Simple TPMS for my daughter

[gavinwibrow]

My daughter is not simple (Masters in Environmental Science and pretty practical, but automotives are not her thing).

There have recently been a couple of good threads on TPMS options, and I'm looking for feedback on the smaller systems.
I have Safety Dave which I'm very happy with, but the screen idea wont work for her. She needs one of the KISS ACC/CIG based systems.

Because she drives many country miles with two young daughters I want something small and simple that will alert her when all is not well (over and above the noise of nursery rhymes on the CD or Frozen on the rear DVD)

[Tombie]

Gavin...

eBay...

[Blknight.aus]

The aldi one works well enough as does the supercheap one.

IF you can get all 4 wheels to sync up.

[gavinwibrow]

Gavin...

eBay...

Thanks Mike, but I'm looking for personal experience recommendations after my initial internet research

[DiscoClax]

This one - Solar Power TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System LCD 4 External Sensors 4x4 PSI Diagnostic Tools (https://www.digoptions.com.au/solar-power-tpms-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-l)

Great mob to deal with and it's very idiot resistant. Just bung the unit up on the dash where it'll get a bit of sun and you can see it. Fairly easy to set up. Warnings work well. Unit can be charged via USB if the sun goes out for a (very) long time. Only issue I've found is that the display fades out when the unit gets cooked in the sun. Warnings still work, just can't see the live data... I would recommend this product.

[speleomike]

Hi

I also have the Safety Dave. What do you mean by "the screen idea wont work for her"? The alarm sound is quite loud and would be audible over most music. The kids would certainly hear it.

Mike

[gavinwibrow]

Hi

I also have the Safety Dave. What do you mean by "the screen idea wont work for her"? The alarm sound is quite loud and would be audible over most music. The kids would certainly hear it.

Mike


Hates anything above the dash ie around the windscreen - unlike my car which she says looks like a flight deck version.

I'm going to try this one for starters (swivel head) and see how we go AU 4 Sensor BAR/PSI Ciga rette Lighter Car TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-4-Sensor-BAR-PSI-Ciga-rette-Lighter-Car-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-Monitoring-System/283647105526?epid=2238502435&hash=item420aaf59f6:g:~c8AAOSwSw5drVng)

[Tombie]

Thanks Mike, but I'm looking for personal experience recommendations after my initial internet research

Sorry.

I have this in both vehicles and it runs perfectly.


Car Wireless TPMS Tire Pressure LCD Monitoring System Dual USB +4 Sensors MA1997 | eBay (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0'mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2 F184019646721)

[speleomike]

Ah yes. I understand. Mines on the dash and I have a wire connection down to the cig connector. A bit messy and the wires gets in the way sometimes. Will be interesting what she thinks of it. I saw it at an motoring/caravan show and the screen was small. Will be fine for young persons.


Hates anything above the dash ie around the windscreen - unlike my car which she says looks like a flight deck version.

I'm going to try this one for starters (swivel head) and see how we go AU 4 Sensor BAR/PSI Ciga rette Lighter Car TPMS Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-4-Sensor-BAR-PSI-Ciga-rette-Lighter-Car-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-Monitoring-System/283647105526?epid=2238502435&hash=item420aaf59f6:g:~c8AAOSwSw5drVng)

[DeanoH]

Bought one of these a couple of years ago and it works perfectly. Don't have to rely on the solar charger (which works well out of direct sunlight) as it has a micro usb power input the same as my phone and other devices. Could be console or under dash mounted as the alarm is quite loud.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Wireless-LCD-Car-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-Monitor-System-w-4-External-Sensor/163702516541?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.S EED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3De1f9f 94dad8b4fd194e298ff91cec542%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D 2%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D163899958867%26it m%3D163702516541%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D238005 7&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aecd974a5-10c4-11ea-b44b-74dbd18001cf%7Cparentrq%3Aaae04a0f16e0aad34f9e3f33 ffe59232%7Ciid%3A1


Deano
(https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Wireless-LCD-Car-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-Monitor-System-w-4-External-Sensor/163702516541?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.S EED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3De1f9f 94dad8b4fd194e298ff91cec542%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D 2%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D163899958867%26it m%3D163702516541%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D238005 7&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aecd974a5-10c4-11ea-b44b-74dbd18001cf%7Cparentrq%3Aaae04a0f16e0aad34f9e3f33 ffe59232%7Ciid%3A1)

[16PMark]

I've been looking at some of these TPMS, and I'm interested to know how one is supposed to simply, manually check tyre pressure. They all seem to have an anti theft nut that requires a "spanner" to fit. Ergo, how does one remove the valve caps at the servo to add air if required?? Do I need to faff around with the aforementioned "spanner" just to take the cap off to add some air if required??

[speleomike]

I've been looking at some of these TPMS, and I'm interested to know how one is supposed to simply, manually check tyre pressure. They all seem to have an anti theft nut that requires a "spanner" to fit. Ergo, how does one remove the valve caps at the servo to add air if required?? Do I need to faff around with the aforementioned "spanner" just to take the cap off to add some air if required??

Yes :-(

[Tombie]

I've been looking at some of these TPMS, and I'm interested to know how one is supposed to simply, manually check tyre pressure. They all seem to have an anti theft nut that requires a "spanner" to fit. Ergo, how does one remove the valve caps at the servo to add air if required?? Do I need to faff around with the aforementioned "spanner" just to take the cap off to add some air if required??

Simple.... don’t fit the bloody lock nut.

They aren’t necessary and I’ve never lost one in the 20 years of running TPMS units.

[16PMark]

Simple.... don’t fit the bloody lock nut.

They aren’t necessary and I’ve never lost one in the 20 years of running TPMS units.Fair enough,
but you don't live in Melbourne!
Everything needs to be locked down here!!!

[W&KO]

I've been looking at some of these TPMS, and I'm interested to know how one is supposed to simply, manually check tyre pressure. They all seem to have an anti theft nut that requires a "spanner" to fit. Ergo, how does one remove the valve caps at the servo to add air if required?? Do I need to faff around with the aforementioned "spanner" just to take the cap off to add some air if required??

No need to manually check, that’s why you have fitted the system.

Don’t think my system come with locking screws.

If you’re worried about them around town removed them, than fit before heading in a trip.

Modern tyres don’t seem to need regular top ups.

The price of some of these kits you would just buy kit if it sensors ever get knocked off

I can buy replacement sensors for my system, hate to think how much that are, I suspect one sensor is more than the while system above. Edit, $80ea for replacement sensors.

[AK83]

LOL! locknuts.
Maybe do like I did and get a kit with the same colour sensors as the wheels .. hardly noticeable.

Mine looks like Tombies, but the head unit bit is on the cig lighter stalk part... so one piece unit.
In a D1/D2 with the cig lighter socket down low, you need the adjustable angle head unit to be able to see anything on the display.

Mines been working perfectly for 3.5 years(since I've had the D1) .. and helped me one time when I had a slow leak out in the middle of whoopwhoop.
Heard the beeping(first time) and couldn't work out from where or what. Took me about 30 secs to realise .. rear left at 18psi(from my normal 30ish) .. OH!

Couldnt' be bothered to change tyre in 42°C so pulled up chucked the compressor on, gave it 40psi .. drove for 30 mins .. repeat and rinse 3 times till I got to Wilcannia(from Cobar) .. thinking there'd be a tyre shop to avail myself of their services.
Nup! .. nothing(obvious) .. so kept heading west to Broken Hill .. repeating the 30 mins cycle again.
Not a problem. Warning worked well, checked to confirm actual pressure when at 18psi(alarm setting) .. all good.
Had nothing but goats ... for company at all the roadside stops ... and praise for a $50 cheapo TPMS from China.

Got Dad a dash mounted thingy with a solar doodad to help with power and stuff. Works ok, as in alarms work etc. But the damn head unit is useless with it's solar - battery poweredness.
It's low battery alarm is always going off. I'd say avoid those types for long term use. Can only imagine the useless battery used to maintain power, and why it needs to be on 24/7/365 is anyone's guess(for a normal use vehicle).
Better to have it off with the ign off. The longer they stay on, and connected to the sensors, the quicker the sensors batteries get depleted too(as with dads useless unit).
Sensor batteries are cheap, but a PITA to remove as, for sure, you'd have lost(forgotten where you put) the small spanner tool to pull the sensor apart!

[gavinwibrow]

LOL! locknuts.
Maybe do like I did and get a kit with the same colour sensors as the wheels .. hardly noticeable.

Mine looks like Tombies, but the head unit bit is on the cig lighter stalk part... so one piece unit.
In a D1/D2 with the cig lighter socket down low, you need the adjustable angle head unit to be able to see anything on the display.

Mines been working perfectly for 3.5 years(since I've had the D1) .. and helped me one time when I had a slow leak out in the middle of whoopwhoop.
Heard the beeping(first time) and couldn't work out from where or what. Took me about 30 secs to realise .. rear left at 18psi(from my normal 30ish) .. OH!

Couldnt' be bothered to change tyre in 42°C so pulled up chucked the compressor on, gave it 40psi .. drove for 30 mins .. repeat and rinse 3 times till I got to Wilcannia(from Cobar) .. thinking there'd be a tyre shop to avail myself of their services.
Nup! .. nothing(obvious) .. so kept heading west to Broken Hill .. repeating the 30 mins cycle again.
Not a problem. Warning worked well, checked to confirm actual pressure when at 18psi(alarm setting) .. all good.
Had nothing but goats ... for company at all the roadside stops ... and praise for a $50 cheapo TPMS from China.

Got Dad a dash mounted thingy with a solar doodad to help with power and stuff. Works ok, as in alarms work etc. But the damn head unit is useless with it's solar - battery poweredness.
It's low battery alarm is always going off. I'd say avoid those types for long term use. Can only imagine the useless battery used to maintain power, and why it needs to be on 24/7/365 is anyone's guess(for a normal use vehicle).
Better to have it off with the ign off. The longer they stay on, and connected to the sensors, the quicker the sensors batteries get depleted too(as with dads useless unit).
Sensor batteries are cheap, but a PITA to remove as, for sure, you'd have lost(forgotten where you put) the small spanner tool to pull the sensor apart!


Another comprehensive, useful post - cheers

[16PMark]

Another bit of info I seek, is the distance in which the transmitted valve sensor can be received by the doohickey on the dash. (Just didn't want to say receiver lol.)
Example, brother in law has one of those barn built Silverado things (sigh), and regularly tows his boat all over the joint. Boat trailer is a twin axle job, so a regular 4 sensor TPMS would do, but the the problem is, the bloody truck is over 5mtrs long then add the position of wheels on boat trailer......[emoji102][emoji44]
I'm thinking of getting him one of these kits for the boat trailer, (Xmas pressie) but I can't find any ads that mention the maximum distance of transmission.....
Anyone had any experience with long distances between wheels and the aforementioned doohickey....[emoji848]
Many TA's for help/advice.....
Mark.

[gavinwibrow]

Another bit of info I seek, is the distance in which the transmitted valve sensor can be received by the doohickey on the dash. (Just didn't want to say receiver lol.)
Example, brother in law has one of those barn built Silverado things (sigh), and regularly tows his boat all over the joint. Boat trailer is a twin axle job, so a regular 4 sensor TPMS would do, but the the problem is, the bloody truck is over 5mtrs long then add the position of wheels on boat trailer......[emoji102][emoji44]
I'm thinking of getting him one of these kits for the boat trailer, (Xmas pressie) but I can't find any ads that mention the maximum distance of transmission.....
Anyone had any experience with long distances between wheels and the aforementioned doohickey....[emoji848]
Many TA's for help/advice.....
Mark.


Good question.
Not what you are asking about I know (and I'd be interested in the answer as well ie use two cheap sets, one for the car wheels and one for the trailer if the range is good enough to reach the full distance), but Safety Dave sells a plug in booster unit to go with his 8 or more wheel version. I've not needed it yet with my caravan set-up, but mine is only a D4 and 20 footer van, albeit with a long drawbar.

[16PMark]

Heya Gavin, have just found and purchased this...
Claims a range over 25mtrs (cough, maybe) but seems Aussie backed, and probly worth it for a Chrissy pressie.....
Shall see what eventuates...
Car/4WD Solar Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - TPMS (https://obd2australia.com.au/product/car-solar-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-4-external-sensors/)

[gavinwibrow]

Heya Gavin, have just found and purchased this...
Claims a range over 25mtrs (cough, maybe) but seems Aussie backed, and probly worth it for a Chrissy pressie.....
Shall see what eventuates...
Car/4WD Solar Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - TPMS (https://obd2australia.com.au/product/car-solar-tyre-pressure-monitoring-system-4-external-sensors/)


Well done. And I note they have a 6 sensor version (albeit at $165) which would be perfect for single axle trailers as a stand alone (don't need 2 sets) or a van with 2 spares? - but is currently on back order.