IR Emitter Project Newb At The Wheel!

Thread Starter

Crash1976

Joined Jun 10, 2009
2
Ok so I'm working on this paintball gun that has PDS (paintball detection system)installed. It's an older system and It utilizes an IR emitter that is "Always on" and a reciver that when the IR light is blocked closes the circuit and allows the solenoid to "fire". Pretty simple so far.

Keep in mind I'm a Newb and even reading my DMM can be a challenge.

I'm using an Optek OP165A emitter and an OP505A phototransistor.

The voltage I measure across the emitter terminals is 1v(+/-.2v)
My curent is what is bothering me it shows .580mA(+/-.02mA). This is way to low to operate the emitter, as I get no light showing up on camera.

Is there any way to step up the curent or should I be looking for something causing current loss further up the chain?
 

Thread Starter

Crash1976

Joined Jun 10, 2009
2
I just need to figure out how to get the curent I need and how to know if it is due to a problem elswhere in the circuit.
 

beenthere

Joined Apr 20, 2004
15,819
The IR diode probably has a forward drop of 1.5 volts. You do not have enough voltage present to bias it into conduction. You might check your battery.
 
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