LED/IR Pair for Leaky Faucet Experiment

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The discussion focuses on building a leaky faucet experiment to measure the timing of water droplets using an LED/IR pair as a sensor. The user previously attempted the experiment with a HeNe laser but faced issues with sensor saturation. They seek a well-built, reasonably priced LED/IR pair specifically designed for this type of application. Suggestions include looking into kits for IR remote controls, which utilize modulation to minimize ambient light interference. The conversation also hints at the potential for exploring chaotic behavior in the experiment.
mbigras
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Hello Friends,

I'm building a version of the leaky faucet experiment. Which is to say, I'm going to measure the period of water dripping out of a valve. To measure the event of the droplet falling I want to use an LED/IR pair. My understanding is that these things are basically like super sensitive garage door lasers, the things that are at the entrance and if your foot crosses them the garage stops going down, except for me the garage door laser = the LED/IR pair and the foot crossing = the droplet falling.

I tried to building this experiment a couple years ago with a HeNe laser and a separate photo sensor but the laser was saturating the photo sensor. I'm aware that I could use the same setup and decrease the intensity of the laser but I don't want to do that. What I want is a well built, reasonably priced, LED/IR pair (if that's what it's called) that is intended to be used for something like what I'm doing. I mean, they have to exist right?

Is there anything coming to your mind that will work? If not is there anywhere you can recommend looking? like maybe some science sensor online store or something. Thanks for any help.

max
 
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mbigras said:
Hello Friends,

I'm building a version of the leaky faucet experiment. Which is to say, I'm going to measure the period of water dripping out of a valve. To measure the event of the droplet falling I want to use an LED/IR pair. My understanding is that these things are basically like super sensitive garage door lasers, the things that are at the entrance and if your foot crosses them the garage stops going down, except for me the garage door laser = the LED/IR pair and the foot crossing = the droplet falling.

I tried to building this experiment a couple years ago with a HeNe laser and a separate photo sensor but the laser was saturating the photo sensor. I'm aware that I could use the same setup and decrease the intensity of the laser but I don't want to do that. What I want is a well built, reasonably priced, LED/IR pair (if that's what it's called) that is intended to be used for something like what I'm doing. I mean, they have to exist right?

Is there anything coming to your mind that will work? If not is there anywhere you can recommend looking? like maybe some science sensor online store or something. Thanks for any help.

max

Look at kits to build IR Remote Controls (TX and RX modules). They use modulation to help reject ambient light noise.
 
Are you trying to observe the threshold of chaos?
 
I think it's easist first to watch a short vidio clip I find these videos very relaxing to watch .. I got to thinking is this being done in the most efficient way? The sand has to be suspended in the water to move it to the outlet ... The faster the water , the more turbulance and the sand stays suspended, so it seems to me the rule of thumb is the hose be aimed towards the outlet at all times .. Many times the workers hit the sand directly which will greatly reduce the water...
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