>
> >     What's your favorite opto-transistor?  I need to be able to "see"
> >     sunlight with an opto-transistor (no accuracy required, using an
> >     infrared transistor seems fine).
>
> Look at the TI light to frequency converter. Comes in a transparent
> 8pin DIP. Generates a pulse train whose frequency depends on
> the light on the package. I just read about it in the Nov Nuts &
> Volts (recommended BTW, info at http://www.nutsvolts.com/). Part
> number is downstairs but I'm sure TI's web page search would find it.
>
> Worth it to have a transparent IC on your board :-) :-)

Agreed. I've done the same with discrete components. Use a CdS photocell
as one of the resistors in a 555 in astable mode. The output freqeuncy
varies with the light. Not too bad with $5 in Rat Shack parts... Use it
to control my outside lights with a 16C84 determining the freqeuncy threashold.
If I had to do it again I'd probably use a 12C508 to do the same job as the
555 because it could do the detection and control the lights too...

BAJ