Suggested location for TPMS repeater?

[Shrimpburrito]

Has anyone installed a TPMS repeater? I’m using the TST Truck 507 system (the original model), and in the last year or two, have been having reception problems, despite replacing batteries several times. The manufacturer says this is likely due to increased use of electronic devices, including the wireless fridge thermometer in the TM, to cell phones, computers, Bluetooth devices, etc. in the TV, and so they suggested I try a repeater.

The repeater runs off of 12v, and has a very low current draw — about 100 mA when in use, and 10-15 mA when idle. They don’t really offer any suggestions as to placement, but other manufacturers of repeaters suggest putting it as low as possible, since that’s where the tires are. Other than that, the only question is the TM or TV. My battery compartment is in the rear, otherwise, that would be an ideal location. So I’m thinking of plugging into the 12v accessory outlet in the back of the TV and just leaving it on the floor.

Anyone do this yet? Does it help?

Dave

 

[Bill]

Personally, I'd go for the tow vehicle location. You would always be sure that you have the unit with you. Or perhaps this is an excuse to install an electric tongue jack. Once you have brought a 12-volt line to the TM tongue, you might as well use it for the TPMS repeater.

Bill

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

You could try inside the trailer as you suggest, but don't be surprised that reception maybe poor because you have 2 layers of aluminum in the floor to receive, and two layers of aluminum to transmit through. If you mount it where Bill suggests, you have for less shielding from the trailer to deal with, and an easy source of 12V to tap into. I would splice in a plug for wiring.

 

[rickst29]

On the tongue - you could wire from behind the fridge.

Personally, I'd go for the tow vehicle location. You would always be sure that you have the unit with you. Or perhaps this is an excuse to install an electric tongue jack. Once you have brought a 12-volt line to the TM tongue, you might as well use it for the TPMS repeater.

Bill

If you don't want to do the tongue jack (which would deserve it's own wire and fuse from the 12V distribution fuse board), you could also pull a shorter "+12 VDC" wire by making a new junction behind the fridge. You can follow the path which TM used for the break-away switch, maybe even using small zip ties to hold the wires together.

There are already a large number of wires going out the TM floor under the rear of the fridge, for a variety of reasons. From the junction, You can pull your new wire through one the existing holes, adding it into an existing bundle.

Although it is possible to split the breakaway 12V near the breakaway switch itself (along the front A-frame), I recommend against doing that - because I don't like the idea of inserting another fault-prone wire nut in that location, exposed to weather and road debris.

(Leave the input power line for the breakaway as reliable and undisturbed as possible.)

 

[Shrimpburrito]

Thanks for the tips! I had not thought of tapping into power in the fridge compartment. I think I’m going to test it first in the TV, especially since I’m not on an extended trip. But having it there permanently, I feel like it’s going to get in the way and be a PITA. So maybe eventually, when I get back, I will try and mount it to the TM somewhere, outside, and make the connection in the fridge.

Dave