Testing xl15 transformer - Air Purifiers

I called with this problem, and after explaining that I did everything I was supposed to do, including vacuuming the inside and outside, cleaning the wire with at LEAST 20 up & down strokes, and cleaning the plates with hot sudsy water, allowing 24 hours to dry and the holding down the power button to reset the unit for 10 seconds; the near-English speaking tech asked me if I had done each step (individually) that I JUST TOLD HER I did. She asked me if I had the original store receipt (which I couldn't find at the time I was on the phone) and then told me that they would send me another one for $29.95 freight plus I would have to pay for return shipping of the original (2-month-old) unit. At this rate of exchange I could just buy another brand new one in less than a year.

Here you go my friend...
http://alpineairproducts.com/?action=Products&Product=79&PHPSESSID=7a86f6ae93806cddc78aea015eb0c1a5
Hope this helps.... Please leave feedback for me!

Please check the fuse first. Unscrew or unlatch the small knob at the back of the machine and inspect the fuse. Even if it looks OK, you probably should replace it. Be sure to get one that is the EXACT same size, available at an auto parts store. If the fuse was the problem, the new fuse should allow your machine to power up and work well.

Make sure the plates are inserted firmly and correctly into the grooves at the top and bottom, so the fingers press firmly on the screen portion.

If the fan now works, but you aren't detecting any purifier (or hearing the buzz caused by the electricity cycling through the plates) you'll need a new transformer. This sends the power through the contact fingers to the plates. Vollara (formerly Alpine/EcoQuest) no longer makes the XL15. The newer machine is called the Classic. Call customer service and they'll tell you what your options are. 800-989-2299. Use #16618 if you need a referral number.

The ozone plate may need to be replaced.

look through the front grill while its "on" you should see a glow from a neon lamp inside. If its not on chances are the circuit card is dead (should have about 350VDC plate voltage).
I have a used but good board if anyone needs one.
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The plates should not glow, but on High, you should hear a buzzing sound. But, you should also smell the ozone. I've only worked on two, but the reason they both didn't work was that the connectors on the wires leading to the plates were corroded beyond use. The top connector was the worst. Cutting them off and installing new ones solved the problem. Also, when you clean it, always clean the contacts where they touch the plates with alcohol. Look at the plates to see if they have more than one spot of glue around the center of the plate. (both sides) If so, they will be less noisy than older ones. Hint - Replace the plates when the glue on them turns dark brown.

My solution is to garbage it because after reading all the other testimonials I am not going to wait for an answer on the fuse question.
Thanks anyway

Clean the contacts that touch the plates with Qtips and 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol and replace the plates. Sparking on the plates usually is a sign of a crack in the plate. The electricity is passing through the plate, creating an arc. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye.

Confirm that the appropriate sections of the circuitry are powered up and drawing power; check the interlock switch action; toss it back to the maker because the Hi-V transformer or ladder circuit or sense or hold caps were (if testing proves) never quite functional.