HiViz - Kits - CBP2: Crossed-beam Photogate PCB Kit

The HiViz WorkShop

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Crossed-Beam Photogate PCB Kit, unassembled

CBP2

This is the PCB/project box version of our crossed-beam photogate kit. For the breadboard version, click here.

The crossed-beam photogate uses a pair of infrared photogates oriented at right angles to each other. This type of photogate can be used to automatically actuate a camera shutter when an object passes through the beam intersection. This makes it useful for photographing birds and insects. If a camera is centered and focused at the beam crossing, the shutter will be actuated only when the object moves through the point of focus. Click here for more information.

Completed assembly

(Control box, frame, cable)

The CBP2 kit includes the following:

all parts for a 10" square photogate frame. The photogate frame is large enough for insects and small birds.
all parts for the control box, shown to the right
6-ft cable to connect the photogate frame to the control box

The control box has the following features:

On-off switch
Internal 9V battery power (battery not provided)
Jack for optional AC/DC adapter
Smoothly-variable coarse and fine sensitivity controls
Jacks for the photogate and output cables
LED to indicate when unit is triggered
Focus switch for the camera

A complete list of the parts provided in the kit is given here. Assembly instructions are here.

While triggering a camera is the most common application for the crossed-beam photogate, the circuit can also trigger flash units and wireless transmitters and can be connected to the external input of a Multi-Trigger in order to use the delay timer.

You can also purchase the Crossed-beam Photogate assembled. (It takes us about a week to assemble the unit.) This includes the control box, a 10-inch photogate frame, and the cable to connect the frame to the box. A shutter cable is additional. See below.

What else you need: A shutter cable is required in order to use the Crossed-beam Photogate to actuate a camera shutter. (This is the most common application.)

Camera shutter cables

Select the shutter cable for your camera below.

See the list of compatible cameras here.

Cords are about 1-foot long and may be coiled or straight, depending on what we can get from our suppliers. A 2.5mm to 3.5mm stereo adapter is included. A 6-foot extension cable may be ordered for just $1.95 more.

Click on the images to enlarge.

Nikon MC-30 type shutter cable

Canon RS-80N3 type shutter cable

Nikon MC-DC2 type shutter cable

Canon RS-60E3 type shutter cable

This is a 6-ft long straight cable with a 2.5mm plug on each end. The included 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter makes the cord usable with HiViz enclosures projects.

DIY shutter cable If you want to use a shutter release cable that you already own rather than buying one of ours, you can just get the connectors shown here and follow these instructions.

AC/DC adapter

The AC/DC adapter provides a substitute for a 9V battery to power your HiViz circuits. The adapter accepts 100-240V input voltage at 50-60 Hz; output is a regulated 9 VDC. The power rating is 10 W.