Are TPMS questions

[BeerBrewer]

I've been considering getting TPMS system and I can't decide upon what type of sensors to go with (caps, flow through or internal. Is one better than another?

Does the weight of the sensor (cap or flow thru) effect the valve stem? Does the weight of them causing the stem to wear out and leak air?

How often are TPMS sensors stolen?

Are the sensors interchangeable between manufactures? Meaning will a STS sensor work on a Bellacore TPMS for example?

I've also heard that some systems will display the last know good value if the sensors loses connection to the display unit. This seems like a really really dumb feature. The only possible reason for that feature would be to mask communication issues between the sensors and the system. Are there TPMS that don't do this? If so, please do tell! I'd personally rather see something like "sensor lost" than the last know value.

Thanks

[Ron3rd]

wolfe10 wrote:
ANSWERS IN SOLID LETTER CAPS.

BeerBrewer wrote:
I've been considering getting TPMS system and I can't decide upon what type of sensors to go with (caps, flow through or internal. Is one better than another? lOTS OF PROPONENTS FOR EACH. BEING KISS THEORY (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID) I PREFER THE NON-FLOW THROUGH.

Does the weight of the sensor (cap or flow thru) effect the valve stem? Does the weight of them causing the stem to wear out and leak air? ALL THAT SECURE TO THE STEM RECOMMEND METAL VALVE STEMS. UNDER $20 TOTAL PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL (ASSUMING YOU DO NOT ALREADY HAVE METAL VALVE STEMS).

How often are TPMS sensors stolen? NOT HEARD OF IT REPORTED HERE OR ON ANY OF THE RV SITES. GUESS IT COULD HAPPEN, BUT WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY "FENCE" THEM??

Are the sensors interchangeable between manufactures? Meaning will a STS sensor work on a Bellacore TPMS for example? DOUBTFUL. CERTAINLY WOULD NOT COUNT ON IT.

I've also heard that some systems will display the last know good value if the sensors loses connection to the display unit. This seems like a really really dumb feature. The only possible reason for that feature would be to mask communication issues between the sensors and the system. Are there TPMS that don't do this? If so, please do tell! I'd personally rather see something like "sensor lost" than the last know value. AGREE, BAD FEATURE. AGREE. YOU WANT ONE THAT GIVES CURRENT READINGS OR ERROR!

Thanks

Also, suggest an American-based company with at least a few years history so you have some support. This as opposed to the vendor who buys a supply of Chinese products, sells them and moves on to something else.

X2.

[Ron3rd]

Dave5143 wrote:
I have the TST system which relies on valve-mounted sensors, not the flow-through types. Must absolutely use metal valve stems with these. Had to get the repeater to minimize loss of comms at the receiver. Despite these shortcomings it will pay for itself the first time it minimizes serious damage caused by tire blowouts that I didn't know happened back there.

Had the same problem when I went to the 35 ft trailer and bought the repeater.

All new TST systems come with the repeater now standard.

[Ron3rd]

Just my opinion:

Before you buy any external sensor system put metal valve stems on to prevent cracking of the rubber stems. (Don't ask me why I recommend this)

I've got the external sensors with my TST system and they've worked great for close to 8 years now. Only negative I've heard about the flow through sensors is the slow fill rate when adding air.

TST has a big following but there's lots of other good brands out there like Tireminder and others.

[RoyF]

TST also has good customer service: whenever I have had a question, I get a knowlegable person on the line with the answer.

TST offers sensors with replacible batteries -- not sure how many of the other brands have this.

Before TST, I used a different brand. It reported a false alert almost every day of travel. I switched to TST in 2012 and have not had a single false alert since.

[rdhetrick]

I've got the TireMinder system. It works well. What's impressed me with them is the customer support and service. I've had mine about 4 years. After two years of owning it, I switched rigs and was having trouble pickup up the toad sensors. A phone call to TireMinder and they promptly sent me their new style booster. Problem solved. About 4 weeks ago, I had the main unit start acting weird, it would randomly shut itself off after 5 or 10 minutes. Another call to them and they sent me a new main unit. That's after having it for 4 years!

I can't compare it to any of the others since I haven't owned them, but with customer service like that, I'll stick with them.

[fj12ryder]

I have the TST system and it works very well. As was mentioned there is pretty long lag time between when the monitor loses contact with a sensor, and when it notifies you that it has lost contact, an hour is about right.

I have the flow through sensors on steel valve stems and if I had it to do over, I would opt for the regular sensors. The flow through are a real PIA, as they restrict the air flow so much it takes a long time to add more than a couple of PSI. I unscrew them rather than use the flow through design. Steel stems are a must IMO.

[RCMAN46]

BeerBrewer wrote:


I've also heard that some systems will display the last know good value if the sensors loses connection to the display unit.

Thanks

Most if not all sensors send data about every 5 minutes. This is to conserve battery power and extend battery life. Some systems require that several lost cycles before the sensor is declared loss of signal. My TST system will not report a lost sensor for about one hour. I had a Pressure Pro system that would report a lost signal in about 15 minutes.

Now most if not all systems will transmit a loss of pressure or other exceptions from normal parameters (Pressure and temperature) within about 10 seconds.

[Dave5143]

I have the TST system which relies on valve-mounted sensors, not the flow-through types. Must absolutely use metal valve stems with these. Had to get the repeater to minimize loss of comms at the receiver. Despite these shortcomings it will pay for itself the first time it minimizes serious damage caused by tire blowouts that I didn't know happened back there.

[wolfe10]

ANSWERS IN SOLID LETTER CAPS.

BeerBrewer wrote:
I've been considering getting TPMS system and I can't decide upon what type of sensors to go with (caps, flow through or internal. Is one better than another? lOTS OF PROPONENTS FOR EACH. BEING KISS THEORY (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID) I PREFER THE NON-FLOW THROUGH.

Does the weight of the sensor (cap or flow thru) effect the valve stem? Does the weight of them causing the stem to wear out and leak air? ALL THAT SECURE TO THE STEM RECOMMEND METAL VALVE STEMS. UNDER $20 TOTAL PLUS LABOR TO INSTALL (ASSUMING YOU DO NOT ALREADY HAVE METAL VALVE STEMS).

How often are TPMS sensors stolen? NOT HEARD OF IT REPORTED HERE OR ON ANY OF THE RV SITES. GUESS IT COULD HAPPEN, BUT WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY "FENCE" THEM??

Are the sensors interchangeable between manufactures? Meaning will a STS sensor work on a Bellacore TPMS for example? DOUBTFUL. CERTAINLY WOULD NOT COUNT ON IT.

I've also heard that some systems will display the last know good value if the sensors loses connection to the display unit. This seems like a really really dumb feature. The only possible reason for that feature would be to mask communication issues between the sensors and the system. Are there TPMS that don't do this? If so, please do tell! I'd personally rather see something like "sensor lost" than the last know value. AGREE, BAD FEATURE. AGREE. YOU WANT ONE THAT GIVES CURRENT READINGS OR ERROR!

Thanks

Also, suggest an American-based company with at least a few years history so you have some support. This as opposed to the vendor who buys a supply of Chinese products, sells them and moves on to something else.