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mg -

I haven't installed the booster yet either.  I probably will at some point, but honestly & in my opinion, it's not a necessity with my short 1575 or your even shorter 1475.

When I do install it I have been thinking about inside the mounted spare tire (which is nice & dry under a 1575) or like you're thinking - somewhere around/under the A-frame tongue area.

As far as power for the booster goes - I will probably go the K-I-S-S route and just use the roach, er alligator clips on the battery posts.  Quick & easy.  

I would try a test tow or two without the booster and see if you lose connection.

Just my $0.02.

Glad that yours arrived.  Please keep posting thoughts and updates.  I will do the same (hoping to get out on a trip soon).  

Last edited by Red Barchetta

TPMS installed.  Mounted signal booster under battery box and clipped alligator clips to battery posts.  If this works I'll connect with a pig tail connection like I use with battery tenders.  Consulted w/Minder Research and they agreed w/my booster placement.  May rethink and place elsewhere if necessary.  Install was very straight forward and all transmitters worked.  First trial trip coming up soon, will post again after return.

Red, what does K-I-S-S stand for, that one lost me!

mg -

KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid.

It's referring to one's self as a reminder for no need to overthink a certain task, etc ...

I am glad to hear that everything went smoothly with the install & the initial equipment check.  

Looking forward to your post-trip report.   

Side note/question - what psi does your TVs "doughnut" spare take?  My wife's Beetle has one of those and I don't think I've ever even looked at it as it's buried deep in the cramped trunk.  I am surprised that an Explorer has one of those instead of a full-size spare tire.

Amazon reviews are still holding at just 19 (there were 18 when I started this thread) so it appears that we are still in the infancy stage with this TPMS.

Last edited by Red Barchetta
Red Barchetta posted:

mg -

KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid.

Explorer has one of those instead of a full-size spare tire..

I can't do that - I stay awake at nights trying to come up with ideas that can complicate an install.

I'm still working on a solution for mounting my signal booster (older system than yours) but my thinking is along these lines.

I already have a set of Anderson electrical connectors coming off of the batteries for my portable solar - thinking about adding a small waterproof box to the outside of one of the battery boxes (think Pelican here, or something similar (read that as cheaper) with an openable lid) - running the wires into that, (keeping everything waterproof) so that I have easy access to plug in either the solar, or the signal booster (adding the Anderson connectors to this as well).

Thought about adding an on/off switch just to further complicate things, but will probably go with just plugging/unplugging as necessary.

Ron -

Too funny ... and true.

I am the same way with most things.  Thought-out to the umpteenth degree and then precisely executed.

If it turns out that I need the booster with my short 1575 & extended cab truck then I'll probably mount a water-proof box somewhere under the TT, but as far as powering it I'll probably stick to the roach, er alligator clips on the terminals as I have nice & quick access to my battery at all times (no crazy sliding tray setup on my '14 Lance TT).  Since the booster is only needed while towing I don't want even the slightest parasitic draw from it while it is "sleeping" while camping as we are dry campers 98% of the time.

Last edited by Red Barchetta

Any thoughts on this method of installing the booster?

In my 1685's forward storage compartment there is an access hole that allows me to get to the lower front running lights. Considering splicing into that circuit - always drive with the lights on so the booster would always be on when driving, off when unhooked with no battery loss.

It would be a bit further away from the truck's cab and the signal would have to travel through the front of the trailer. Don't know how strong the signal is or if it is something to even consider.

Probably not thinking of something here, but right now it seems like a possibility.

Ron -

I like your idea for tapping in to the TT's running lights for power to the booster (I too always tow with the lights on so would only be hot while towing).

Where the issue in your plan could be is that per Minder Research/Valterra Products you want the weather-proof booster's antenna outside the TT such as mounted to the frame, inside the mounted spare tire, etc...

However, I don't think that is truly a serious issue.  Since you have the access area and you know you want to splice in to that line you could just set the booster inside the access area and give it a try.  If there is trouble you can always drill a small hole through the floor and mount the booster under the trailer.

I really think you might do a test tow or two without the booster as even your 1685 is a pretty short trailer.  You might find that it's not necessary.

By the way, 1575's have that same false wall/access area.  That is where I mounted my Victron battery monitor.  If I do decide to use the booster I will definitely follow your lead and use the marker/running lights wire.  Thanks for the idea.  

Screenshot_20170923-111820

*From here -

https://community.lanceowners.org/top...6#415772502841291706

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Last edited by Red Barchetta
Red Barchetta posted:

Ron -

 

Where the issue in your plan could be is that per Minder Research/Valterra Products you want the weather-proof booster's antenna outside the TT such as mounted to the frame, inside the mounted spare tire, etc...

I really think you might do a test tow or two without the booster as even your 1685 is a pretty short trailer.  You might find that it's not necessary.

Thanks, I just read that - hadn't realized the booster was weather-tight.

We do need the booster - I'm thinking of trying it inside of that area behind the cover, the only thing blocking the signal would be the front wall that looks to be some sort of fiberglass casting, maybe 3/16" thick.

That shouldn't interfere much, but if it does I will mount it just outside of that area, depends on water/mud spray from the truck tires where exactly.

WP_20170923_12_14_22_ProWP_20170923_12_14_47_Pro

If I put it outside I might still put it in a weather-tight box for rock/element protection. 

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Final pre-trip report.

Once the Bluetooth adapter is turned on the app syncs within 30 seconds.

I really like that I get tire psi, tire temperature, & tire sensor battery level readings in a single glance before it moves on to the next tire.

I prefer/keep my 2 rolling tires at 62 psi and the spare at 65 psi.  *This is a semi-local trip so leaving the 2nd spare (50 psi) at home which rides in the truck bed.  Since it's staying home I disabled the TV section so that the app doesn't keep searching for that spare tire.

I removed a sensor from the valve stem and a nice loud & clear audible warning sounded as well as vibration and status bar warnings.

I have put the app icon on my home screen.  Once we return from our trip I'll remove it from my home screen until the next trip.

Red Barchetta posted:

Uneventful tow.  Seems to do what it's designed to do.

Really nice not to have a separate monitor in the TV.

Like I mentioned before, I have the older version of the Tire Minder TPMS, it works fine, but trying to see that small display on the receiving unit is difficult while driving.

Might have to buy my own Christmas present this year and upgrade to the new system.

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