Two-valve-hole Alcoa Wheels for easier TPMS fitment

Tyre pressure monitoring is being used by an increasing number of truck operators to improve safety and fuel consumption, as well as improving tyre life. However, the single valve hole in truck wheels can cause problems and Alcoa has developed two-hole wheels to remedy the issue

Truck tyre pressure monitoring systems are either in-wheel sensor/transmitter units or valve-cap sensor/transmitter units.

In-wheel units promise secure installation, but are vulnerable to damage when tyres are demounted. Also, battery maintenance or sensor replacement cannot be done unless the tyre is demounted.

Valve cap replacement TPMS transmitters literally replace a normal valve cap and are preferred by many operators, because of the ease of fitment, maintenance and replacement. However, there’s always the risk of the TPMS cap not being put back on after a pressure top-up. No cap means no pressure and temperature data being sent to the in-cab display unit.

Dual wheels pose another problem, because the valve stem extension moves the sensor/transmitter a distance from the tyre and that spacing means that while the pressure reading is correct, the temperature reading is not.

Also, the cap replacement TPMS transmitter cannot reused with on-board inflation systems.

TPMS makers have been pressuring (poor pun -Ed.) wheel makers to produce two-valve-hole wheels and Alcoa has come to the party.

“We’re working to understand how our wheels interact with other technologies,” said Amy Gross, US marketing manager for Alcoa Wheels.

“One example is in the Tyre Pressure, System (TPMS) arena.

“Understanding that pain point for our customers and the industry led to the new Alcoa Dual Valve wheel,” Gross added.

“It features a second valve stem, so the TPMS sensor can operate on one valve while air pressure is serviced on the other.

“With Dual Valve wheels, TPMS technology companies can overcome a barrier to providing their full value.”

Trucksales spoke to Peter Woodford, from Queensland-based LSM Technologies, about the new Alcoa forged-aluminium wheels. LSM distributes the Doran TPMS system in Australia that’s one of the few valve-cap-replacement designs approved for use in spark-sensitive environments, including mines.

“We’ve been asking for dual-valve-hole wheels for many years,” said Woodford.

“The new Alcoa release means that fleets can fit our TPMS caps that don’t have to be disturbed for regular pressure maintenance.

“Also, the internal tyre temperature reading on inner dual tyres will be more accurate, because the sensor is always close to the tyre," Mr Woodford concluded.

Two-valve-hole Alcoa Wheels for easier TPMS fitment

Tags