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[liquid-core]

I figured this needs some discussing. I have a few questions and ideas and would like to hear some other ideas.  I guess I will start it off

I am currenly working on building a wireless sensor bar that reads the dimensions of the TV (thx for the idea grim ). The questions I have are pretty simple:

1) Will IR LED with the following specs work:
Infrared LEDS
3mm
T1
Peak Wavelength: 980nm
1.5VDC

2) AA batteries give off around 1.5V when new. Would these be suitable to power the above LEDs or should I look into stronger/ more powerful batteries? I know that the LEDs run off of 1.5V, but the batteries do wear down, once they get to the estimate 1.35V I will run into problems correct?

Heres a description of what I'm building:

My sensory "boxes" will be L-shaped. On the long end of the "L" the battery will be held. Along the shorter side the IR LEDs will be located as well as the resistors and switch (just a nice little slider switch). The encasement will be constructed of plexiglass (the front piece will be tinted) and then covered with a thin layer of metal (I figured that it will add a nice industrial look to it and make it all pretty) excluding the front piece. I think I will also add a blue LED that will light up the exposed pieces of plexiglass (don't think it will cause problems) for a nice Wii like touch and so I know when the devices are on or off.

I will also test if the LEDs should be horizontal to the top of the TV or if them being vertical will make a difference.

LETS HEAR YOUR IDEAS!

O'Malley

[yaazz]

Most led require 5v to run correctly, so what I would do is use a 9V battery with a resistor on the line

[liquid-core]

I figured that would be the main solution to it but thought input from sceners wouldn't hurt.

O'Malley

[SR388]

My plan is to use these 2 old thumbdrive shells to house the IR emitters and run the required amount of voltage to each one via transformer

not really wireless, but it will work better than stock

I may may a wirless version with a switch and rechargable batteries sometime later

[Y26tav]

Two candles either side of the televison.. Problem solved.

[liquid-core]

Sounds like a good plan. What do you mean transformers? Will they be plugged into an outlet? Seems it would be easier just to wire both thumbdrives to one 9 volt battery don't you think?

O'Malley

[SR388]

yea, plugged into an outlet

It would be easier, but I don't like batteries

[liquid-core]

I personally think it would look alot cleaner than having a big wire leading to the wall.

Just my .02 cents.

O'Malley

[SR388]

lol, originaly i was planning on mounting them inside of my tv, but I don't feel like taking my tv apart

but once again, you have to look at the pros and cons:

bat idea:looks clean - have to replace batteries and deal with voltage drops
Transformer Idea: doesn't need an off switch or replacement batteries -  has to have very small wires coming out the back to the transformer

[liquid-core]

True. I am curious to see how yours comes out.

I think once I get mine done and tested (if it works well) then I will write up a tut on how to make my version.

O'Malley

[SR388]

cool, and i'll do the same for my version

[grim_d]

QUOTE(liquid-core @ Dec 5 2006, 12:51 AM)

(thx for the idea grim ).

me?

[omegajedi]

How about a piece of thin, long, plexi on each side.  Drill holes from the back and insert the leds, that way the whole front of the plexi will glow.  Something like this...

photoshoped image of what it might look like

[liquid-core]

QUOTE(grim_d @ Dec 5 2006, 04:16 AM)

me?

I thought it was you...

O'Malley

[grim_d]

QUOTE(liquid-core @ Dec 5 2006, 02:37 PM)

I thought it was you...

O'Malley

i have no idea, memory like a fish

cool discussion anyways, keep it coming