Air Purifier Reviews | Reviews Air Purifiers

Re: User results - Sanyo Virus Washer, Plasmacluster Mold, Sharp IG-A10EK-W

A Reader writes:

Appreciate your website, I have read it extensively. I hope you do not mind me sending you an E-mail about a few related items.

1) Someone wrote to you asking about the Sanyo Virus Washer. (ABC-VW24.) Like the person asking that question, I am in the UK.

I have the revised version, ABC-VW24A. (A few minor changes, most noticeably the dust sensor is dropped; it still has an odour sensor.) The spec. sheet lists the maximum air flow per minute as 5.1 cubic metres (converts to 180 cfm.) Assuming 80% efficiency, CADRs might be around 145. The filtered air is sent out through vents on each side, as well as the top. My unit is placed in a bedroom.

The filter (three stages--"allergy-blocking disinfectant filter" (99% of bacteria, viruses, mould and "house dust" (whatever "99%" of "house dust" means) captured), "True-HEPA" filter, "nanotech carbon deodorizing filter" is a combined unit so it must be entirely replaced. (But it can be vaccumed.) The separate coarse pre-filter can be vaccumed and/or washed.

The Virus Washer mist is very effective--in my experience it seems to be in the same territory as the Plasmacluster system.

The electrolyzed water tank container is very small. It is only a few hundred milllitres, not even the size of a can of soda. So it is not really a humidifer; the mist is generated by electrolyzing the water, unlike the Sharps which humidify the air to aid the ion generation, and have large (multi-litre) tanks.

2) I had a Sharp Plasmacluster (KCC100EW) but was away for a few months. I left it running, and asked someone to maintain the machine and explained what to do. Well, of course they did not think all that much bother was at all necessary, so they only refilled the water tank. When I returned there was a serious mould issue from the humidifying section. The smell was severe. (The person who was supposed to maintain the machine said they could not smell anything. I was incredulous and told them: "WHAT?! The air is supposed to be PURIFIED! PUR-IF-IEDDDD!")

I replaced ALL filters (including the humidifying filter) and thoroughly cleaned out as much of the machine internals (with bleach!) as I could access through dismantling. The mould smell just would not go, and I threw the machine out. A real shame, because I really liked that machine.

3) I have just purchased a Sharp IG-A10EK-W stand-alone Plasmacluster. (i.e. no HEPA air filtration/carbon adsorption, just a more coarse filter before the fan.) Beneath the front Plasmacluster logo is written "Plasmacluster HD" (High Density) and the ion density is 25,000 per cubic cm compared to the usual 7,000 per cubic cm. (Measured 1 metre above the unit when it is placed against a wall.)

There are two separate outlets side by side, positive ions from one, negative from the other. The airflow may be directed the same way for both (Sharp recommends this for removing odours from clothes) or in opposing directions (allow them to disperse before forming hydroxyl radicals.)

The Plasmacluster ion generating unit must be replaced after just over 2 years of continuous use.

My idea is that the unit can be moved around including to places where I do not want a more powerful fan sucking in a pile of junk and clogging up the filter with garbage. For instance it can be taken into a (reasonably dry) bathroom and aimed at a shower curtain, which is difficult with a larger unit, without placing the unit on the floor and sucking up who knows what.If you are interested I can let you know how I get on with the unit.

4) Have you seen the current Plasmacluster line? (KC-840/850/860E (EKW suffix in the UK.)) The filters are the same as the previous versions and they appear to be international models though they are not listed on the Sharp US website.

The top of the line KC-860EKW has an 11-step dust monitor, which might be interesting. The UK pricing has risen substantially compared to the previous models; the KC-860EKW is £549 ($858 at current rates!)

Nevertheless I plan to buy one soon.(For this much money it may appear I should consider IQAir instead, but unfortunately these are VERY expensive in the UK!)

Of course I would like to know if maintenance of the humidifying section, per the instruction manual, keeps the mould at bay or I may just not run the humidifier at all.

5) I am researching the effectiveness/safety/operation of both the Virus Washers and the Plasmaclusters. There is a very interesting US patent application (found using Google Patents; Takahashi et al., "Air Filtering Apparatus") for the professional Sanyo Virus Washer machine.

I think this machine works differently (electrode vs. ultrasonic electrolyzation) to the consumer ABC-VW24/ABC-VW24A. My (layperson/not a Chemist etc.) understanding is that the patent describes says what is generated changes depends on which electrode is the cathode/anode. When the outlet is not open to let out mist, ozone is used to sterlize the water. This is not done when it is opened. It is claimed that only a small, safe, amount of ozone is emitted. Anyway, there is quite a detailed explanation of the electrolyzation process in the patent.

I have more stuff to write and some other questions to ask but I think that's more than enough for an unsolicited mail. Thanks for reading this, and I would be grateful for any information or ideas you have.

A Reader.

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

WOW! Your info is exactly why I invite reader contributions. Many people are intimidated by the technical details, and allow the industry to buffalo them into accepting inferior products and rip-off replacement filters. The object here is to create a user feedback community, input like yours is not "unsolicited."

The stand alone Plasmaclusters are very popular in Asia, especially in Japan, but not here in the US. I know little about them.

I have seen ads for the new "800" series filtered Sharps at vendor sites, noted the very high prices for what seem to be minor cosmetic upgrades, and see the Sharp company site still features the KCC series.

Yes, please report any info you discover on any air cleaning product. The new Sharps are especially obscure, if you buy one, I'd love to hear your further impressions.

It seems like the Sharp user manual indirectly hints at the danger of mold in under-maintained humidifier/purifiers. I rarely run the wet mode on my 150U.

There have been minor differences in UK/Euro Sharp models and marketing, just enough to create buyer confusion.

Don't know why they do this, best is modular product line like IQAir, Austin Air, and many Honeywells.

Best wishes,

Ed

Home: Air Purifier Reviews