In this part finder, we wanted to highlight Infrared (IR) LEDs. We have two we use in the TV-B-Gone kit – one is a narrow beam (20 degree) and one is a wide beam (40 degree). For ‘night vision’ illumination, we think the wide beam may be a little more useful. For IR remotes and such, check out the narrow beam.

One thing about IR LEDs to watch is that they are designed for high power use. Whereas most LEDs dont like more than 20 mA drive current, IR LEDs can often take 100 mA constant current! Not only that but for pulses (such as remote control signals) the max current is a blistering 1000 mA!

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NEW PRODUCT – Super-bright 5mm IR LED (25 pack) – 940nm. Infrared LEDs are used for remote controls (they’re the little LED in the part you point at your TV) and ‘night-vision’ cameras, and these little blue guys are high powered ones! They are 940nm wavelength, which is what nearly all devices listen to. They’re 20 degree beamwidth, and work great for any kind of remote control application. This is a pack of 25!

We used one of these to make a camera control footswitch/intervalometer. These are the same LEDs we use in our super TV-B-Gone kit. You can drive them continuously (for ‘night vision’ illumination) with 100mA and for IR remote application they can take up to 1 Amp pulses (!). For high powered use, we suggest matching these up with our power MOSFETs.

If you want to make a sender/receiver pair, you’ll want to get an IR remote receiver sensor as well.

We have a tutorial that covers everything you’ll need to know about IR remote control sensing as well as how to ‘clone’ a remote control.

In stock and shipping now!