Electronics Novice Needs Suggestions

[MATCHMAN]

I am working on designing a light bar about 30 inches long, that would have some type of beams at about 6in intervals casting parallel beams perpendicular to the bar. These beams would need to detect an object passing through them, displaying a flashing light, or illuminating a sensor light indicating that the beam was broken. It would need to be battery powered, and able to be turned on and off remotely by wireless. Has anybody got any ideas or could you refer me to where I could begin to read about components necessary to assemble this idea.

 

[user_88]

Pir sensors

I was looking at some of the items on the following page, but I am not completely sure if they would be useful to you.
https://www.futurlec.com/PIR_Sensors.shtml

 

[Reloadron]

Sounds like along the lines of a safety light curtain. You may want to take a look at TSOP17 IR modules as a start. What would be the wireless distance? If you are looking to detect animals for example in a field then maybe, as mentioned, a PIR sensor would do rather than a curtain design?

Ron

 

[MATCHMAN]

Sensor Bar with Remote on/off

Not sure if the PIR sensors shot out a beam or not, but it would need to shoot a beam that could be adjusted a bit for each individual application, (such as turning the outer beam a few degrees either way). The main thing is that if an object passed through this series of parallel beams approximately 30 inches wide, it would trigger a light indicating the object passed through the beams. The distance that the wireless would need to work should be 100-150 feet should be adequate. The place where the sensor bar would be placed would be difficult to access regularly, so it would be nice to include a battery pack that could be replace periodically.

 

[alec_t]

Not sure if the PIR sensors shot out a beam or not

The 'P' in PIR stands for passive. In other words a PIR doesn't send out a beam. It only receives IR from a passing object within its reception beam angle (which is generally pretty wide).

 

[dr peppers]

Laser pointers would work over long distances but you'd need a secure mount, you could use infra red lasers if you didnt want them seen.

You could use photo transitors, or photocells on the receiving end, if your electronic skills are good enough to save battery power you could multiplex the beams, so that only one is on at a time, a tone burst system would mean you could use standard tv type remote control receiver modules which would improve noise immunity.

 

[Reloadron]

Not sure if the PIR sensors shot out a beam or not, but it would need to shoot a beam that could be adjusted a bit for each individual application, (such as turning the outer beam a few degrees either way). The main thing is that if an object passed through this series of parallel beams approximately 30 inches wide, it would trigger a light indicating the object passed through the beams. The distance that the wireless would need to work should be 100-150 feet should be adequate. The place where the sensor bar would be placed would be difficult to access regularly, so it would be nice to include a battery pack that could be replace periodically.

Then you want as I originally mentioned and suggested you start with the TSOP17 modules I linked to. Commonly called a safety light curtain, here is an example. However, you want to build your own. You mention 30 inch with 6 inch intervals so 30 / 6 = 5 beams or 7 if you want a top and bottom. The On Off remote is not a problem as a keyfob and relay card can be used or any other number of wireless solutions.

Ron