Aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems?

[dyeager535]

Does anyone have any experience with them?

I see there are a couple manufacturers out there, here is one product: https://www.schradertpms.com/en/our-products/schrader-tpms-retrofit-kits

There are others that apparently attach externally to the valve stem, but that seems like a relatively bad idea to me.

I often find myself airing up or down at night, in pretty bad weather, so it would be nice to be able to eliminate the tire pressure checking part, and tire chucks with gauges that never seem to be accurate (although I've seen the same with the pressure checkers too). I already have adjustable bleeders that seem to be pretty consistent, but I worry one time as I'm waiting I'll come out to find a tire completely flattened. If I could watch pressure as they bleed off, that too would be beneficial.

At around $100 on ebay, a bit rich for my blood just to test and find it's garbage, if anyone has seen that or similar in use I'd like to hear about it.

 

[Wes Harden]

got one on my coach I don't care for it. the sensors screw on to the stems, they have cover to keep peps from steeling them, pita to remove to add air. since there are 6 on a 32 foot class A, the right rear usually has 1 or 2 that don't report to the monitor. don't recall the brand atm will look it up if needed.

 

[dyeager535]

Functionally how does it work? Reliable? Seem to be accurate? How long have you had it? Hopefully no stupid un-changeable low tire pressure audible warnings either. I couldn't easily find a copy of the user manual for the one I linked.

Hadn't considered the aspect of being hard to work with, but I don't think I'd want the "external" style, the setup I linked to appears to be more like an OEM application at least in terms of how the sensors mount, inside the tire attached to the valve stem.

 

[Wes Harden]

It seems to be accurate, iirc was purchased in 2013. It has 10 sensors so I could use on a trailer, the trailer is to far away. The head displays 1 tire at time in sequence.

 

[LeoneSM]

I don't have experience with the kit linked, but I typically use Schrader sensors when replacing. They manufacture the majority of the OEM sensors. I didn't see details, but I'm assuming that the tpms sensors come already programmed with an ID and linked to the display. You might need a shop with a programmer to learn the positions on the vehicle. Schrader also has their 33500 EZ sensor that can be had for about $23/ea and programmed easily if you ever had to replace them.

 

[dyeager535]

I can't find the exact user manual for the wireless one, but they apparently have two of these (or had) one hardwired for power and one solar powered (with aa battery backup). The sensors used are 29015. Claimed 10yr life of the sensor batteries.

From what I read of the hardwired one, the unit learns and can be programmed itself. For ~$125, this as a complete set doesn't seem ridiculous (four sensors included). Apparently you don't need anything else. Programmable for desired tire pressure, measures tire temp as well. Motion activated. Will do a spare too.

Only negative I see is that from the chart in the owners manual, the lowest it can be set/be aired down, to not trigger an audio and visual alarm is 19PSI.

I like the fact that they used a not-tricked out vehicle (torn driver's seat is awesome) in the sale flyer https://www.schradertpms.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/RFK sell sheet-NA-2020[13][1].pdf

 

[Wes Harden]

I believe the 10 year life span. I deal with oem tpms every day many mfg. and 9 10 years is average, odd 1 or 2 that didn't make 3 or 4 years. Most are damaged when the tire is removed\installed. Not so much anymore, people have learned.

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