What type of LED is this

[Monsterenergy]

I need to replace this LED. It does not emit any light when it works so I can assume it is infrared. It has a K9 on the side of it otherwise there are no numbers. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[(*steve*)]

This looks like it's from some fairly old equipment given all that gold...

The issue with IR LEDs is that they come in several "colours" (wavelengths) and you may need to pick the correct one.

Is this LED part of a pair of devices (a LED and a photodiode?) It may be worth considering replacing both because that way you can ensure you have a pair of devices that match up correctly.

Alternatively, there may be more information on the photodiode (or phototransistor) -- but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Alternatively again, you may be able to find a service manual or a schematic for the device and that may contain more information.

 

[Monsterenergy]

This looks like it's from some fairly old equipment given all that gold...

The issue with IR LEDs is that they come in several "colours" (wavelengths) and you may need to pick the correct one.

Is this LED part of a pair of devices (a LED and a photodiode?) It may be worth considering replacing both because that way you can ensure you have a pair of devices that match up correctly.

Alternatively, there may be more information on the photodiode (or phototransistor) -- but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Alternatively again, you may be able to find a service manual or a schematic for the device and that may contain more information.

Thanks Steve. It actually is in a encoder that reads a scale. The scale is made of steel and the encoder travels across counting the lines. (25,400 per inch). It is manufactured by a company called Mitutoyo. This is there new style where as the last ones just used 5v lamps. Both will read the same scale.

 

[shrtrnd]

The 1970's/80's way was the 5V lamp with an optical encoder. So this is probably
newer than that. My dumb question is, did you contact the manufacturer, or do you
have or can you get a schematic/manual on this instrument, and maybe find the full
part number for the device?

 

[Sid723]

If you think it is infrared, then how do you know it is defective?

If you can apply power to the device, see if you can measure a voltage across it.
If it has a voltage drop of around 1 to 2 volts, you can always try the old digital phone camera trick.

With the infrared LED powered on, you can see it light up by looking at it through your phone camera. Most cameras will pick up infrared and will show up as a blue light on your digital camera.

This way you can tell if the LED is indeed dead.