So I saw this thing online where you can make your own wireless wii sensor bar and decided it would be a FUN PROJECT. In the video, the dude uses a 4-pack AA battery, 4 infrared LEDs, a switch, and then just wires all the positives together on a perf board.
http://doctabu.livejournal.com/64758.html
I have two one-battery AA packs and two IR LEDs. I also got an extra switch and some red leds because I've never done this sort of crap before and my human eyes can see red ;<
My first design used the
visible red LED and went one battery pack - red wire to switch prong 1 - another red wire from switch prong 2 to long LED prong - black wire from short LED prong to black wire on battery pack. Flipping the switch, nothing happens.
I imagine it's a problem with voltages and resistances not matching up, but I don't understand ohm's law well enough to make any sort of calculation here and I don't know what sort of power AA batteries produce. Ideally, here is my completed device: One AA battery pack to One AA battery pack to switch to IR LED to IR LED to One AA battery pack (return). In other words, two AA batteries powering two IR LEDs with a switch.
Oh and while we're at it could someone teach me how to use a perf board properly ;< I'm not using the lil contact rings at all ;<
OH I FORGOT here are the specs on the LEDs.
Infrared
Electrical characteristics (25 deg C)
Radiant power output (100mA): 16mW min.
Forward voltage: 1.2V
Forward current: 100mA
Viewing angle to 1/2 intensity: 45 deg
Absolute maximum ratings (25 deg C)
Forward voltage (20mA): 1.6V
Reverse voltage: 5V
Forward current: 1.2A
Reverse current: 10uA
Wavelength: 940nm
Regular Red
Absolute maximum ratings (at 25 deg C)
Power dissipation: 60mW
Forward current: 3.0VDC max.
Optoelectric characteristics (at 10mA)
Forward voltage: 2.6V
Luminous intensity: 10mcd
Peak wavelength: 650nm