I just purchased my system, including some cap sensors for my towed vehicle, and flow-through sensors for the motorhome. The cap sensors seem to have changed from this design, based on the ones that I just received. For my cap sensors, they now have a locking nut that goes onto the valve stem underneath the sensor, and then you use the wrench to tighten them up against the sensor. The cap sensor itself seems to be just hand-tightened. It works fine this way- just a slightly different procedure than the video shows, because of the different construction.
I am upgrading the flow through sensors after 6 years of use on my G rated 5th wheel tires. (One sensor completely failed. The plastic collar around the brass threads literally broke apart in my hand as I was removing it from the tire). They lasted six years and 4 battery changes, but are showing signs of getting brittle. I think I'm going to try the cap sensors this time. One thing I noticed about the flow through sensors; there seem to be a very very slight loss of pressure in between trips, and although I check tires before every trip, I always seemed to have to add 5-10lbs PSI every 2-3 months...from the day I first put them on. I hypothesised, that possibly by design, there could be a very slight air bleed on the flow through sensor. I'm hoping the cap sensors might behave more like valve caps on a stem and hold pressure a little better. I guess we'll see.
Update to rubber valve stems in 2022: I have cap sensors on my 5th wheel with rubber valve stems. One of the valve stems failed, it literally tore the valve stem down by the wheel. I upgraded them all to metal valve stems. Hopefully this will solve that issue.
One important thing you should do is have all your valve stems changed to metal ones. I learned that when I had a low pressure alarm go off at 70mph. I safely got off the road and called AAA-Plus. Tire hanged and drove to a Goodyear tire store and was told the TPM caused the rubber valve stem to fail. Had all 5 tires changed to metal and no more vorries
Hi Loyd, I am glad everything worked out for you and everything is ok. It is recommended to use metal valve stems with the flow thru sensors for sure. The cap sensors are good on the rubber valve stems. Safe Travels.. Eric
@@Technorv I have the cap sensors and my failed valve stem was soft where it failed. That was my second failure but didn't associate the first as a problem with sensors
I have rubber valve stems and had one fail on our last trip with the cap sensor so I would say that you should have steel valve stems regardless of sensor type.
Paul, I hate to hear that your valve stem failed. In a perfect world, all valve stems would be rigid/metal, but most tires with a PSI of around 80 or lower are usually given rubber or rubber/metal hybrid stems. The cap sensors are actually designed to operate on those type sensors, and we rarely hear of them failing on rubber valve stems. That being said, I completely understand you changing to metal after having a rubber stem fail. Thanks for sharing the tip!
How much clearance does the cap sensor need between the end of the valve stem and the sensor? My stems are somewhat 'buried' inside the hub caps and it looks like the sensors might not "reach" the stem...
When you add air to a flow thru sensor, the new PSI will show on the monitor after you add it. If you add air using a cap sensor, the new PSI will show on the monitor after you place the cap sensor back on the valve stem. There is no need to recalibrate anything as long as you are still running with the same cold tire pressure and were only adding air to get the tire pressure back up to the correct PSI. If you are adding air because you are changing your cold tire pressure due to say increased weight, then you would want to change your low and high parameters to reflect 10% below and 20-25% above the new cold tire pressure. I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, just let us know. Safe travels!
Personally, I don't want to mess with the anti-theft tool, etc.. It's hard for me to imagine, in my typical parking situation that there is much danger of having there sensors stolen. Naive? Can I remove the anti-theft encasing and just use the screw on valve?
Yes, you can remove it and then it will just finger tighten without any tools. We do that for our Jeep tires since we like to off road and don't want to have to worry about having the tool with us when we need to remove them. We have another video showing how to remove the outer cap that spins which allows you to use it without the tool. They will no longer be theft resistant, but if you feel comfy with that, it is much easier to use without. Safe travels!
I just purchased my system, including some cap sensors for my towed vehicle, and flow-through sensors for the motorhome. The cap sensors seem to have changed from this design, based on the ones that I just received. For my cap sensors, they now have a locking nut that goes onto the valve stem underneath the sensor, and then you use the wrench to tighten them up against the sensor. The cap sensor itself seems to be just hand-tightened. It works fine this way- just a slightly different procedure than the video shows, because of the different construction.
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I am upgrading the flow through sensors after 6 years of use on my G rated 5th wheel tires. (One sensor completely failed. The plastic collar around the brass threads literally broke apart in my hand as I was removing it from the tire). They lasted six years and 4 battery changes, but are showing signs of getting brittle. I think I'm going to try the cap sensors this time. One thing I noticed about the flow through sensors; there seem to be a very very slight loss of pressure in between trips, and although I check tires before every trip, I always seemed to have to add 5-10lbs PSI every 2-3 months...from the day I first put them on. I hypothesised, that possibly by design, there could be a very slight air bleed on the flow through sensor. I'm hoping the cap sensors might behave more like valve caps on a stem and hold pressure a little better. I guess we'll see.
Just put in our order for a new Grand Design Solitude, and these will be my first upgrade. Excellent information, thank you from us "Newbies"
Update to rubber valve stems in 2022: I have cap sensors on my 5th wheel with rubber valve stems. One of the valve stems failed, it literally tore the valve stem down by the wheel. I upgraded them all to metal valve stems. Hopefully this will solve that issue.
One important thing you should do is have all your valve stems changed to metal ones. I learned that when I had a low pressure alarm go off at 70mph. I safely got off the road and called AAA-Plus. Tire hanged and drove to a Goodyear tire store and was told the TPM caused the rubber valve stem to fail. Had all 5 tires changed to metal and no more vorries
Hi Loyd,
I am glad everything worked out for you and everything is ok. It is recommended to use metal valve stems with the flow thru sensors for sure. The cap sensors are good on the rubber valve stems.
Safe Travels..
Eric
@@Technorv I have the cap sensors and my failed valve stem was soft where it failed. That was my second failure but didn't associate the first as a problem with sensors
I have rubber valve stems and had one fail on our last trip with the cap sensor so I would say that you should have steel valve stems regardless of sensor type.
Paul, I hate to hear that your valve stem failed. In a perfect world, all valve stems would be rigid/metal, but most tires with a PSI of around 80 or lower are usually given rubber or rubber/metal hybrid stems. The cap sensors are actually designed to operate on those type sensors, and we rarely hear of them failing on rubber valve stems. That being said, I completely understand you changing to metal after having a rubber stem fail. Thanks for sharing the tip!
How much clearance does the cap sensor need between the end of the valve stem and the sensor? My stems are somewhat 'buried' inside the hub caps and it looks like the sensors might not "reach" the stem...
The cap sensor is 1-inch long, so if your valve stem is buried and you don't have a lot of room to work with, you may need to get a valve extender.
You appear to have an Amazon store now. Do you? I mean, if I purchase off of Amazon is it legit?
Hi Billy, yes we do! You can purchase on Amazon or directly off our site.
Is a flow thru hard to get to on dual tires?
If you can access the valve stem, it's not hard at all. Some people need extensions, but that is fine too.
is re calibration required whenever air is added to to a tire?
When you add air to a flow thru sensor, the new PSI will show on the monitor after you add it. If you add air using a cap sensor, the new PSI will show on the monitor after you place the cap sensor back on the valve stem. There is no need to recalibrate anything as long as you are still running with the same cold tire pressure and were only adding air to get the tire pressure back up to the correct PSI. If you are adding air because you are changing your cold tire pressure due to say increased weight, then you would want to change your low and high parameters to reflect 10% below and 20-25% above the new cold tire pressure. I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, just let us know. Safe travels!
Do you know if these are a direct or indirect type TPMS?
I'm not sure what you mean by direct or indirect TPMS. Can you explain so I can answer correctly? Thanks!
Is the cap type weatherproof without the anti-theft cap on?
Yes, it is. The anti-theft cap is only there for the security. The sensor is waterproof even when you remove it.
TechnoRV thanks!
Personally, I don't want to mess with the anti-theft tool, etc.. It's hard for me to imagine, in my typical parking situation that there is much danger of having there sensors stolen. Naive?
Can I remove the anti-theft encasing and just use the screw on valve?
Yes, you can remove it and then it will just finger tighten without any tools. We do that for our Jeep tires since we like to off road and don't want to have to worry about having the tool with us when we need to remove them. We have another video showing how to remove the outer cap that spins which allows you to use it without the tool. They will no longer be theft resistant, but if you feel comfy with that, it is much easier to use without. Safe travels!