I just got back from Radioshack with a baggie with the contents of a pair of infrared detectors and emmiters. I have no clue how to wire the detector. They both look exactly like a pair of 5mm LED's. If I hook the detector up like a photoresistor, or a pushbutton, I get a variable, but it never changes. If I hook up the emmiter like a regular LED, it gets really hot. I assume that's normal?
If I hook up the emmiter like a regular LED, it gets really hot. I assume that's normal?
No not normal, you must restrict the current with a resistor just like with LEDs.
If you have an old webcam you can remove the internal filters and then you can see the IR LED working. Most digital cameras will work too.
check - Sensor tutorials - IR remote receiver/decoder tutorial -
do your IR stuff looks the same?
Your IR detector might be a phototransistor, photodiode, or just an IR led with a colored shell. Do you have any more precise specifications on what the part is? Product link?