Thread: Internal TPMS

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

I don’t understand. Are you saying you air up and down and measure the pressure by putting the sensor on? Why not just use a tyre gauge to get it to the correct pressure and then put the sensor on, once??

Once I adjust pressure, either down using my ARB tyre deflator or up using a compressor, I screw the sensor back on, just like a valve cap, and my TPMS automatically senses the new pressure.

Sorry it wasn’t clear.

cheers

By the way, I have internal sensors on my BMW bike and they are a PITA once the battery dies. Have to buy new ones at a ridiculous cost AND have them fitted.

Originally Posted by BMKal

I have been running the "Sensatyre" TPMS system with internal monitors / transmitters since shortly after I bought the vehicle. I have 5 sensors fitted, and monitor all wheels including the spare. The type of sensors / transmitters are those that are secured to the centre of the wheel rim by a stainless steel "bandit" type strip around the centre of the rim. I have positioned the sensors directly in line with the valves so that I can tell tyre fitters what to look out for and where they are located.

The system I have included a "booster" receiver / transmitter which could be mounted under the rear of the vehicle to pick up and relay the signal from additional sensors on a trailer / caravan. The monitor unit allows for additional wheels - can't remember how many, but enough to cover any tandem axle caravan plus spares. I have never installed this booster nor any additional sensors.

I have always found the system to be very reliable, giving good, repeatable pressure values (and temperatures) for all wheels (pressures regularly checked against a good quality pressure gauge). You can program in alarm parameters for hi/lo pressure or temp, and the unit will give you plenty of warning if you venture outside of the set-points you have entered. Rotating tyres is pretty easily accommodated for - you can change the "position" of each sensor on the monitor quite easily. I have hard wired the monitor to power with ignition, so it comes on as soon as I start the vehicle. Battery life in the sensors has honestly been far greater than I expected (and supplier claimed). This system has been installed in my vehicle for 11 years, and I am only now losing signals as the batteries die. I still have 2 out of the original 5 working - but it is now only a matter of time.

I purchased the system originally from "Landybitz" - a vendor on this site. Checking his website, he no longer carries / sells this system. The current supplier is a company called "Remote Travel products" in Queensland. Their website is pretty crappy - SensaTyre – The most reliable tyre pressure monitoring system - but I got a better response by emailing a Peter Spowart at mailto:sales@remotetravel.com.au

Unfortunately, I cannot replace the batteries in the sensors / transmitters, but have to purchase new units and install them in the wheels. The quoted price for each unit is $80 though he has offered them to me for $70 as a returning customer. This is still $350 for me to replace all 5 sensors, and continue using a monitor which is a bit "agricultural" in appearance compared to others on the market today.

I have decided not to continue with this system, even though I really have not been able to fault it in the 11 years I have been using it. I placed an order earlier today for an "iCheck" TPMS which has 5 x external monitors / transmitters which screw on to the valve stem and can be secured (if desired) with locking nuts. I threw away the locking nuts on the cheap eBay TPMS on the wife's Camry a long time ago, and have yet to lose a monitor from that car.
The "iCheck" system allows you to program in two different sets of operating pressures / temperatures for front wheels and two for rear wheels. This is an advantage if you regularly "air down" for beach driving or similar - you can set your TPMS to monitor "off road" or "highway" conditions.

iCheckTPMS - Best Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Australia

The set that I have ordered retails at $250 for 5 wheels on their website. I am buying through a mate who is a re-seller in the top end of WA and he has said he will beat this price.

I have the Sensatyre system on my Sprinter Motorhome - it monitors all 7 tyres and I find it great. Agree about the monitor being agricultural - and you can't read it with polarized sunglasses on either but it will beep at you pretty quick if anything goes out of range - either pressure or temp and they are easy to adjust from the screen.

Yes, emailing Peter is the go - he gets back to you pretty quickly. I do run the booster antenna as it was a bit sketchy picking up the back tyres and spare but the vehicle is considerably longer than a 4WD.

I went for internal units as the valve stems are bloody hard to get to on the duals and there's barley enough room for a tyre inflator much less a pressure sensor. They say a battery life claims of 7 years and it seems like this is more than on the money.

There may be better kits around now but this system certainly is robust and reliable from what I've seen.