9V IR detector

This is a great, simple project to make a small and robust 9V IR detector. It can be used to seek out security cameras that use infrared light to "see" or to check if your remote control is still working.

Step 1 What you need

For this project you will need:
-A 9V battery clip with a flat cover made of plastic
-A 9V battery
-LED (any color although it should be clear in order to see it better)
-330 ohm resistor (orange-orange-brown-gold or silver)
-Infrared Phototransistor
-perf board (see 2nd picture)
-double sided mounting tape
-wire
-needlenose pliers
-wire snipper
-dremel or hack saw to cut perf board
-clear epoxy-like glue
-Soldering equipement:
      -soldering iron
      -solder with flux core

A shematic is given in step 12, picture #4.

Comments

[Candymanproductions]

I now added a circuit diagram, as seen on step 12, picture #4.
I hope it answeres most of your questions, if not, let me know.

[m1s73r]

Is it possible to increase the range of the IR Phototransistor? I've tried it with my TV remote but it does only work in range of approximately 4 inches... Also, I have an idea, couldn't you add a red LED, which light up if no Infrared Signal is in near?

Thanks

[Candymanproductions]

It's not that easy to increase the range of the phototransistor because if you would, you would also get more false readings because the natural light would be recognized more. The actual reason why the remote must be in a range of 4 inches is because th IR LED of the remote is too weak. The TV can sense the IR LED because the remote lets it flash at a certain frequency, which makes it possible for the TV to concentrate on the remote's light and cancel out other IR light sources, linke natural light.
You could add a red LED, but that would use up too much circuit board space to make it fit on a 9V battery clip.

[axeman911]

is an Infrared Phototransistor the same thing as a infrared LED?

[Candymanproductions]

No, an infrared LED emitts light, but an infrared phototransistor senses light.

[axeman911]

so what would happen if i were to replace it with an infrared LED would that detect anything or would it like interrupt signals or anything?

[Candymanproductions]

No, that would only make the project act like a infrared flashlight and won't have any detecting abilities at all.

[kill-a-watt]

Don't you need a filter that passes (near)-IR only as a filter, or is the detector itself sufficient to avoid triggers from visible light?

[Candymanproductions]

You shouldn't need a filter because if you use an Infrared phototransistor, it will only trigger when pointed to IR light.
The detector though will register some IR light when used in sunlight, as it containes light from the infrared spectrum.

[aesquivel]

Will the battery drain if no IR is detected?

[Candymanproductions]

No because if no light is detected, the IR Phototransisitor won't let any electricity flow.

[kill-a-watt]

I'd measure that to be sure. If it's only a few milliamperes then you won't notice any difference compared to the shelf life of the battery, so it would not matter. Otherwise, adding a switch or removing it from the battery should do the trick.

[Candymanproductions]

Yes, a switch would be a possibility.
On the other hand, you could just remove the detector from the battery to be sure that no eletricity is wasted.

[arbita2]

good good good

[kel noseh]

simpleness is greatness

[skrubol]

You have the LED labeled as Infrared LED. That should be visible LED shouldn't it?

If you need higher sensitivity, there are also photodarlingtons, which, if you aren't familiar with darlington transistor configurations, have 10-100x the gain.

[Candymanproductions]

Oh thanks, I'll fix that right away.

[falcotheimpaler]

Now, if this does what i'm assuming it does, the LED should pulse with the frequency of the IR code being sent to the transistor.
if so, one could replace the LED with another IR LED, (and potentially an extension lead) and create a low-cost IR repeater, for using remotes across corners, in other rooms, etc.
(I tend to find practical uses for things like this)

[XOIIO]

Not a bad idea, I used to build these to test if remotes were working. As for detecting night vision cameras, they do horribly. Not enough LED's to pick them up well, and these IR LEDS are weak, they only work well within 10 feet, otherwise they barely do anything.

[robot1398]

the same instructable
http://www.instructables.com/id/IR-Detector/

[pdub77]

I would argue that this is not the same. This build is quite a bit more elegant and therefore worthy of its own instructable.

[robot1398]

u r correct

[AT]

I just love simple! Great project.

I know why you used a 330 ohm resistor. Not everyone will. Could you add a simple calculation on why a 330 ohm resistor with the 9v battery? :-)

[Candymanproductions]

Well I haven't done many calculations lately, but I'll have a try:

I * R = E

0,012amps * 330ohm = 3.96volts

which is safe enough for the clear LEDs

[AT]

Just a simple Ohm's Law should do it. :-)

[Goodhart]

The schematic has the output LED labeled Infrared LED which means one could not see if it were ON or not (and once it was on, it would keep the IR phototransistor ON and drain the battery.

[der_fisherman]

Hi,

great idea and could be very useful when testing for IR from remotes and the like, but I personally always like to see a circuit diagram before building anything, even something this simple/easy......can you add a simple sketch of the connections.

I could probably work it out myself, but me being born lazy......

For anyone else who maybe wants to understand the operation better, they may agree with me.

Full marks though for simplicity and ease of use, many thanks.

Regards
Andy
PS If there is already one here and I did not see it, I am VERY unobservant, apologies/sorry!

[Venemot]

Well actually there is.....the last pic on the last page is a schematic of the whole circuit...!!!!

[der_fisherman]

Many thanks, I thought I may have overlooked it somehow.....
Regards
Andy

[kill-a-watt]

I might suggest that at least add text to the intro saying there's a schematic on step 12. You may think it's so simple that the schematic is not needed, and that's true, but think of the diagram as a "Cliff's notes" of the project.

First thing I did was hit "show all steps" and then skim for the schematic (and then fav your project).

[techrobo]

cool!

[MadCobbler]

I love minimal component projects, but a schematic or circuit diagram would help clarify what your are doing.

[azharjaved2000]

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM, EVEN IF IT IS SCRIBBLED BY HAND. THANK YOU

[Suyogaerospace]

Circuit diagram please

[bkaspersky]

can i use this http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Cricklewood/product.php?productid=20865&cat=0&page=1

[stackerjack]

No, this is a diode, which emits I.R, light.
You need an I.R, detector.
Try Maplins, or Radiospares.

[bkaspersky]

help?

[leggomylegoeggo]

it apears to be an IR LED, not an "ir phototransistor". I don't know, but it probably wouldn't.

[compaqxp123]

I've wondered if you could send music over IR. For example have a transmitter hooked up to the radio, nothing complicated there, and have a recived on the other end connected to an amp.

Perhaps I'll try and Idea I have.

[Marche]

You can! Google IrDA, it's been around for ages. If you want to take a more hacky approach, you could even transmit the raw PCM via IR serial. The serial over IR might take way too long to be practical though :P