Cadmium Sulphide Sensors

Kurnai · 26th March 2010, 01:25 AM

Hi All,
IF I start rattling on PLEASE forgive me, I have spent 6 hours on the phone over the past few days tying to locate /source Cadmium Sulphide Sensors here in Townsville (Australia) .. NOT ONE Electronics parts supplier up here has any in stock, (and dont expect to order any either), some of these "So Called" Experts/Specialists did not even know what they were .. ?????.

So, Does ANYone know where (preferably in OZ) that I could obtain a few ?? .. failing that I would purchase overseas if that is the ONLY way to get em, ..

ANY advice/assistance would be much appreciated ...

Take Care
Regards
Jody.

scott wurcer · 26th March 2010, 01:45 AM

Just check ebay for photo resistors. There are many kits of various sizes.

DigitalJunkie · 26th March 2010, 02:05 AM

"CdS cell" is a more common name,I think.

pjp · 26th March 2010, 02:08 AM

Aren't CdS photocells illegal now ? (RoHS or something)

scott wurcer · 26th March 2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjp

Aren't CdS photocells illegal now ? (RoHS or something)

Lots of legacy stuff on the market in any case. Lead/Cadmium probaly six of one half dozen of the other.

Enzo · 26th March 2010, 04:58 AM

I have to admit, though I know what they are made of, I have never heard them refered to that way. When I search, I look for "photoresistor" or "photocell" or similer.

I don;t know how RoHS is affecting them, nor do I know how or if RoHS applies down under. But they are still available here in the USA.

A quick look at the usual suspects:

Jameco
www.jameco.com as photocells shows 12 different types of various on/off resistance, all under $2. Jameco is a lot smaller than Mouser of someone, but they usually have interesting hobbyist stuff.

Allied
Allied Electronics ? Electronic Parts and Components Distributor shows 28 types from 30 cents to several dollars under photocell. Allied is a huge supply house.

Digikey
DigiKey Corp. | Electronic Components Distributor | United States Home Page shows 32 types under photocell, and at least 4 of them are even RoHS compliant. All are close to $2.

Most if not all of these suppliers are international, though I have no idea about minimum orders or anything.

Kurnai · 26th March 2010, 11:54 AM

OK, Thank You for the answers, at least I now know that , IF need be I can at least source them, ...

Next, (& hopefully the last question) ,as I know nothing of them, just that they are mentioned in the schematic.
What would be the best spec/s for a CdS Photocell that would provide optimum results for the following application: Reflect sound along a Laser beam over variable distances from 20' to 100'-150' .... What for you ask ???, .... A DIY project of a parabolic mic.

Thanks Again my friends.
Jody..

bill_a · 27th March 2010, 01:43 AM

Jody,
WHY in the world would want to do that? Photodiodes are MUCH more linear, easier to use and cheaper. Cds cells are like dinosaurs... dead! There is NO reason - sonic or otherwise - to use a Cds cell. Plus, they deteriorate over time, whether they have been used or not, so anything you find now are probably pretty much gone.
Bill

Kurnai · 27th March 2010, 07:34 AM

Hi,
Why is it when a women go to an electronics store, I get, "better if your husband/boyfriend came in" ..
"Do you know what this is for ??"
Are you SURE you can/use do this ??
???????????????????????????????? ..
OK, I AM Female & I AM Blond ... BUT WTF ???...

JEEZ, this is my first try,at ANYTHING, ('cept for a Crystal Radio when I was 12-13,) ...
Cadmium Sulphide Sensors were/are mentioned in the Schematic ...THAT's why I was gonna use it..
Photodiodes ..?? Used the same way, ?? two connectors only ??

What am I using em for: Cause I would like to get some audio of an Eagle (plus other wildlife) but the closest I can (ever) get to the Eagles is 'bout 50metres, & then they are up a tree, anywhere from 5-50metres up.

bill_a · 28th March 2010, 02:26 AM

Jody,
There was absolutely no sexism intended in my post - I had no idea you were female - Jody is a name that can go either way, so if you take offense please forgive me.

It's just that Cds cells are really bad - they were way back then and have just gotten worse over time. If you want to copy an old schematic, why don't you post it or pm me and I'd be happy to take look. I'm an MSEE with a lot of experience in electro-optical engineering, and I'm pretty sure I can come up with a better solution to what you want to do.
Bill

26th March 2010, 01:25 AM	#1
Kurnai diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	Cadmium Sulphide Sensors Hi All, IF I start rattling on PLEASE forgive me, I have spent 6 hours on the phone over the past few days tying to locate /source Cadmium Sulphide Sensors here in Townsville (Australia) .. NOT ONE Electronics parts supplier up here has any in stock, (and dont expect to order any either), some of these "So Called" Experts/Specialists did not even know what they were .. ?????. So, Does ANYone know where (preferably in OZ) that I could obtain a few ?? .. failing that I would purchase overseas if that is the ONLY way to get em, .. ANY advice/assistance would be much appreciated ... Take Care Regards Jody.

26th March 2010, 01:45 AM	#2
scott wurcer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: cambridge ma	Just check ebay for photo resistors. There are many kits of various sizes. __________________ 2012, our time is running out.

26th March 2010, 11:54 AM	#7
Kurnai diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	Best Specs OK, Thank You for the answers, at least I now know that , IF need be I can at least source them, ... Next, (& hopefully the last question) ,as I know nothing of them, just that they are mentioned in the schematic. What would be the best spec/s for a CdS Photocell that would provide optimum results for the following application: Reflect sound along a Laser beam over variable distances from 20' to 100'-150' .... What for you ask ???, .... A DIY project of a parabolic mic. Thanks Again my friends. Jody..

27th March 2010, 07:34 AM	#9
Kurnai diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010	NOT CsD ?? Hi, Why is it when a women go to an electronics store, I get, "better if your husband/boyfriend came in" .. "Do you know what this is for ??" Are you SURE you can/use do this ?? ???????????????????????????????? .. OK, I AM Female & I AM Blond ... BUT WTF ???... JEEZ, this is my first try,at ANYTHING, ('cept for a Crystal Radio when I was 12-13,) ... Cadmium Sulphide Sensors were/are mentioned in the Schematic ...THAT's why I was gonna use it.. Photodiodes ..?? Used the same way, ?? two connectors only ?? What am I using em for: Cause I would like to get some audio of an Eagle (plus other wildlife) but the closest I can (ever) get to the Eagles is 'bout 50metres, & then they are up a tree, anywhere from 5-50metres up.

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26th March 2010, 02:05 AM	#3
DigitalJunkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Portland,Oregon Blog Entries: 4	"CdS cell" is a more common name,I think.

26th March 2010, 02:08 AM	#4
pjp diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: under the rainclouds	Aren't CdS photocells illegal now ? (RoHS or something)

26th March 2010, 04:58 AM	#6
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	I have to admit, though I know what they are made of, I have never heard them refered to that way. When I search, I look for "photoresistor" or "photocell" or similer. I don;t know how RoHS is affecting them, nor do I know how or if RoHS applies down under. But they are still available here in the USA. A quick look at the usual suspects: Jameco www.jameco.com as photocells shows 12 different types of various on/off resistance, all under $2. Jameco is a lot smaller than Mouser of someone, but they usually have interesting hobbyist stuff. Allied Allied Electronics ? Electronic Parts and Components Distributor shows 28 types from 30 cents to several dollars under photocell. Allied is a huge supply house. Digikey DigiKey Corp. \| Electronic Components Distributor \| United States Home Page shows 32 types under photocell, and at least 4 of them are even RoHS compliant. All are close to $2. Most if not all of these suppliers are international, though I have no idea about minimum orders or anything.

27th March 2010, 01:43 AM	#8
bill_a diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle	Jody, WHY in the world would want to do that? Photodiodes are MUCH more linear, easier to use and cheaper. Cds cells are like dinosaurs... dead! There is NO reason - sonic or otherwise - to use a Cds cell. Plus, they deteriorate over time, whether they have been used or not, so anything you find now are probably pretty much gone. Bill

28th March 2010, 02:26 AM	#10
bill_a diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle	Jody, There was absolutely no sexism intended in my post - I had no idea you were female - Jody is a name that can go either way, so if you take offense please forgive me. It's just that Cds cells are really bad - they were way back then and have just gotten worse over time. If you want to copy an old schematic, why don't you post it or pm me and I'd be happy to take look. I'm an MSEE with a lot of experience in electro-optical engineering, and I'm pretty sure I can come up with a better solution to what you want to do. Bill

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