Diy External Tire Pressure And Temperature Monitoring System

hyacc · September 14, 2010

Recently got this TPMS which can be fixed(screwed) to the tyre valves externally (most other systems sensors need to be fixed inside). You can set high/low values for pressure and temperature. It's monitor works with 2 AAA batteries or car charger. Sensors can be fitted with or without secure lock. It's normal price is 399.00USD but got it for 170USD(including EMS shipping) directly from Taiwan where it's made on ebay.

Quote
General Features
• Monitors 4 tyres

• Simply Screw on to the Valve stem and lock in place

• Audible / Visual Alerts when tyre pressure drops below / raises above user set level

• Measure Pressure in PSI, KPA, BAR or KgCM

• Alerts when tyre temperature raises above the user set level

• Measure Temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit

• Provide graphic user interface

• Monitoring tyre pressure anytime

• Low Battery Indicator on the display for Monitor and Sensors

• Expands tyre lifespan

• Saves fuel consumption

• Improves safety

• Detects leakage before harm is done

• Easy to install

• High accuracy

• Not affected by bumpy roads

• Allows user preset value

• Detects both under inflation and over inflation of tyre

Edited September 14, 2010 by hyacc

Sifaan · September 14, 2010

hyacc said:
Recently got this TPMS which can be fixed(screwed) to the tyre valves externally (most other systems sensors need to be fixed inside). You can set high/low values for pressure and temperature. It's monitor works with 2 AAA batteries or car charger. Sensors can be fitted with or without secure lock. It's normal price is 399.00USD but got it for 170USD(including EMS shipping) directly from Taiwan where it's made on ebay.

I was thinking about something like this and decided I didn't want to spend so much for a real-time pressure read out (plus didn't want to clutter up the interior) so I got a pressure guage (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160465216351) for 5 pounds + shipping.

Just received it today, and will measure cold pressure tmrw morning to see (warm reading now was 31.5 to 32.5 so I'm low by a few PSI already)

SeanD · September 14, 2010

original post below

Edited September 14, 2010 by SeanD

SeanD · September 14, 2010

repost

Edited September 14, 2010 by SeanD

SeanD · September 14, 2010

Definitely a nice gadget if you've got the budget, but I've gone Sifaans way, I use a small digital gauge I picked up in the USA for about 3 dollars and it gives the same readings as the digital meters at the petrol shed. Does the job.

Incidentally, were there any taxes for this at the post office?

hyacc · September 14, 2010

Sifaan said:
I was thinking about something like this and decided I didn't want to spend so much for a real-time pressure read out (plus didn't want to clutter up the interior) so I got a pressure guage (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160465216351) for 5 pounds + shipping.
Just received it today, and will measure cold pressure tmrw morning to see (warm reading now was 31.5 to 32.5 so I'm low by a few PSI already)

It seems like a good product. Once I got a very cheap chinese digital guage but it was useless as I couldn't get it to fit valve properly and it was leaking so no proper reading.

hyacc · September 14, 2010

SeanD said:
Definitely a nice gadget if you've got the budget, but I've gone Sifaans way, I use a small digital gauge I picked up in the USA for about 3 dollars and it gives the same readings as the digital meters at the petrol shed. Does the job.
Incidentally, were there any taxes for this at the post office?

Taxed 2400/= at EMS center customs since I don't bribe those fellows.

Sifaan · September 14, 2010

SeanD said:
Definitely a nice gadget if you've got the budget, but I've gone Sifaans way, I use a small digital gauge I picked up in the USA for about 3 dollars and it gives the same readings as the digital meters at the petrol shed. Does the job.
Incidentally, were there any taxes for this at the post office?

More like I've gone your way, considering that it was from your post that I found out that such things exist

Sifaan · September 14, 2010

hyacc said:
Taxed 2400/= at EMS center customs since I don't bribe those fellows.

hmmm.. i just tried to look as humble as possible and got a lower valuation (2000) than the actual (3500 for the item, 4000 for EMS) when I got down a pump.

So paid ~40% (effective rates for car parts) on Rs. 2000 instead of on Rs. 7500. no offer or solicitation of a bribe

in your case taxes seem to have been ~12.5%, so not too bad.

btw one of the concerns I had about buying such a system was "what if some bugger nicked the sensors?". I notice your unit has some anti-theft feature... how does that work? is it a pain to take off when you have to pump air?

hyacc · September 14, 2010

Sifaan said:
hmmm.. i just tried to look as humble as possible and got a lower valuation (2000) than the actual (3500 for the item, 4000 for EMS) when I got down a pump.
So paid ~40% (effective rates for car parts) on Rs. 2000 instead of on Rs. 7500. no offer or solicitation of a bribe

in your case taxes seem to have been ~12.5%, so not too bad.

Yes not too bad, also the seller has undervalued it and sent a invoice for 80USD . Once I got a MAF sensor from eBay and it was sent via normal international mail and they asked a bribe which is more than actual tax value

Sifaan said:
btw one of the concerns I had about buying such a system was "what if some bugger nicked the sensors?". I notice your unit has some anti-theft feature... how does that work? is it a pain to take off when you have to pump air?

From their FAQ:

Quote
The Sensors look easy to steal, can they be secured?
Each kit contains a SecureFit fixing ring which once installed will help prevent Sensor theft.

These SecureFit rings are easy to install and the correct tool is supplied in each kit.

Due to the small and compact size of each Sensor, they are not really a target for theft as they look very similar to an ordinary valve cap.

Note: Stolen Sensors cannot be used on any other TYREDOG™ device. Only LEARNABLE Sensors can be programmed.

Edited September 14, 2010 by hyacc

madmax · September 14, 2010

Isn't $500 too much to spend to see if you have a flat tire? The moment you get a flat you'll notice a difference in the way the car drives and handles at zero cost. Sometimes I hate these gizmos that try to make our lifes easier. My car has TPMS and I can't change to aftermarket wheels unless I have TPMS sensors installed on the new wheels, and then the F***ing Run Flats! Who thought that was a brilliant idea?

Sifaan · September 15, 2010

madmax said:
Isn't $500 too much to spend to see if you have a flat tire? The moment you get a flat you'll notice a difference in the way the car drives and handles at zero cost. Sometimes I hate these gizmos that try to make our lifes easier. My car has TPMS and I can't change to aftermarket wheels unless I have TPMS sensors installed on the new wheels

Not sure where this 500$ number came from... but anyway, do you mean to say that you don't use the TPMS to help maintain the recommended pressure?

I just now measured cold pressure and found the readings vary from 31.5 to 34 - 34 is what is recommended and 31.5 is 7% underinflation which I can't detect visually or from handling. 7% is maybe no big deal but I doubt if I could detect at all unless it was about 15% down.

(and air was filled to 34 last night, but from a place that had an analog gauge rather than a digital controller; so either 2 of my tyres are losing air quite fast or the pumping wasn't very accurate to begin with)

Edited September 15, 2010 by Sifaan

VVTi · September 15, 2010

I had my ordinary looking dust caps nicked over the weekend... So these ones will surely attract the Kudda-Attention.

VVTi · September 15, 2010

madmax said:
Isn't $500 too much to spend to see if you have a flat tire? The moment you get a flat you'll notice a difference in the way the car drives and handles at zero cost. Sometimes I hate these gizmos that try to make our lifes easier. My car has TPMS and I can't change to aftermarket wheels unless I have TPMS sensors installed on the new wheels, and then the F***ing Run Flats! Who thought that was a brilliant idea?

True that. Once a week, checking tyre pressure at the same place, same time works out cheaper for me...

xXx · September 15, 2010

madmax said:
Isn't $500 too much to spend to see if you have a flat tire? The moment you get a flat you'll notice a difference in the way the car drives and handles at zero cost. Sometimes I hate these gizmos that try to make our lifes easier. My car has TPMS and I can't change to aftermarket wheels unless I have TPMS sensors installed on the new wheels, and then the F***ing Run Flats! Who thought that was a brilliant idea?

Sorry for saking such a stupid question but what is wrong with run flats? do they require a special wheels/rims?

madmax · September 15, 2010

Sifaan said:
Not sure where this 500$ number came from... but anyway, do you mean to say that you don't use the TPMS to help maintain the recommended pressure?

OP said 300USD + 170USD for shipping didn't he?

VVTi said:
True that. Once a week, checking tyre pressure at the same place, same time works out cheaper for me...

That's my point too.

xXx said:
Sorry for saking such a stupid question but what is wrong with run flats? do they require a special wheels/rims?

The ride is so hard (due to the hard side walls), hit a pothole and it feels like your wheel just broke off. A lot of folks on the forums also say handling is compromised...

Plus if your get a puncture, you have to replace the whole tire - patching up is not recommended. Cars that come with runflats have no spare tire or for that matter no place to keep one. You can drive with a flat - runflat for a certain amount of miles - but when you do that, the sidewalls will start breaking down making the tire no longer usable - that is why manufacturers recommending replacing the tire rather than patching it up....