Thread: Tyre Pressure Monitoring

Oops.... finally found a thread on this topic. Please feel free to delete my post. Apology.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...-monitors.html

No need to apologize or delete.
You will get fresh current replys.
From what Ive read avoid valve mounted sensors.
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

From what Ive read avoid valve mounted sensors.

In previous threads it was mentioned that they can cause a wear mark on the rim as they move when travelling over rough roads. Can be overcome by using a sleeve of foam or rubber. They are of course cheaper and the internal ones require the tyre to be taken off to fit. The valve ones can of course be stolen too.

Martin

Originally Posted by letherm

In previous threads it was mentioned that they can cause a wear mark on the rim as they move when travelling over rough roads. Can be overcome by using a sleeve of foam or rubber. They are of course cheaper and the internal ones require the tyre to be taken off to fit. The valve ones can of course be stolen too.

Martin

Thanks Andy and Martin. Good info.

I was about to order 2 sets of the TyreDog TD-1000A-X. Purely because it is too simple to install. Guess I'll wait to hear what others might feedback here.

Oh, the other set is for wife's car as she will drive on a flat anytime.

I got a set from Safe-T-Dave (stupid name but...). This is the first set I've bought but I got them because they came standard with 8 sensors as I have a trailer so it covers those tyres including spares as well and they where pretty cheap. They are easy to fit (on the vales) and set up but I haven't put them through any rough terrain yet so I don't know how rugged they are.

I looked into them but gave up as I decided they weren't worth the cost.


Apart from the rim wear problem with the sensors that mount on the valve caps, they are only effective for pressure and not heat. The issue is they are cooled by the passing air as you drive and there is obviously little or no air flow in the valve stem


There are types that are part of the valve stem themselves and they have the sensor hang inside the rim. These work effectively but the way the sensor hangs is susceptible to damage during tyre fitting.


The best type I found are the type that attach to the rim with a stainless steel band. Pressure sensing accuracy is similar across the styles but temp sensing is far better in the types inside the tyre.


Monitoring for flat tyres is one thing but monitoring for correct pressure is far more important IMO. The best indication of correct pressure is not watching for pressure increase but running temp and it's the temp that will kill a tyre.


Happy Days

I like the look of this.
Steelmate TPMS 85 Wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring System TPMS FOR IOS Android | eBay

Let me add our experiences after around 20 years of using and evaluating TPMS

External sensors
1. Most are wheel position relative, that is the LHF if broken can only be replaced with a LHF so you need to carry 4 spares
2. Strength and reliability are relative to cost. If you reckon paying $400 for a set is expensive compare that to the cost of one tyre and rethink the consequences of a failure either towing or not or in the middle of nowhere. We advise clients a good quality TPMS is the cheapest and first thing they should fit to their 4WD
3. Are the prone to damage? Yep seen some pretty low quality sensors that get damaged just driving in the rain. Lots of other factors including; rim offset, valve length amongst others
4. They damage the rim. Seen that and it is directly related in all cases we have looked at to the use of a rubber valve stem and its length. We use short metal versions on our 18 & 19 rims and they work perfectly
5. Accuracy or readings. In my view related to the quality the sensors and system. In regard to temperature we use a laser pyrometer to check wheels, bearings and tyres when travelling and towing and have found with the good quality systems we have used a variation of around 5-7C which is nothing and can be resolves simply by setting your temperature alarm at around 80C
6.We use a six sensor external system from LSM who supply to the mining industry for the last year and have been very pleased with the results and reliability. The unit does not need a range extender to talk to the camper so you save around $600 on that alone.

Internal units
1. Used several different versions and I reckon they are as good as a quality external unit now but used to be pretty much against the external versions based on seeing how badly they performed on client vehicles on our tours.
2. Secured to rim by a stainless band. Quite concerned with these as the ones we had failed with the bands fracturing and causing tyres to puncture. Similar experience with the majority of clients we recommended them to
3. Accuracy of readings. Having collected a lot of data over many years of using TPMS our experience is there is not much difference at all. But this is when using good quality units. We have seen some really weird readings in some cheapie and actually reasonably accurate readings in others. So the lower the price the higher the risk in my view
4. Ones that have the sensor on the inside base of the valve. Never had a problem with my tyre fitters but we made sure they were aware of the system to start with

I hope that contributes positively to this discussion

Rob