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Smartire Battery Life

Yahoo Message Number: 86693
What is the experience of members regarding battery life in the tire sensors. I understand that the sensors are still available from Bendix as they use the technology, however the systems themselves are not, save spares from Dickman.

Michael

2008 Allure 31683

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86706
Michael - The tire sensor looks like this: http://muniac.smugmug.com/Maintenance/Inflating-Tires-From-On-Board/i-TwbkphZ/0/M/img_2234-M.jpg I went with Bob Dickman on my replacements and had gotten good service.
The sensor models are a bit tricky to sort out. I called the Bendix technical line and even they weren't sure. Nominal battery life is about 5 years. Sensors go into a partial sleep (reduced transmission rate) when they aren't moving which saves on battery power. Two reduced transmission rates are available for sleeping sensors. Less transmissions means the less the battery gets drained. Longer times between transmissions means the longer one waits for readings when you get ready to roll. Aside from the pressure ranges (high/low) this should be given some consideration. If you want stationary data quicker it comes at the expense of battery life. Once rolling I think both sensors transmit at the same frequency. At least that was the gig a couple of years ago when I bought new sensors. Check with Dickman on these points.
Sensors are color coded (yellow for HP?) too for pressure ranges. Make sure you get the right ones. Good luck.

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86710
Thanks both my tires are 5 years old now, so staring to think about replacing them maybe at the end of the year, and whilst I have the rubber off it will be a good time to change the sensors!!

Michael

2008 Allure 31683

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86715
Quote from: sallylillian1"

> What is the experience of members regarding battery life in the tire sensors. I understand that the sensors are still available from Bendix as they use the technology, however the systems themselves are not, save spares from Dickman.

Michael

2008 Allure 31683

Michael..

If you are thinking about getting new sensors you might want to look at a system by Truck System Technologies TST I have it on my coach and have had no problems. The one big advantage is that they offer a pass thru sensor which enables you to check and fill without removing the sensor. I have dually valves on mine. Another advantage is that you can change batteries. They are just like a watch batteries and available everywhere. Not saying you should change, I just thought I would put it out there.
They allow you to set high and low pressures and read out the PSI and temp for each tire

Dick

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86716
Just my 2 cents. If you have a working SmartTire system installed I would do whatever I could to keep it. My opinion is it's still the best system out there.

The one thing I haven't seen anyone else claim is the ability to compute what the tire pressure should be at the measured temperature inside the tire. The "cold" setting for tires is actually at 65 degrees F. As the temp raises the pressure will also raise. If you set your pressures at 80 degrees the pressure should be higher than the cold setting at 65 degrees. The SmartTire system will tell you, while driving or stationary, if your pressure is too low or high and by how many pounds.
This is the only way to know for sure if you have the correct pressures for the current temps. Just setting them cold does not get the job done correctly.

Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Quote from: richard_cub
> -

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86732
It should be noted that the Dickman site shows the newer sensors. Sensors used with Gen I and the early Gen II systems operated a little different. The sensors did not transmit until the wheels were in motion. Thus the battery life provided service for the life of the tire. The newer sensors are a little larger with a different battery that will provide service for the life of the tire as well. However, there is a difference with the current/newer high pressure sensors. The transmitters are dormant until they are programed/turned on at installation with the tool to match them to the receiver. Once turned on, the transmitters will continously transmit at set intervals and do not depend on any tire motion. The low pressure transmitters used in a towed vehicle will continue to operate with tire motion as before.
Smartire was bought up by Bendix and for some reason Bendix only wanted to promote the system for commercial vehicles and not for RV use. The sensors/transmitters have not been redesigned and operate on the same 433mhz frequency as before. So the sensors/transmitters now being sold by Bendix will work with our existing GenII systems. That is what the folks at Bob Dickman have been procurring as replacements.
The reason I bring this up is I am about to replace all my tires and at the same time, I will replace all the wheel sensors/transmitters. As part of the process, I had a long discussion with Paul at Bob Dickman on the best way to approach process. He is a wealth of knowledge on the Smartire system. I sent him my receiver and he is programming the new sensors to the receiver for position, pressure, slope and at the same time turning on the transmitters from dormancy.
I have had the Smartire system in my towed vehicle since the GenI system was released. When the GenII system came out to accept the two different pressure ranges, I upgraded and installed the high pressure sensors in the coach wheels in Dec 2005 and installed the GenII receiver. The batteries have lasted since then, but most likely will not last another seven years. I have been very pleased with the performance. Not only the pressure monitoring, but the temp monitoring. A dragging brake can really mess up your whole day if not caught in time. The temp monitoring does that.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86700
June, 2012. 8 sensors - $650, inc. shipping, etc. Their website has a product catalog.

Lee

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86701
Lee, Mike wonders if yours is the 2nd generation SmartTire. Mike was told that our batteries on our SmartTire could not be replaced. Thanks, Lee.

Mary F.

06 Inspire 51784

Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Smartire Battery Life

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86702
Thanks Much Lee

Sent from my HTC One™ S on T-Mobile. America's First Nationwide 4G Network.

Re: Smartire Battery Life

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86726
Hi Mary.

2nd generation. I also agree with Barney. PSI will rise 1.8PSI for every 10F increase.

Are you going to the Cody rallies?

Lee