Working on my custom build here and wondering if anybody knows the power requirements of the transmitter side of Pinball Life's opto trough. There doesn't seem to be a data sheet available.
-5 volts or 12?
-Resistor(s) needed? I have a bunch of 220ohms that have served me well.
-Also, can the receiver side hook directly to my GPIO pins?
I'll see what I can find, but the PBL trough seems to be a custom part. I think I might talk to them about it directly.
Either way, I'll post my findings here for others' reference.
Aaaand promise kept.
PBL's engineer, Scott, got back to me about the power requirements. The transmitter LEDs run at 1.7V and between 75-100ma. This means they can use the 5V power supply with 47ohm resistors, as per this very useful resistor calculator:
http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz?VS=5;VF=1.7;ID=75
I've got a pack of them coming now, along with a much-needed desoldering iron. Hopefully this info is helpful for someone!
Golly, you made it clear in the email and yet I managed to forget it upon posting. At least I remembered when I ordered them!
Um... *checks email* Yep, got the right ones. 
Here is a quick write-up with more detail I did on how to hook up optos in your homebrew project. 
http://www.scottdanesi.com/?p=1433
--Scott
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Hopkins, MN