ozone generators

[lumina]

Anyone have an opinion on these products.

I've heard the ozone affects plastics, rubber, etc etc then other folks tell me that’s just an old wives tale!!

Need to get rid of a mild/moderate case of "that hatteras smell".

 

[Brian Degulis]

It's not an old wifes tale it's just good old BS that gets spread around by internet experts trying to sound smart. In order for ozone to affect anything the concentration has to be really extreme and kept that way for very long periods of time and that's not even possible with a typical ozone generator. Comercial airlines and hospitals use them.

They're great for removing bacteria and foul smells. Some are not very well made and require constant atention and spare parts. Check these people out http://www.internationalozone.com/ They can set you up with something good.


Brian

 

[Canuck Dennis]

For what it's worth..I worked with them in installations in public swimming pools, was scary the health concerns as to exposure..personally,I would not have one in my house or boat they are fantastic for purifying water etc.....think what it can do to your brain.

 

[DCMY #92]

I have had a couple of ozone generators. As the previous post says, they require attention and frequent cleaning/replacing of the generating grids (especially in damp environments), but they work great in removing odors.

I have used them to eliminate the odor of serious smoking in a car, cooking odor from frying food at home and the odor of sour bilges. For the ozone to do harm the concentration must be very high for a long period. I'll worry about allot of other things harming me before I worry about ozone.

 

[wmassey9]

Hi: going to pass on my personal experiences. First of the "Hatteras Smell" is not limited to the Hatteras brand. After fighting the "smell" for years, I have come to some conclusions. First, before getting the smell out, get rid of the source. On my previous rides, the bilge areas are where the source comes from. A good clean bilge is essential, and the holding sump areas for shower or tub have always been a key source for this smell. I run a diluted solution of a bleach product, large volumns, followed by large amts of fresh water is an essential start. This process is repeated occasionally as needed. Next, all petrochemical product needs to be removed. A tall order I know, but as long as these elements are around, don't expect complete resolution. Now, this odor will still be in the above bilge level. I have personally used an Ozone generater for years. Haven't much lately because the "smell" is controlled by the above technique. I would (will) place the generator in an enclosed area with doors closed, turn in on maximum production. and leave it for 24 hours. Then switch to another area. I DO NOT stay in the room with the generator running. This should get the smell out of wood, window treatments, carpets or anything else. May not cure, but should greatly improve the smell. Repeated treatment prn will eventually control, or semi control the problem depending on how bad it was to start with.

Just my opinion

 

[Brian Degulis]

I have had a couple of ozone generators. As the previous post says, they require attention and frequent cleaning/replacing of the generating grids (especially in damp environments), but they work great in removing odors.

I have used them to eliminate the odor of serious smoking in a car, cooking odor from frying food at home and the odor of sour bilges. For the ozone to do harm the concentration must be very high for a long period. I'll worry about allot of other things harming me before I worry about ozone.

I had that problem with the plates and ceramics also. The link I posted uses a diffrent system to produce the ozone. There are no plates ceramics or wear parts pretty much no maintenance. I would not use ozone while people are in the space some do but I wouldn't. Depending on the size of the space and power of the unit you set the timer in my case a hour or so. Then close it up and run it. After the unit turns off within an hour or so the ozone converts into oxygen.


Brian

 

[Capt. Tobb]

I am not trying to hijack the thread but when I bought my boat the carpet and soft goods had a lot of fading. Areas that were covered are not faded. I have heard that the battery charging process can do this. Any ideas?

 

[REBrueckner]

gases from overcharging batteries can "bleach" fabrics.....but likely that's a charger not working properly of a defunct battery...

There is at least one thread here, THAT HATTERAS SMELL, which has extensive discussions on causes and cures....

 

[bobk]

It's not an old wifes tale it's just good old BS that gets spread around by internet experts trying to sound smart. In order for ozone to affect anything the concentration has to be really extreme and kept that way for very long periods of time and that's not even possible with a typical ozone generator. Comercial airlines and hospitals use them.

Brian

Sorry Brian, but I'll respectfully disagree. Small amounts of ozone or other oxidizers like chlorine can do a lot of damage. Two common examples we are all familiar with: The cracking of rubber bands when they are stretched. Tension increases the reaction rate. They crack because ozone oxidizes the double bonds in the rubber, even in a kitchen drawer. People call it 'dry rot' but chemically the reaction is oxidation caused by traces of ozone in the atmosphere. The other example is the effect of ozone as a polutant on the lungs. Old folks in particular have respiratory issues on days when atmospheric ozone is elevated. Even traces (<0.1 ppm) of chlorine in drinking water has caused major damage to plastic plumbing at room temperature.

The question then is what does this do in an engine room. Practically, these days most engine hoses and belts are stabilized against oxidation so one doesn't see much effect on them. But I have seen raw water and black water hoses deteriorate. These are not suffering dry rot, but rather oxidation of the tension side (out side of the bends) by ozone.

All that said, I have an ozone generator in the ER, but very little can enter the living spaces. I would not want to be breathing any more ozone than necessary. I too had 'that Hatteras odor' and in my case traced it to wet and rotting plywood under the mufflers in the exhaust pipe spaces on either side of the master stateroom.

Bob Kassal
1981 48MY
currently lying Marathon FL watching the blizzard on Fox News

 

[Canuck Dennis]

http://epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

 

[67hat34c]

Ozone does deteriorate rubber but this is over a long period of time. Use of these devices in limited time periods such as 2 or 3 days is fine. Would not stay on the boat while in use and air it out completely upon return.

Much of the "old Hat "smell is due to aged materials mainly Foam in seat cushons. I would recommed replacement of the old foam materials and clean the good upolstry before re installation. Clean bilge etc. Use tide with fabreese to clean bilge.

 

[TopHattandTails]

Much of the "old Hat "smell is due to aged materials mainly Foam in seat cushons. I would recommed replacement of the old foam materials and clean the good upolstry before re installation. Clean bilge etc. Use tide with fabreese to clean bilge.

...and definitely find that old oil zorb that rolled under the genny or under the engine from a few seasons ago... those things stink.

 

[Brian Degulis]

Sorry Brian, but I'll respectfully disagree. Small amounts of ozone or other oxidizers like chlorine can do a lot of damage. Two common examples we are all familiar with: The cracking of rubber bands when they are stretched. Tension increases the reaction rate. They crack because ozone oxidizes the double bonds in the rubber, even in a kitchen drawer. People call it 'dry rot' but chemically the reaction is oxidation caused by traces of ozone in the atmosphere. The other example is the effect of ozone as a polutant on the lungs. Old folks in particular have respiratory issues on days when atmospheric ozone is elevated. Even traces (<0.1 ppm) of chlorine in drinking water has caused major damage to plastic plumbing at room temperature.

The question then is what does this do in an engine room. Practically, these days most engine hoses and belts are stabilized against oxidation so one doesn't see much effect on them. But I have seen raw water and black water hoses deteriorate. These are not suffering dry rot, but rather oxidation of the tension side (out side of the bends) by ozone.

All that said, I have an ozone generator in the ER, but very little can enter the living spaces. I would not want to be breathing any more ozone than necessary. I too had 'that Hatteras odor' and in my case traced it to wet and rotting plywood under the mufflers in the exhaust pipe spaces on either side of the master stateroom.

Bob Kassal
1981 48MY
currently lying Marathon FL watching the blizzard on Fox News

Bob maybe you should go back an re read what I posted. I agree with you. I never said ozone isn't capable of doing damage. What I said was used properly it won't damage anything. I also said I wouldn't use it in an ocupied space some do but I wouldn't. I also wouldn't use it on a continous run basis just periodicaly as needed. Of course I'm talking in a real world practical aplication. I guess in a labaratory you could measure some degree of damage from even the smallest amounts of ozone. You could do the same with chlorine but we still use bleach in our laundry and swim in pools. Ozone is like many things use it properly and the benifit far out weighs the harm.


Brian

 

[Vincentc]

Brian,
I checked the International Ozone link. Sturdy looking ozone generators, but what about the fuel mileage booster (up to 30% improvement) and the jelly fish sting reliever.

Vincent

 

[Brian Degulis]

Did they have a kitchen magician also? I haven't looked at the site in years but I did buy a unit from them around 5 years ago. That was after getting one from Mcmaster that used the ceramic plates and it required constant care. The units IO sells use a different method to produce ozone so far the one I bought has worked flawlessly and needed nothing.


Brian

 

[REBrueckner]

Yes the inexpensive ozone units use the cheap ceramic plates ....more trouble than they are worth for steady use.....

 

[REBrueckner]

Here is what the EPA has to say about ozone generators:
http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/pubs/ozonegen.html

In brief: don't count on manufacturer's claims about safe levels.

see "Conclusions"....which says ozone at safe levels doesn't help most odors, and removing sources is a better solution....

 

[Brian Degulis]

They're talking mostly about harm to people exposed to high levels of ozone Here's what they say about unocupied areas.

Can Ozone be Used in Unoccupied Spaces?

Ozone has been extensively used for water purification, but ozone chemistry in water is not the same as ozone chemistry in air. High concentrations of ozone in air, when people are not present, are sometimes used to help decontaminate an unoccupied space from certain chemical or biological contaminants or odors (e.g., fire restoration). However, little is known about the chemical by-products left behind by these processes (Dunston and Spivak, 1997). While high concentrations of ozone in air may sometimes be appropriate in these circumstances, conditions should be sufficiently controlled to insure that no person or pet becomes exposed. Ozone can adversely affect indoor plants, and damage materials such as rubber, electrical wire coatings, and fabrics and art work containing susceptible dyes and pigments (U.S. EPA, 1996a).

Brian

 

[q240z]

Personally, I would not put something on my boat that is supposed to run continuously, all the while producing a toxic substance that, in order to be effective, must be maintained at or above concentrations that are known to be harmful to me and my family. It would seem best to just cut to the chase and eliminate the source.

 

[TopHattandTails]

I looked into this a few years back for a rental property. The idea was to get a large, commercial ozone generator, and BLAST the area for a 24 hour period. It was professionally done and had specific instructions - like all people and pets out, all plants and live things - out. As I dug into the process, it scared the hell out of me, not for the poison reason to live beings - but what it destroyed during the process. Carpets, wiring, anything that was bacterial or had a carbon foot print. I opted not to go through with it. Imagine what this would do to a boat - rubber gaskets, hoses, wiring, soft goods, electronics, etc... No way would I risk that. Even if "all the stuff" still worked - what sort of fatigue would you introduce to the boat and mechanicals? I second the idea - clean it up nicely and find the source of the stink.