TPMS

[rocket rod]

Howdy All

Found a lot of info on TPMS here but looking at an update from anyone that has an internal sensor system. Twice on my current TPMS the valve sensors have fallen off and they also caused rim damage hence the change to internal types. Is there any difference between internal valve mounted vs rim (strap) mounted? Are external antennas needed as I have a camper trailer to fit as well? I need 9 sensors and my current thinking is Sensatyre but welcome your thoughts. Please, only comments about internal systems.

Rod.

[austastar]

Hi,
I bought a set of internals, but am waiting till I get new tyres fitted.
I was quoted $100:00 to have them fitted in the present tyres and I will need new tyres soon, so it can be done then at a fraction of the cost.
Cheers

[SeanC]

I have heard the internal sensors are often damaged when the tyre is changed. Even when the tyre shop is made aware of it.

I have Doran external sensors on the valve stem for the last 4 years. Lots of deep sand, mud and water. Still there. No rim damage. Just screw on. No locking mechanism. The only drawback is the sensor is completely sealed so the it needs to be replaced when the battery goes flat. Between 5-7 years. But sensors with replaceable batteries are more likely to leak meaning you need to replace the sensor anyway.

[austastar]

Hi
Mine are a replacement valve stem, so should be routine care from the tyre shop.
Cheers

[oka374]

I've had a Sensatyre system with internal sensors on alloy rims. After about 4 years the sensors batteries started to fail. You cannot replace the batteries but must replace the sensors at $80 each, an expensive exercise. I pulled one of the inoperative sensors apart, the battery is a button type with solder tubs, they are available on ebay for a couple of dollars each. As we were going away shortly after the sensors started failing I bought a $40 set of eternal valve mounted sensors and display off ebay. They work perfectly and when the batteries start to fail after a few years can be easily replaced for few dollars.
A short piece of insulation tube on the valve stem stops them wobbling and making the rims. The best bit is the display is solar powered and doesn't need a 12v connection so can be sat anywhere up on top of the day.

[rocket rod]

A short piece of insulation tube on the valve stem stops them wobbling and making the rims. The best bit is the display is solar powered and doesn't need a 12v connection so can be sat anywhere up on top of the day.I've used rubber stoppers to prevent the rubbing against the rim but it looks ugly and I've had 2 sensors fall off, hence converting to the internal type. I've ordered these 6 TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Caravan Truck RV Sensor LCD 4WD Wireless 4x4 (https://www.digoptions.com.au/6-tpms-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-caravan-tru~194607) to see how they go. In fact they look exactly the same as my current Safe-T-Dave set only internal. Maybe I can pair my existing sensors with the new unit to give me a whole pile of spares?

[Disco Driver]

I've ordered these 6 TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Caravan Truck RV Sensor LCD 4WD Wireless 4x4 (https://www.digoptions.com.au/6-tpms-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-caravan-tru~194607) to see how they go. In fact they look exactly the same as my current Safe-T-Dave set only internal. Maybe I can pair my existing sensors with the new unit to give me a whole pile of spares?

Let us know how you go installing these sensors.
I've currently got the internal Sensatyre kit (on several vehicles - brilliant bit of gear) but after about 6-7yrs they're starting to fail. Probably not impossible to replace battery but would be high risk and time consuming. I've also used the external sensors on another vehicle (Coaster bus) and in this installation they haven't been as successful but it possibly could come down to the installation & location of remote aerial. I would never go down this path again.
The internal sensors are ok except if you have to use tyre fitters, even once told, I've had them break them, or the band clamp. Luckily I do 90% of my own tyre fitting.
I like the look of these valve replacement sensors but have never used them. Very curious to know if they are installed with no problems (and no leaks) and do you know if I could sync them to my Sensatyre receiver? Sensatyre states they operate 433MHz whereas Masten operate on 433.93MHz.
Let us know how you go.
Cheers.

[LRD414]

Rod, I have seen one of these valve replacement sensors sheared off completely. Being solid metal means no give when hit. If you’ve already lost two of the external type I think there’s a good chance you’ll lose one of these too but in that case the whole valve’s gone.

Having said that, the impact was from a rock or root on a tight technical track rather than the open road, so the risk somewhat depends on where you go.

Cheers,
Scott

[Graeme]

Twice on my current TPMS the valve sensors have fallen offMine have lock-nuts.

[rocket rod]

Will report back once I have these sensors installed soon. I'm getting my local tyre shop to do the job as getting the tyre off the rim is impossible for the average Joe. Need to get them balanced as well. My current sensors do have locking grub screws but I chose not to use these (knowing the risk) as I can see one day I'll need to undo them only to fine they are full of sand, lost allen key, rusted on etc. I still needed to stop the rim rubbing issue so internals or steel stems seem to be the best solution. This one has both.

[oka374]

My cheapie set with solar powered display have locknuts and after last years 9k trip through outback Qld and SA and then covering 8k km on this current trip, the majority of which has been rough gravel, dirt, a loop out into the Simpson, Goog's and both the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks I'd never bother with the internal sensors again, these external ones have a locknut and coupled with the piece of pipe insulation to stop them wobbling are all still going fine. Mine is practically identical to this one 2X(Smart Car TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Solar Power charging Digi Y4R8 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2X-Smart-Car-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-Monitoring-System-Solar-Power-charging-Digi-Y4R8/233245561166?epid=11023890424&hash=item364e84d14e:g:T44AAOSwf4lc9FX9)

[Tombie]

a $2.00 piece of 3M clear wrap will protect the rim.
Or change valve stem length.. there are short and long versions, and of course some are more flexible also.

I run externals after trying internals years ago. Wont change back... the convenience of battery replacement, repositioning at tyre changes etc is worth it.

Still have the original set on the lads D2 - now 14 years old and been to hell and back.

[rocket rod]

Well I went with the Masten kit with 6 internal valve sensors 6 TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Caravan Truck RV Sensor LCD 4WD Wireless 4x4 (https://www.digoptions.com.au/6-tpms-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-caravan-tru~194607) and my initial thoughts are;

Pros
Cheap. Unit and 6 sensors, $285 delivered.
Neat install and only cost $100 for 6 tyres at the tyre shop.
They use the same frequency as my old Safe-T-Dave valve based units so I will pair them with my trailer soon (hopefully. I'm sure the kit is made out of the same factory as Dave's one as they look and work exactly the same)
Far more convenient than the external units for deflating. No dropping sensor in sand, no listening to alarm going off in the car etc.
No chance of unit falling off as I've had in the past.
No damage to rim. (I tried all sorts of protection with the external ones but they all wore off)
Power cable from old unit works with the new one so I didn't have to rewire it.

Cons
All sensors read more than actual by about 4 psi. Well at least according to my tyre gauge. I'm OK with that as I only really want it for fast deflation warnings.
More expensive to replace the whole sensor and not just the battery when it goes flat.
Sensors go to sleep overnight so you hear a beep in the morning as the head unit tries to find the tyres. Wakes up pretty quickly once you get going though.
Some have commented that tyres shops break them. My tyre guys says they are so common nowadays everyone knows about them. We'll see I guess.

So, without going off-road yet, or scoring a flat, the internals seem to work as expected. Here's hoping.