Tyre Pressure Monitors

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 07:06
ThreadID: 77509 Views:5677 Replies:7 FollowUps:8
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I have seen previous threads about experiences with tyre pressure monitors. These were mostly negative with people reporting problems with battery clips and caps etc.

I have been thinking about buying a system which would need to be able to handle 6 sensors at least and have trolled the web looking at what is around.

Can forumites report if they have bought a unit which has worked well from delivery, have not failed after having been used on rough roads. What brand and type?

Cheers
alastair
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Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 07:10

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 07:10
Sensa Trye unit with the internal clamp type sensors. Haven't broken it yet and it's done a lot of very rough work. I have just bought the 6 to 14 sensor model for the new beast with 8 sensors. There is a 6 sensor car kit (4 + 2 spares) ($630 or thereabouts) and a 6 sensor towing kit which has additional sensors for a trailer, caravan etc ($830). I am using 8 sensors.

Cheers Mick
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 12:02

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 12:02
Hi Mick

From my research last year, Sensa Tyre internal was the best system to buy. Does it transmit well from your trailer? Sound in Motion quoted on a system where they have an additional receiver for the caravan placed on the caravan then hard wired to the monitor. This was to avoid and transmission problems with larger rigs.

We haven't purchased yet, and only had one blow out last year (caravan tyres were originals from the F250 and are over six years old). It was impossible to tell as the caravan rode true, then we had to travel a few kilometres before being able to get off the road. No damage to the rim.

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Follow Up By: Mick O - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 14:51

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 14:51
Hi MH,

Yes I think I responded to a post of yours last year on this topic. I’ve run both types. I have a set of Tyre dogs that I had issues with last year and I currently run a four tyre internal sensor on the Patrol. The Sensatyre haven’t missed a beat and they are the older centrifugal activated type sensors. The new ones are pressure activated at 5 psi or greater.

I have bought the trailer sensor kit which allows for a remote antenna on the trailer or caravan. The kit comes with all the leads and remotes you’d need. I’ll be installing it before the trip so will provide some feedback later in the year.

The importers of Tyre Dog replaced the kit for me due to last years sensor issues. They’ve also provided me with a remote aerial for the back of the vehicle. Scott and Gaby will be trialing this set-up on the Troopy for the harder desert crossings.

Of the two, my preference is SensaTyre and with an internal sensor, particularly if you’re heading off the beaten track or rough outback roads. I’ve found the screw on sensors (Tyre dog) don’t like corrugations at all.

Cheers Mick



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Reply By: WayneD - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 09:54

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 09:54
I have used the Tyre Dog for the last couple of years and they have done some pretty rough off road tracks. I have not had any issues at all. I swap the sensors from my on road to off road tyres and it is as simple as screwing off one valve stem and placing on the other. I dont use the cigarette plug power lead, just internal batteries and they have lasted 2 years so far.
The other advantage is that if you happen to get a puncture, you can quickly change the sensor to the spare.
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Follow Up By: Member - Barry (NT) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 16:17

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 16:17
agree with Wayne D
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Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 09:55

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 09:55
Hi Alastair, We tow a dual axle van & have a Jette 400C monitoring system & run eight sensors all told. We do not venture off the black top & are more than happy with the set up. We purchased it from Derek of ABR sidewinder & were happy with the price & his excellent service.

The system works well for us, is easy to set up & maintain & most importantly gives us peace of mind when travelling.

My understanding off TPM's is that people who do off road work in sometimes harsh conditions require something more sophisticated so a system that suits me might not suit you. Have a look at thread # 69889 for some other comments as well. Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 12:14

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 12:14
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be FoundG'day Alastair

No matter what brand of tyre sensor you choose to purchase, it will go a long way towards giving you peace of mind in regards to the tyres you have running on the road, especially if you tow a caravan, on or off road.

The Sensa Tyre unit is quite good but can be a real mongrel to set up and if you actually decrease tyre pressures for sand driving, all your pre set data is out of wack ~ so a reset is needed, or you need very broard parameters in your settings for very low to high pressures.

I used the Sensa Tyre units for several years and during there use~life span~ the unit suffered two dead internal sensors, these sensors have a sealed internal battery, so the wheel sensor needs to be discarded, this means a full tyre strip off the rim.

I also had the requirement to fit an inner tube to one particular tyre that had a carcase fracture(s) between the tread blocks, this made the internal sensor usless as it could not be used with an inner tubed tyre. The tyre was used with the inner tube for a further 4 months, until fitting the BFG's.

I now use the Tyredog Sensor units ~ these are valve stem sensors and do not require dismounting tyres to fit. The display screen is small enough to be mounted on the face of the interior rear view mirror and can be used with it's internal battery supply or it can be hard wired via a 12volt power outlet.

I run a six sensor set up, which means I can not add extra sensors as the display read out is fixed on sensor numbers : eg 4 - 6 - 8 - 10 etc which increases the display screen size to a degree.

The Tyredog unit has already saved one Desert Dueler AT 693 by showing a small decrease in pressure ~ before possibly destroying the tyre. I run Desert Duelers AT's on ~ highway and BF Goodrich mud terrains ~ off road, but use only one set of sensors and display screen, this can not be done if using the Sensa Tyre system.

I also run a seperate 4 sensor unit for my caravan.

I have no affiliation to Tyredog or any of it's suppliers ~ the Tyredog system is simple to set up and accurate, just a good device really.
AnswerID: 411936

Reply By: RobAck - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 18:38

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 18:38
We run the Schraeder system which is now a Toyota approved accessory and ours can handle up to six tyres. So works really well if you don't tow.

But we have started testing a Hannibal system that can cope with up to 14 senders as we are hooking up an Ultimate Xtrak shortly and want to be able to manage six tyres on the Prado and four on the camper trailer. Testing to date is excellent and we have fitted an exta antenna at the back of the car to ensure we get the best possible signal from the camper trailer

Both systems use internal sensors as we have found the external ones a touch vulnerable in rocky country

Regards

RobA
AnswerID: 412006

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 19:21

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 19:21
I have a Kysonics setup which has 8 sensors and a relay transmitter from the van.

On my previous van I had trouble with the L/H sensors not being received by the display. Too much metal between them.

The relay fixed that.


Just be aware that most sensors are motion activated and therefore spare tyres may not show up due to their static position.

Thats what I found anyway.

Mine cost $500 all up imported from China

Batteries can be a downer Went to a jeweller to buy some for mine

Lithium $15 each thanks but no thanks

Got on Ebay and got them for $1.50 each posted from USA

Just be aware.

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Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:05

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:05
Thanks everyone for the replies.

I am inclined towards the internal sensors as most problems seem to be with the valve stem screw on units. Also concerned that the external units will be a pain when changing tyre pressures regularly.

cheers
alastair
AnswerID: 412228

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:44

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:44
You are referring to pumping up and letting down BUT

Any unit is a pain if changing regularly as to be effective you need to have the low warning at about 10lb below normal.

That means if you drop pressures below that for sand the warning will go off constantly.

So each time you change pressures you will have to reset warning pressures.

Sad but true.

Been there tried that
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Follow Up By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:58

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 08:58
Hi Graham,

I would really like to have pressure sensors on my tyres and have been looking for a suitable brand for some time. The issues that concern me is reliability and ease of resetting warning pressure when changing tyre pressures to track conditions.

On the reliability point I consider the internal type to be more desirable.
On the resetting point I did find a brand earlier which appeared easy to reset but now cannot locate that reference. How easy are yours to reset?

In general, the internet published information is big on performance rhetoric but little on resetting warning pressures.

I would like to look more closely at the brand you referenced (Kysonics) but come up with a blank when I Google it. Is it perhaps mis-spelled? Where did you purchase yours?

Thanks mate.
Allan

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 09:35

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 09:35
look here


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZpHHLZQm_g

or www.kysonix.net

Havent had a look at that link but the biggest problem with van ones is the amount of metal between the wheels and the receiver in the car. I have a little receiver/sender in the front of the van which sends a better signal to the car.

They all basically work the same. I have given up putting the security caps on my senders so is no prob to undo them to change pressures


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Follow Up By: KyleF250 - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 20:25

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 20:25
I've got sensa tyre 14 monitor system ,8 rims have internal band strap and 4 rims on my enclosed car trailer have internal valve stems. works very well displays psi and temp. got it when i bought Hannibal rooftop tent
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Reply By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 09:26

Friday, Apr 09, 2010 at 09:26
Now HERE'S an interesting concept. NO BATTERIES !!

They reference "SAW" technology (Surface Acoustic Wave) which is also used in the transponders for toll registering. There would be some electronics in the transmitter but relatively simple. Electrical power is provided by the interrogating transmitter so no batteries.

Graham, this would solve your replacement battery concerns but the warning pressures, being pre-set within the transponders would not be able to be readily adjusted. So they would not solve my requirement. Damn!

Cheers
Allan

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