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[ianu]

Hi all,
Just swapped my alloys over for a set of steel rims and tyres for the winter. I'd purchased the steels from another forum member in preparation back in the summer (no problem - but obviously had no history of their former life - still no problem). However - whilst having the tyres fitted - on (inside the tyre effectively)  two of the four rims was a jubilee band holding a transmitter device about the size about 3 - 4 inches long and an inch high. I've had them removed and wondered if anyone knows what they would be for and if they were for a particular spec car. My thoughts are they are probably tyre pressure sensors of some sort and I can only think that 'plod' cars might have used them. Anyway I have 2 spare if anyone can find a use for them (I obviously have no idea what they would transmit to or if they work)  :-?

By the way - I buffed up the hub caps, removed the centre badges to paint red behind them, polished the badges and re-secured and d'you know what - it looks the muts. I'll get some pics when a) the weather is warm enough to let me wash the rest of the car - but the wheels look fantastic..

Cheers
Ian.

[mrjimbo]

Have you got any pics of the bands that came from inside the tyres/wheels, i'm very curious as to what they might be for   

[Broomies Mate]

Tyre Pressure sensors are a fair bet.

Potentially a very accurate speed measuring device? 

Very intriguing!

[Abiton]

Flux capacitors, fo' sure.

That's two point forty-two gigawatts of power you've just lost. 

[Broomies Mate]

Flux capacitors, fo' sure.

That's two point forty-two gigawatts of power you've just lost. 

I cant believe the advice some people on here give.

Everyone knows Flux Capacitors were only fitted to DeLoreans.

So Stupid! 

[2woody]

yes - tyre pressure transmitters.

now a legal requirement in the USA and available in the aftermarket here, as well as on new cars.

[ianu]

..thought they might be .. I'll get some pics up later in the week - they're still rattling around in the boot at the mo. I'm intrigued why they'd be on a set of steel rims that are most likely off a lower spec model - 205/65/15's - is the tyre size I've just fitted to them to replace what was on there. Does anyone know if 'plod' cars had pressure sensors fitted ?

[ianu]

Have you got any pics of the bands that came from inside the tyres/wheels, i'm very curious as to what they might be for   

Hi mrjimbo - yes these were the rims you gave me - I'll keep you posted. You don't happen to have a redundant tyre pressure display lying around in your car do you ?? 

[feeutfo]

Nice idea this IMO. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tyrepress.com/thumbnail.php%3Ffile%3DContinental_indexprint_FillingAssistant_Page_2_web_179879660.jpg%26size%3Darticle_medium&imgrefurl=http://www.tyrepress.com/News/1/tpms_rfid/20338.html&usg=__pE7bcZokwtGsZ0rX9SHw1y6a_cY=&h=225&w=300&sz=14&hl=en&start=157&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=YyFT0vuNZ_atiM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTyre%2Bpressure%2Bsensors%26start%3D140%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Di

However it does seem daft to have the sensor in the tyre  :-?

[ianu]

Ok - here you go. I have heard some theories about how these work - but I'd still expect 4 to be fitted and there to be a receiver in the vehicle. Anyway according to their website - they no longer do these for 'automotive' use. I'd still love to know if the plod fitted them.

http://www.smartire.com/company

Here are the pictures:









One is obviously a transmitter - but not sure what the other one does - but I believe that these work by comparing relational speed of the wheels to each other rather than actual pressure. So a drop in pressure affects it's speed with respect to the others - I think  :-?. But you still need to send the information to a visible receiver somewhere don't you.

Why only 2 ? - I have no idea if these were on the same axle or front / rear - Mrjimbob do you know any history of these wheels whilst in your posession or prior to that ??.

Next time you're having tyres fitted - it's impossible for the fitter not to know these are on the rim because it's a  to get the tyre over the top of them to get it off.
There you go - a mystery 

Cheers
Ian

[Broomies Mate]

I'm guessing not just a barsteward to get the tire over the rim, but also a complete git to balance the wheel too.

[ianu]

I'm guessing not just a barsteward to get the tire over the rim, but also a complete git to balance the wheel too.

..not 'alf - there were some big b***er weights on the rim - but if you look at the steel band there are some counter weights threaded on the banding that were on the opposite side of the rim whilst they were fitted..

[Marks DTM Calib]

Lol at the freebie plastic vernier from one of the elecronics magazines a few years ago.

[mrjimbo]

I seem to remember that the 2 rear tyres had more balance weights than the front and it did have a slight balance problem on the rear wheels that the tyre fitters could never seem to cure i eventually put it down to the propshaft.

I can see why they couldn't get it right   

[Marks DTM Calib]

Looks like it should be strapped round the neck of a bear as a tracker!