Adafruit ADA388 - IR Transmitter LED
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- landru428
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 11:15 am
Adafruit ADA388 - IR Transmitter LED
I purchased a pack of 25 of these and have had a hard time getting them to work. I struggled with finding good example code and then with the library being outdated, but finally got to the point where I should reasonable expect the LED to transmit something, but no luck. I just confirmed that the LED doesn't light up at all (using a camera that can detect IR) when I give it current, where a normal LED will light up. I'm using a 220 ohm resistor on a 5v circuit. The spec sheet said 1.6 V and 100ma - 1a. I'm not sure if I'm within those specs? Maybe something else is wrong? Has anyone worked with the Adafruit ADA388?
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88147
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Adafruit ADA388 - IR Transmitter LED
5v with a 220 ohm resistor in series should give you about 15mA through the LED which should be sufficient to get it to emit some IR.
Make sure you have it wired with the right polarity. The longer leg is the anode.
Make sure you have it wired with the right polarity. The longer leg is the anode.
- landru428
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 11:15 am
Re: Adafruit ADA388 - IR Transmitter LED
It seems to work without the resistor, but still somewhat dim (as compared to my existing remotes). I may be (must be?) mistaken about how much voltage that pin is putting out. I visible LED shines pretty brightly with the resistor. It remains a mystery, but at least I can confirm that the IR LEDs are functional. I think the code remains the problem at this point.
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88147
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Adafruit ADA388 - IR Transmitter LED
Be very careful applying power without any current limiting resistor. These LEDs can handle 100mA, but only for very short pulses.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.