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Author Topic: Omnidirectional IR diode  (Read 7801 times)

Offline poesel

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on: April 27, 2008, 05:18:38 AM
I've build my first pen and it somehow works. Problem is that the diode shines most its light to the front which then isn't detected by the wiimote.

So I'm looking for a diode that sends out to all directions so it can be seen from the side. Manufacturer and type would be nice! :)

Another idea: has anyone tried a normal bulb? Thats sends out IR too. Drawback would be higher energy consumption of course. Would that work?


Offline inio

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Reply #1 on: April 27, 2008, 03:25:10 PM
Try putting the fluff from a q-tip in front of the LED.  Hot-glue works pretty well for attaching it (and is transparent).  You need a nice high-power LED to start with though for it to be visible from any reasonable distance.

bulbs won't work well because their emission is such broad spectrum, and really not too much in IR.  To get the same energy in 800-900nm you'd need at least 10x the energy, if not more.


Offline Smokeduv

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Reply #2 on: April 28, 2008, 07:08:24 PM
A lightbulb does work, but i don't think it would be a great idea since the lightbulb has some disadvantages, like getting hot and it requires more power to light the bulb, so, you need better batteries (like 2 AA or something like that, instead or just some wristwatch batteries that cost a little and lasts a lot in a LED).

Using hotglue works great and is a better choice, it widespreads the IR light so it can be visible from a wider angle (not a lot BTW) but any improve is always good.


Offline poesel

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Reply #3 on: May 03, 2008, 04:38:52 PM
Thanks for the answers. A lightbulb does indeed but not very good.
I'll try the hotglue thing.


Offline JDuzio

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Reply #4 on: May 03, 2008, 08:23:53 PM
so. hot glue cotton fluff onto the tip of the light? is the point to force the light to  be emitted more from the sides of the led bulb and not the top? im just having a hard time picturing what you mean by gluing it on.


Offline Kurtangletn

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Reply #5 on: May 05, 2008, 04:13:01 PM
Yes please explain a bit more, my diode I got from radio shack really sucks because it's almost exclusively front light.


Offline inio

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Reply #6 on: May 05, 2008, 07:16:13 PM
The fluff acts as a diffuser.  The hotglue is only there to hold it on - don't need much at all.  Hotglue is nice because it's transparent.


Offline Smokeduv

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Reply #7 on: May 14, 2008, 12:45:47 AM
Wait a little until i take a photo of the IR pen because it's been used in a school already, let me say to them to borrow it to me for a day so you can see what I say about the hotglue, it's not big deal though.


Offline Smokeduv

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Reply #8 on: May 14, 2008, 12:47:44 AM
Oh, by the way, as inio says, hot glue looks very, very nice if you put it correctly, o it doesn't looks like a bad DIY project, hehehe


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