Hacking the KY-005 IR transmitter module

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

In another thread, the OP is using a KY-005 IR transmitter, but the codes are getting through only some of the time. Looking at the KY-005 online, it appears it is nothing more than the IR LED. There's no transistor, or any other parts on the module. The middle pin, supposedly V+, isn't connected to anything.

So that means the LED is being driven directly from the GPIO pin, and the current is something like 20mA. Every IR remote I've taken apart draws at least several hundred milliamps, and one was 1A.

I can't find a picture of how the traces are laid out, but there are lots of plated-through holes on it, and I wondered if it might be possible to "rework" the module to add a TO-92 2N2222 or something similar, a collector resistor, and a base resistor to the module.

Does anyone have a KY-005 that they could experiment with? Or has this by chance already been worked out somewhere?

2

KY-005 schematic :

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I found this module on the Aliexpress website that has resistors.

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https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005005396794870.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis!BRL!R%24%204%2C85!R%24%204%2C80!!!0.93!0.92!%402103246617092963710886089e4f2b!12000032896418763!sh!BR!196481394!&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007616036208.1005005396794870&gatewayAdapt=glo2bra

3

Thanks, but that Aliexpress module appears to just have a visible indicator LED added. Still no transistor or mosfet that would control the IR current - unless it's built into the LED package.

What I really need is a photo or diagram that shows the traces on the KY-005 module - which holes are connected to which.

4

I found this picture:

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It doesn't look very promising. There would have to be some trace cutting to install a transistor.

5

Isn't it easier to make your own design on a small piece of perforated PCB?

6

Yes, I think it is. I was hoping the original board had been laid out to use a transistor, but just not populated with one. But it looks like that's not the case.

7

Pro-tip... everything from the "?" to the end of the string is tracking data. This (above) link shows the same thing, without the tracking data.