1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Plasmacluster

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mr.whit, Aug 16, 2009.

  1. mr.whit

    mr.whit Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2006
    117
    12
    11
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Does anyone have information on the Plasmacluster? What do I do with it, does it need to cleaned? any information would be good.:confused:
     
  2. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2004
    2,436
    517
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    1 person likes this.
  3. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,246
    143
    0
    Location:
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You can also RTFM. Page 278. See the attached pic.
     

    Attached Files:

    1 person likes this.
  4. ctmurray

    ctmurray Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    121
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks for the post.

    Why RTFM when everyone on the forum is so nice?:)
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You do nothing. It's practically maintenance-free. Just wipe the driver's side vent from time to time.

    Plasmacluster is made by Sharp electronics if you wish to search it up.
     
  6. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I did RTFM (had a hard time finding the info because plasmacluster isn't in the TOC or index) just to find out what it is and how it works and it was not very enlightening. I also read the "concerns" thread, which I found a little confusing because of all the discussion about ozone and whether it can kill you. Seems it is pretty risky of Toyota to install something so controversial. I will take a look at the Sharp website.

    Why does one need to wipe the driver's side vents with a soft cloth (other than normal cleaning for any vent)? Does the plasmacluster cause some type of residue?
     
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five

    Since static electricity is discharged through the drivers side vent because of the system, dirt and the like tend to stick to it more.

    I've had a plasmacluster air cleaner in my home for some time now and the family is still around and kicking... The Camry has also had this for a few years now and I don't think there have been any plasmacluster deaths to date lol.
     
  8. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks for your explanation. However, this brings up another concern. If static electricity is discharged, wouldn't that make it a hazard at gas stations?? :eek:
     
  9. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five

    Technically your supposed to turn the car off at gas stations so it wouldn't be in operation. Again, that's technically, so I see your point.
     
  10. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2009
    679
    80
    0
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I think as Paradox stated to turn your car off at the Pump should be sufficient. Still doesn't stop the Cell Phone users though from talking, filling up and having the car running all at the same time.
    So, usual precautions that have been in place for years and you should be fine.

    Still don't get it, when people smoke when Fueling?? I guess that's called living on the edge and I don't want to participate in their experiment! :eek:
     
  11. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hmm..yes... except that turning your car off is generally understood as turning the engine off. The A/C on the Prius can still run without the engine/hybrid system being on.

    I always power off the car at gas stations anyway, but I know that a number of people on these boards would argue that it's not necessary.
     
  12. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yeah... what difference is a little static electricity from plasmacluster going to make? I think I'll leave my car and A/C running, start the gas pump, light a cigarette, and make a cell phone call. (Have you seen anybody smoking while fueling for real? I don't think I have.)
     
  13. bps

    bps Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2006
    304
    119
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yep. Several times. Scares the crap out of me...

    Bryan
     
  14. blippo

    blippo New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    255
    12
    0
    Location:
    VA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yes, I have
     
  15. Jim Calvert

    Jim Calvert New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2009
    255
    28
    8
    Location:
    Worthington, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    ...and so have I. Those who do that, leave their car idling while pumping the gas, start pumping the gas and then SCOOT back into the vehicle while the gas is being pumped, and then SCOOT back out of the car when the pumping ends - all the while talking on their cell phones - are, to put it mildly - :loco:

    Static electricity can be created in many ways, all of which are deadly when in the vicinity of volatile gasoline fumes.
     
  16. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,246
    143
    0
    Location:
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I've seen this behavior too, and it scares the bejeebers out of me.:eek:
     
  17. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    1,973
    218
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four

    I don't think my leather seats produce enough static. I'll have to remember to wear more synthetics.
     
  18. blackpolish

    blackpolish New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2009
    24
    1
    0
    Location:
    KY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    What about the static that is produced by the plasmacluster when you start the car when you leave, or when you pull up to the pump?
     
  19. ctmurray

    ctmurray Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2006
    121
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    FYI: The Mythbusters tried very hard to make a cell phone cause gasoline to ignite and they were unable to do so. The rigged the experiments to favor explosion even.
     
  20. Jim Calvert

    Jim Calvert New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2009
    255
    28
    8
    Location:
    Worthington, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    As every licensed pilot of light aircraft knows (I am one), several safety steps must be made before refueling: the engine is shut down, all electrical devices are turned off, no smoking is allowed, and a static discharge line is connected to the aircraft. So the bottom line, for everyone's sake, is to use some common sense. Static electricity can kill. Just because something bad did not happen during a particular type of test doesn't mean it will not happen.