Carrier electrostatic filter died. What's the cheapest option?

My Carrier 31KAX electrostatic air cleaning system seems to have bit the dust. The power available light is not lit and I don't hear the arcing noise usually associated to it's operation. Did a thorough cleaning of all the filters in the dishwasher and still no dice. Just Googling for parts it seems the main board is a $3-400 item. Ouch! Any options? I'm quite electrically and mechanically inclined so I'm open to suggestions.

Can you just stick a regular panel filter in there and call it a day? It seems a 20x20 will fit.

 

What you have is an electronic air cleaner. Yes you might be able to use a standard pleated filter.

 

Yes, I'm aware of the type of air cleaner. I'm wondering if there is a cheap fix for the electronics. If not will putting a pleated or media filter in work/be safe.

 

Well, since you say you are good at fixing things, it may be repairable. Just depends on your level of confidence, and ability. I have been repairing electronics and mechanical devices for over 15 years now and have never come across something I couldn't either repair, or justify replacing because of the cost to repair. If you're comfortable working around electronics, I would first check the power supply. Use a digital meter/easiest to test. We know from from experience it's supplied by either 110/120 volts, or even 220. There's a good chance you'll find the problem right there in the power supply. After that, it all depends on your skill level. Disclaimer: DON'T DO THIS UNLESS YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH WORKING AROUND ELECTRICAL DEVICES. YOU MIGHT GET HURT, OR KILLED. Maybe you'll find an internal fuse. Google the model and see if you can come up with a schematic. Other than that, it's really hard to troubleshoot someones equipment over the internet. If you come back with some checks, and results, maybe we can point you in the right direction. But, again, call a professional if this is not your forte. Everything is replaceable, except a life...

 

Try cleaning it out... Kill the power, open it up and blow it out with compressed air. That's all I had to do to fix mine...

 

What you describe sounds like the power supply is bad. You could also have a short in one of the collecting cells and that would cause the light not to come on. If you bought a new power supply and fired it up, the supply would burn out again if one of the cells were shorted.

You can install a brand new 20x20 Honeywell EAC state of the art unit for $400 and change so it wouldn't make any sense to spend that much fixing your older unit.

http://www.cleanairsystemsinc.net/product-79.html