Tyre Pressure Monitor

Meet your first happy user.

I have had external TMPS' for over 5 years, first the S&T brand then one the same as sidewinder. My experience and observation is as follows.

While I am sure the temperature on the internal units is more accurate, the absolute temperature is not as important as the pressure or a rapid temperature change. Driving North or south you will see 5 - 10 degrees different in tyre temps anyway depending on where the sun is. After a while I find I only glance at the TMPS every 30 mins or so, as it beeps when a rapid change or alarm state occurs. I can't think of any reason a tyre would be a little warm ( enough to make a difference for an external unit) other than under inflation and you will get an alarm much sooner based on that.

I only changed because my first unit had non changeable batteries and I though it was a bit rough that 8 new sensors was $640 just because they had flat batteries after 3 years ( verses a claimed 7 on the brochure). I think internals suffer from the same cost problem. A set of new CR1632's is about $12.

Also I have 2 sets of wheels and tyres, it isn't possible to accommodate that in internal units to my knowledge without going broke. Also I never found one that accommodates trailers.

The MV-22 is great for towing. you can enable and disable the trailer display and with the push buttons. It is easy to set for different pressures for say highway, dirt, and off road.

The only downside is that the Sensors could be smaller and less obtrusive. I painted the brass sections black.

sorry, typo. The 8 sensors were about $460 not $640.

Meet your second happy external monitor user,
I have used them for about 5 years now and have just brought a new set for the new tow unit. During the 5 years we had a wheel bearing problem on the camper and it showed a increase in temperature on the monitor. We also have had various flat tyres and every one showed up on the monitor with the alarm and flashing light.
I also have 18 wheels that I change between two vehicles and it is simply a matter of putting the monitor on the required wheel e.g. left front etc.
The batteries do not seem to last as long as the manufacturer states but we keep a supply of them.
Cheers
Graham

I changed from external to internal monitors and they are definitely better
The main thing is to have them regardless of which type as they will save their purchase price multiple times

My TyreDog externals are performing faultlessly.
Have a 6 sensor unit and use the extra 2 when towing a trailer. Fiddly to enable / disable the trailer sensors but can be done.
Easy to set alarm parameters for pressure and temperature. And each axel can be set differently.
Settings are from 0 - 199 psi same with temps.
Temps are more than likely ambient, but if a tyre gets hot it would probably show, pressure is what I keep an eye on.
My tyre teems are longish rubber ones so punched a wad of medium density foam to push over the stem to stop the sensor hitting the rim on the rough stuff.
While on a recent outback trip I also put a strip of 100mph tape on to hold them to the rim, worked a treat they didn't shake to death on the ABH & CSR which is a good product test IMHO.
With road and offroad tyres swapping to the tyre in use is easy and saves a few bucks not needing a 2nd set.
So add me to the list of happy users.

Hi MactrolPod,
Interested to know how you used the foam as a protector
And also the grey duct tape.
Any chance of posting a photo?
Cheers, Ian

I am also very happy with externals.

I started with internals several years ago. Talk about a PITA. You had to take the tyres off to install them. When the tyres were changed one of the units was damaged.

My second set have been great. As Boobook said its not the actual temperature that is important, its the change in temp.

I have just purchased but not yet installed a Steelmate TPMS 8886 system. I have acquired this to get rid of another gizmo (with power requirements) on the dash board. It is monitored by an iPhone app. The superceded iPhone 4 does a whole heap of things previously done by many discrete gizmos. While playing around with the Steelmate, I had initial difficulty with the blue tooth link (nothing unusual) but that seems to be OK now. During testing I rotated the sensors in a lettuce spinner as they only switch on when spinning.

The screw on externals have been everywhere and neither failed nor come adrift. They are so easy to move between tyres, and inflation/deflation of tyres is as easy as if they were valve caps.

Having given the matter quite a lot of thought I reckon a sensor fitted to a 2mm hole drilled through the rim might be the go. The hole could be drilled and sensor fitted with the tyre in place. The hole would be placed in the middle of the rim, diametrically opposite the valve. If anyone makes a squillion from that idea, just remember where you saw it first.

Bob

iijmartin, I can not get the pics to load aaarrrggghhhh

Trying to load a pic from photo bucket....
Cut foam with a 25mm hole saw the host piece with all the holes, the piece on the rim and another on the stem with a bit of 100mph tape to hold it in place.

I guess you don't actually know many people that own them.
I have had tyredog external sensors for since 2007 and they have been fantastic and read one psi low since day one.
Never been damaged offroad, they are ok swimming, and no one has tried to nick them.
CSR twice, Gunbarrel, Anne Beadell, Connie Sue, all over the Kimberley, all through Central Australia, all through the bottom of WA to the border, all through the Pilbara, and recently returned from a Tassie trip in including plenty of off mud rutted tracks, and river crossings.
Highly recommend them...full stop.

Brett.....

I am another happy external tpms user. Have had a four occasions when they have alarmed, two on corrugated roads. I probably would have run the tyres flat and destroyed them if it hadn't been for the tpms. As the tpms costs about the same as a tyre I am way ahead.

Hi Kazz

That is the old Jette 400 system we gave up 5 years ago, Davies Craig are now the Australian distributors.

(http://www.daviescraig.com.au/TyreGuard___iTPMS-TYREGUARD_400_KIT___PART_NUMBER__1015-details.aspx)

Note: We still have boosters in you need one $25.00ea.

Regards

Derek from ABR