Using a tyredog system

[homeless]

Not sure if this would be of interest to many members but this is a brief summary using a tyredog system on my motor home.

I have purchased an 8 station Tyredog system (similar to this one http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TYREDOG-8-WH ... 4ac275e613 ). I bought mine from a dealer in Melbourne in Jan this year.

tyredog units.jpg

The senders and the receiver all work from batteries so no wiring required. The only wiring needed is the display uses a 12v cigarette plug similar to all other displays we have in our rigs.

I bought 8 senders but it can take up to 32.

At the moment I have one sender on each of the bus tyres and the trailer tyres. The senders can be added at any time and the receiver can be re programmed to accept more as required. I will need two more when I get my tandem trailer.

There are many set configurations and you select an option that matches your rig.

Tyredog display.jpg

The system allows you to set each axle with a different high and low pressure and temperature. So you can have different pressures for front to drive tyres, but all tyres on an axle have the same settings.

The trailer has completely different settings to the bus.

The display unit (about the size of a small GPS) displays the readings for each tyre updating continuously. If a tyre goes outside of the range set then an alarm is sounded.

You have to press a button to display Temperature, but for me it is useless as it shows the cap temp not the tyre. You can get internal senders that glue to the rim and they would show better temperatures

Each tyre has a sender screwed to the teat similar to a cap and perhaps should have had the tyres balanced but at the moment all seems OK.

For the trailer I bought metal teats from a motor cycle shop and had them installed at the local tyre shop. I think from memory the teats cost $7.50 each and I had them installed and the tyres balanced with the senders for $10. The metal teats can be bought in all styles from straight (the ones I bought) to 90 degrees. This stops the cap from floating when the tyre rotates as I was worried it might eventually tear the rubber teat out.

The display tells you when the receiver is reading each tyre sender as it displays a black solid symbol where if the sender is not working it has no fill just an outline so you know when a sender is not working (receiving). See graphic of receiver unit above.

I have the receiver on the floor alongside my driver seat even though it suppose to be positioned under the floor but it appears to be working OK and has no problem receiving the signal from the trailer.

I found one of my batteries was faulty on a sender and I had to keep reseating but it would drop out after a while but a new battery has solved the problem. I found the batteries on ebay and bought 10 spare for 99c delivered for 5. Type in “5pcs CR1632 CR 1632 3V Lithium Coin Cell Button Battery Batteries” and you should find them.

I am happy with the performance of my unit and it is easy to keep a watch as you drive along. It is interesting to see the inside tyres on the duals gain pressure quicker and go higher than the outers LOL.

I have no connection with anyone selling these units just that I consider them a good investment as when I lost a tyre on the trailer and did not know, it cost me nearly as much to replace the wheel (had to get two to match) as well as two new tyres to get heavier weight loading.

Regards
Brian

[Kelvin12]

Good job, anything that helps to monitor what's going on has to be a boon.

Good report, thanks for going to the trouble.

Dirk

[esros]

I hope you are happier than I am with my 'tyreguard'! The batteries only last 12 months - and they are only available in the battery shop and then they are in short supply - 1635s - so to renew the batteries, I can only do the front 2 and the spare as the dual wheels have to come off so it's a trip to the tyre shop and it's ok if it's time to rotate the tyres at 10000 kms, I go into the workshop and reset the tyreguard to the appropriate wheel - but haven't done nearly the mileage this year so will still have to get them to take the wheels off for me just to change the batteries - more $$$s!! - also, the extension to access the inside tyre wasn't able to be fitted as the tyreguard cap couldn't fit - and there's no way I can even check the outer tyre due to the way the valve points!! It gave me great confidence, when it was all up and running - but it's a pain in the bum to maintain it! Esme

[Greynomad]

Brian,
What did your kit cost, and from whom?
I've recently shredded a trailer rim, so this type of system has risen up the priority list a bit.
Would I get accurate readings at the end of an 8" valve extension? (Inside rears) I also have 2" 90-deg extensions on the outside rears & 4" extensions on the fronts to accommodate wheel trims with no valve opening ... Trailer would be a direct fit.

[homeless]

Hi Ray

Mine cost $799 for the 8 wheel kit.

I spent $600 after loosing a tyre on the trailer so this could have saved that money.

The units sit on the end of the valve stem (you can get them for inside but that requires the tyres being removed to instal, so you have to have them added so wheel trims may be a problem

I got metal teats on the trailer to stop the teats moving with the weight.

The pressure parts works OK but I don't worry about the temp as it gives the temp of the cap which is useless.

[Cuppa]

G’day Brian,
Am wondering how your tyredog is going after a few months experience with it.
I bought one for the Patrol, just 4 wheels & the smaller colour display. It’s not bad, but I do find it a bit irritating that fairly regularly it fails to pick up one or more of the sensors. Not the same one(s) each time though. Solution is to unscrew the cap(s) on the offending sensor(s), remove the battery(ies) & put it/them back in, then all is fine again. Have you had any issues like this? I have replaced all the batteries that were supplied with the unit, thinking that may be the issue, but it made no difference...... I think it is the design of the battery holder in the sensors. Works fine, just a bit irritating.

Ps. After 18 years here we are moving next week, near to Ballarat. Once we’re up there I’ll let you know our new address. (& anyone else who wants it). We are downsizing to 2.5 acres & closer to town.

regards
Cuppa

[BruceS]

Ballarat? Brrrr!!
Sometimes I used to catch 20 winks on top of Woodies cutting near Ballarat but usually the freezing cold woke me up too early!!!
I guess since you originally came from "over there" (Blighty) you still have ice in the veins?
When is moving day Cuppa?

Esme I'm sure you could easily get a few of us to rip off your wheels for you ............ probably only cost a pavlova or two!!
Brian would be happy with a foot massage or two.......... Pav much too rich for his blood!!!

[Cuppa]

Ballarat? Brrrr!!

Yeah, that’s what most people say! It’s hard to believe that anywhere in Australia could be colder than here on top of our mountain during the winter though. Even if does get as cold, it won’t have the same wind chill factor as here! So despite what everyone says we are moving to Ballarat for it’s 'relatively balmy mediterranean climate’!!! Moving day is a week on Wednesday - the 12th.

[Wilbor]

It is interesting to see the inside tyres on the duals gain pressure quicker and go higher than the outers LOL.

That's a bit interesting. The only time I have lost tyres they have been inside on the duals

[Mrcoolabah1au]

Good luck with the move hope all goes well with the move as bruce aid brrrrr