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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:56 pm
by rp181
post what kind you ordered. Some phototransistors only work with IR, and may have a IR transparent epoxy(opaque to everything else). If so, you need IR LED's, datasheets usually specify matching LED's. If not, and normal LED will work depending on distance (farther= brighter).
Jimmy's page is the best I have seen, but here is mine:
http://rp181.110mb.com/index.php?p=1_24 ... speed-trap
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:59 am
by inonickname
rp181 wrote:post what kind you ordered. Some phototransistors only work with IR, and may have a IR transparent epoxy(opaque to everything else). If so, you need IR LED's, datasheets usually specify matching LED's. If not, and normal LED will work depending on distance (farther= brighter).
Jimmy's page is the best I have seen, but here is mine:
http://rp181.110mb.com/index.php?p=1_24 ... speed-trap
http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?a ... m&id=Z1613
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:13 pm
by rp181
The VERY limited datasheet doesn't say much, but it says "packaged in a special dark plastic". That means it is probably only transparent to infrared, you may need infrared diodes or a strong light source (no frequency specific, a broad range, use a normal heated filament lamp rather than an LED). When you get it, if the plastic is clear, try normal LED's. If the plastic is dark, normal LED's probably won't work.
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 3:57 pm
by jimmy101
Like rp181 said. Any incandescent will probably work OK. Fluorescents are out. Sun light will probably be the best thing other than IR LEDs.