will never be the same again.

[@mattikaki]

First I thought that you have a tiny Electrostatic Speaker. I still remember how good and airy sound was in Quad tube amplifier and Electro Static speakers.

[@Psyrecx]

"My pink ring has malfunctioned" Ahhh... Taco Bell.

[@crimsonhalo13]

When your big pink ring is getting corona discharge, that's your cue that it's time to quarantine.

[@GRBtutorials]

My first guess before the tear down, just with the sound is that the insulation broke and it arced over.

[@bigclivedotcom]

That was my thought too.

[@Brian_Of_Melbourne]

Just as you got to the bit (around 16 mins) where you lamented the low voltage going to the ozone generator I thought "it needs to swap the charger chip for one out of a battery bank". These seem cheap as chips, and give out the 5 Volts that the generator craves. Then you go and make that 'product' with a two part solution.

[@greeftish]

Sounds like an interesting project you have here Clive. Design and 3D print a case for the modded unit that will house the 18650 battery pack and allow better air flow over the ozone generator. Look forward to a future vid if you decide to do it.

[@garymingy8671]

My life unfolds before my eyes as a metaphor I don't get .

[@benjaminkappelson384]

I always suspected that BC is more satisfied by a ring than a triangle.

[@cs_fl5048]

I am old enough to remember when home electric clothes dryers had "ozone lights" in them. I don't know when they went out of fashion.

[@bigclivedotcom]

You can buy them on eBay as GTL3 lamps. They need a transformer and ballast resistor as they operate at just 10V when "struck".

[@ardentdrops]

Ozone is not good for your health

[@bigclivedotcom]

@@ardentdrops Neither is coffee in large quantities. But ozone occurs in nature at low level and may be important for maintaining the quality of air.

[@Voyajer.]

@@ardentdrops That's why you wait a couple minutes for it to dissipate rather than stick your head in and huff it.

[@HuxTheSergal]

Nooo not the high voltage pink ring! Damn you 2020!

[@TECHnoman753]

I'm concerned but not surprised to see so many furrys here XD

[@TytoMobile]

Get some o-ring picks. They're so useful for so many things

[@robertcartier5088]

About airflow... The high voltage arc that is created between the tip of the spike and the hole in the metal plate heats the air sufficiently so that when this hot air rises, it generates airflow within the small recess where the emitter is mounted. Air coming in from the sides goes up through the hole. That's the only thing that makes any sense to me on the question of airflow in this unit.

[@iStormUK]

Never thought I'd see the day when Clive showed us his pink ring.

[@pyromaniac303]

@11.50 they usually disable it during charging because the charger IC cuts off when the current reaches about 10% of its initial value. If the unit is taking more than 10% of the battery charger set point it will get stuck charging forever. Had this problem on a couple of my products!

[@rich1668]

There is a correct tool for removing the mesh, it's just a wire with a hook on the end, they ship them with ceiling speakers for removing the grill before installing

[@hotlavatube]

I told you that high-voltage TENS electrode would cause your pink ring to malfunction, but did you listen?

[@ColinRichardson]

I'm sorry, I got 5 words in... I have to stop.. You have already entertained me enough for a Thumbs Up

[@krashd]

Keep your thumb away from it you vulgar being!

[@ColinRichardson]

@@krashd You are right, we don't want to make any type of popping noises

[@BrokebackBob]

The famous DYI NuvaRing™ from Clive!

[@ianrtait5721]

The poor wee moose! Great explanation.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good teardown video

[@bigupbassline58]

RIP high voltage pink ring

[@DaraM73]

Are you “violating” your Kenny Everett joke book again? All in the best possible taste, I’m sure. 😳

[@johnnz4375]

“The pink ring is destroyed “ that is what she said.......😂😂😂

[@psammiad]

I really never expected to see your pink ring.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Indeed, hygiene in your pink ring is important. Keep your spikes clean with a drop of Isopropyl Alcohol 99%.

[@iconoclad]

The innuendo is strong with these posts.

[@Godzilla941]

You probably could hack in one of those cheap 5V PFM always-on step-up converters (for Li-Ion to USB) in between the control board and the ozone module in this situation.

[@Bin216]

You should drill some holes in the side of the ring to improve the airflow through the unit.

[@sofa-lofa4241]

Yeah, on camera... While it's still switched on ⚡

[@eDoc2020]

This is what I was going to suggest, too.

[@michaelthibault7930]

The verb is "dremel". I, too, was going to suggest dremeling holes through the interior walls of the toroid's centre, then a few more holes in the plastic base for the pin. The airflow would have then been center-to-periphery, bottom-to-top. Bridging the exit plate of the generator to the large plate just below the exterior mesh would ensure a 'draw' of air past the point of ionization. You can get some very fine, pretty, tapered holes with a rotary tool, a sewing needle, and the appropriate collet. It's a bit like friction stir welding; the plastic itself does some of the work, eventually, as it becomes semi-molten, in sizing and finishing the hole.

[@jjphotography295]

Clive I love your channel. I have a woodworking lathe that I can vary the speed on by moving a belt between pulleys. I want to try to simplify this by putting it on the fastest combination of pulleys and then use some sort of speed regulator to vary the speed. I bought an "AC motor speed controller" on Ebay for the princely sum of about £7 but to my astonishment, it doesn't work! When I told the vendor he refunded my money on the condition that I didn't tell anyone... (Happy to send it to you if you want.) The lathe has a single phase induction motor (both Greek to me). Is it possible to do what I want to do? The motor was made in 1993 so not state of the art.

[@bigclivedotcom]

A standard induction motor will lose torque rapidly with any attempt at speed control. The belts are the best option, followed by a variable frequency drive and matching motor.

[@jjphotography295]

@@bigclivedotcom Thank you so much for this. There's little point in sending you the "AC motor speed control" they sent me?

[@Axymerion]

A literal pink ring of death.

[@Sqwaush]

I just realized what the smell of ozone was... stinky electric motors

[@danielm2142]

Don't worry Clive, I'm sure most bears have problems with their big pink rings, I've heard it's due to other bears poking their screwdrivers in 'em.

[@ats89117]

It's important to keep your tip clean!

[@tncorgi92]

And don't stab your pink ring with a screwdriver.

[@mazdaman1286]

Picks up knife and says I'm going to pause.....gets first aid kit ready and places just off camera...

[@SteveMallison]

I was going to make a funny comment until I read the others!! Never mind , Clive, I 'm more into the tech stuff myself. like your videos.

[@The411]

I always advocate cleaning the tip before inserting it in your Big Pink Ring.

[@andynazel1046]

A dirty tip in your pink ring.....ooooh matron!

[@shadowcat314]

When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

[@bigclivedotcom]

Those relate to high levels. In reality, it occurs in nature at low levels and may be essential to maintaining the quality of the air outdoors.

[@1973retrorabbit]

Clive you got name dropped on an Amazon review about an air purifier, guy said he went searching for one after seeing one of your videos about them... here's the kicker... it was a negative review, he complained that when he turned it on he could smell ozone. That sealed the deal for me and I ordered it because I knew that he was obviously a muppet and that the product was actually what I wanted and not just a box with an LED on it.

[@glog787]

wow such a well made and educational video. Thank you.

[@jong2359]

You could tap into the 12v appliance bulb fixture using a simple buck converter to get ~5v constant DC supply to the unit. Super janky, but far more reliable than a battery in the fridge.

[@888johnmac]

right , so if your pink ring stops working all you need to do is clean the tip ( but just the tip ) .. as always excellent advice Clive

[@philosoaper]

at least there's no sexual innuendo about pink rings in this episode

[@FedoraSpunk]

Love you Clive 💝

[@GibbyGibsoniCarly]

Love all the pink ring related jokes

[@Zadster]

Before watching this video, I'm standing by with savlon, hot water and towels.