optocouplers, LDR's, etc.

[Barcode80]

okay, so i'm confused. i'm building a tremulus lune. it calls for an LED/LDR combo. i have some questions...

1) is this the same as an optocoupler?

2) if so, could i use a matched infrared LED emitter/detector in place of a regular photoresistor and LED combo?

3) is an photoresistor the same as an LDR?

[Seljer]

1) optocoupler = a premade LDR+LED combo

2) well, yes, if it has some kind of LDR in it
if you're talking about a infrared photodiode/phototransistor then that won't work

3) yep, photoresistor, light dependant resistor, same thing

[Barcode80]

okay, so a photoresistor heatshrinked with any LED will create the LED/LDR combo i need? does it need to be any specific matching?

i'm a little surprised that an infrared LED emitter and an infrared LED detector can't be used. although i suppose the detector doesn't really act as a resistor, so i can see to some degree why it won't work. hmm, interesting.

[markm]

I used a VTL5C2 in my Trem Lune.
Worked fine for me but, I still like the EA better but, I'm Old!