IR sensor options - weather proofing

Other Hardware Sensors
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I am using an IR sensor and IR remote to control a stepper motor.

The motor and all electronics are housed inside an aluminum box. I need a fairly weather proof solution for the IR sensor . Is there any product that has the actual Diode? that needs to see the IR remotes signal on some longer wires so it is separate from the board itself? Or is there a product out there that is made for this situation.

Something where the Diode is able to be exposed from the aluminum housing or at least flush with the outside edge but the board and wiring remains inside of the aluminum box?

Thank you in advance!

2

There are lots of IR sensors and many are waterproof, except for the electronic connections. Which sensor are you using?

3

Thank you for the reply.

Im using the Hojffuue 38Khz Ir Receiver

here is the amazon link.

4

Thanks for the link. The IR receiver has three pins, so is an active device. If this was my project and you need to fully enclose the receiver, I would remove the IR sensor device and mount it only through a hole in your enclosure and seal it and hold it with electronic grade RTV. Then use small stranded wire to connect back to the circuit board.

Less desirable would be to add a window through the enclosure so the IR sensor can see outside the enclosure. Need material that is transparent to IR wavelength you are using.

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5

So essentially I would cut off the existing ir receiver diode and solder on some wires then add a diode to the end of those wires?

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6

That is a LOT more than an IR diode. It is an active device that decodes the 38kHz IR signal from your sending device.

Do not cut it off unless you have an exact replacement. Unsolder it and remove it from the board. IF you can't do that, try to find a plastic light pipe material that will pass IR signals and seal that pipe through the side of the enclosure.

7

The light pipe you mentioned got me thinking.

All I likely need is a small window for IR light to get through the. It shouldn’t have a problem bouncing around inside the box and finding the receiver.

I’ve been searching all over for some kind of small round plexiglass window if you will. Something like a typical snap bushing but with plastic across the from instead of an open hole for a wire to pass through.

I’ve attached an image of the bushing I’m talking about. Any clue if something like that exists a or at least the terminology I could use to search it?

image
image828×1792 160 KB

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I thought you were wanting waterproofing for the enclosure. The bushing is far from waterproofed.
Can you not make a plastic window and mount it with RTV? Certainly does not need to be round! Be sure the plastic will pass IR light.

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Ya the bushing is just the style of thing I am thinking will work. But picture that bushing as push in plug but it’s made of see through plastic and instead of a hole for the wire it’s completely capped but the plastic. Dab of RTV to hold it in as you said.

I’m just asking if there is a name for what I am thinking of.

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You alluded to it before, but why not just use a sealed light pipe?

You need to check that it's transparent at your IR wavelength like the other poster said, but this should work fine in your application.

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I’m going to give it a try for sure. Any recommendations on a specific light pipe?

12

This enclosure is 'clear' to IR.

Key Features:
IR Red version is almost totally transparent to infrared devices.

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