These could be considered the “necessary evil” many RVers can’t live without. If you are installing new valve extenders, we highly recommend the solid steel type rather than the flexible mesh or rubber type. If you are mounting TireMinder transmitters to a valve extender, you must test for leakage using the latest high tech technique, more commonly called the “soapy water test”.
- First attach the transmitter to the extender.
- Second, using a highly concentrated mix (more soap than water), soak the transmitter end, as well the end attached to the original valve stem. If the extenders are the flexible type, soak them along their entire length (not just the two ends).
- Hopefully we do not need to tell you what you are looking for.
From experience, when users call or write with a complaint that their TireMinder transmitter is leaking, it invariably turns out the problem is with their valve extenders. It should be understood that most valve extenders (especially the flexible ones) are not pressurized until a gauge is pressed against the open end of the valve. They are then only pressurized for a few seconds (long enough to take a reading on the gauge).
Non-Pressurized vs Pressurized Braided Steel Valve Extenders
Non-pressurized braided steel valve extenders have a pin and a long actuator rod running from the outer end of the valve, which resembles a valve core. Pushing on the valve core pushes the rod down through the tube to open the valve core bolted to your tire rim. A good way of knowing that you're using a non-pressurized braided steel valve extender is if it is difficult to retrieve air out of the extender, while pushing on the extender's valve core. From the manufacturer, these are often called "airless" valve extenders.
With a pressurized braided steel valve extender, the valve stem which is bolted to your tire rim is instantly opened once the extender is installed. Therefore, as soon as the valve extender is being screwed on, you should hear air escaping. The air flow should cease once the extender is properly tightened.
Please note, non-pressurized valve extenders will not work with your TireMinder i10 and need to be replaced in order for the transmitters to function properly. Because non-pressurized valve extenders do not allow a consistent flow of air to the transmitters, the transmitters are unable to provide proper readings. This will result in incorrect readings or no signal alerts.