A "Bump" With Pressure Pro

[GaryKD]

It is time to let you know I have experienced a "bump"� with the Pressure Pro (PP) product and company.

The bottom line:
I still like the product and would purchase it again. However, there are some things current owners should know. Those who purchased their system after January 2007 need not read this. I am told earlier defects, like I experienced have been fixed.

Summary:
I purchased my system in September 2005.
During the warranty period I experienced leaking sensors.
The sensors were replaced under warranty, without incident.
In January of 2007 I continued to have leaking sensor issues.
Between January through April, I experienced about 50% failure of the reconditioned sensors PP sent me.
As of April 21, all sensors are working as advertised.

Conclusion:
Doran was of no help and I would be reluctant to buy from them again. If you are out of warranty and PP will send you only reconditioned sensors, beware of that deal. I have documented my saga with PP and mentioned to them their reconditioning program is detrimental to their Brand image. I find their reconditioning program quality and testing to be suspect. In addition, their business process associated with the reconditioning program needs to be reviewed and upgraded.

I would never again accept a reconditioned sensor from PP. I would see if I could work a reduced price for a new sensor. The pain and irritation of having to test (to ensure a hard failure), package and ship the failing sensors (many different times) to PP is close to death. During this time I am always on the road as it is the height of the NKK camping season in Florida.

Gory Details:
January 11, 2007 I contacted Doran Mfg about leaking sensors. Their answer was that I was out of warranty and my only alternative was to buy new sensors at $50/sensor. All I wanted was the new seals, since I had become very skilled at replacing the seals. Doran said no. I emailed Scott Comisar, GM of Doran and he got Doug McMeen of PP to contact me.

January 12, 2007, after getting past that the problem is all my fault, PP agreed to replace all my sensors (10) with reconditioned sensors that have the new machine inserted seals.

January 23, 2007 I asked PP if I could paint the reconditioned sensors as the ones they sent me were really grossly marked up by the previous customers. Painting sensors is okay.

February 27, 2007 Two sensors fail. One sensor would not communicate with the control panel. The other sensor leaked. PP sends me a reconditioned sensor and some new seals.

March 09, 2007 another sensor fails. This sensor will not communicate with the control panel. PP sends me 2 new sensors.

March 18, 2007 2 sensors fail. Both of these sensors do not communicate with the control panel. PP agrees to send me 2 new sensors.

March 30, 2007 The 2 sensors I received were not new. They were two sensors I had previously returned to PP because they did not work. The two sensors had the same problem now that they had when I first returned them! PP commits to send me two new sensors.

April 21, 2007 I return from a 400 mile two week trip. All sensors are working as advertised. I notified PP of this and I consider this saga closed.

During this time, new sensors never failed. Only the reconditioned sensors failed.

[GaryKD]

It is time to let you know I have experienced a "bump"� with the Pressure Pro (PP) product and company.

The bottom line:
I still like the product and would purchase it again. However, there are some things current owners should know. Those who purchased their system after January 2007 need not read this. I am told earlier defects, like I experienced have been fixed.

Summary:
I purchased my system in September 2005.
During the warranty period I experienced leaking sensors.
The sensors were replaced under warranty, without incident.
In January of 2007 I continued to have leaking sensor issues.
Between January through April, I experienced about 50% failure of the reconditioned sensors PP sent me.
As of April 21, all sensors are working as advertised.

Conclusion:
Doran was of no help and I would be reluctant to buy from them again. If you are out of warranty and PP will send you only reconditioned sensors, beware of that deal. I have documented my saga with PP and mentioned to them their reconditioning program is detrimental to their Brand image. I find their reconditioning program quality and testing to be suspect. In addition, their business process associated with the reconditioning program needs to be reviewed and upgraded.

I would never again accept a reconditioned sensor from PP. I would see if I could work a reduced price for a new sensor. The pain and irritation of having to test (to ensure a hard failure), package and ship the failing sensors (many different times) to PP is close to death. During this time I am always on the road as it is the height of the NKK camping season in Florida.

Gory Details:
January 11, 2007 I contacted Doran Mfg about leaking sensors. Their answer was that I was out of warranty and my only alternative was to buy new sensors at $50/sensor. All I wanted was the new seals, since I had become very skilled at replacing the seals. Doran said no. I emailed Scott Comisar, GM of Doran and he got Doug McMeen of PP to contact me.

January 12, 2007, after getting past that the problem is all my fault, PP agreed to replace all my sensors (10) with reconditioned sensors that have the new machine inserted seals.

January 23, 2007 I asked PP if I could paint the reconditioned sensors as the ones they sent me were really grossly marked up by the previous customers. Painting sensors is okay.

February 27, 2007 Two sensors fail. One sensor would not communicate with the control panel. The other sensor leaked. PP sends me a reconditioned sensor and some new seals.

March 09, 2007 another sensor fails. This sensor will not communicate with the control panel. PP sends me 2 new sensors.

March 18, 2007 2 sensors fail. Both of these sensors do not communicate with the control panel. PP agrees to send me 2 new sensors.

March 30, 2007 The 2 sensors I received were not new. They were two sensors I had previously returned to PP because they did not work. The two sensors had the same problem now that they had when I first returned them! PP commits to send me two new sensors.

April 21, 2007 I return from a 400 mile two week trip. All sensors are working as advertised. I notified PP of this and I consider this saga closed.

During this time, new sensors never failed. Only the reconditioned sensors failed.

[Bassman]

I was about ready to order the set of 10 until I read your post. I think perhaps I'll take a "wait and see" attitude for awhile. It's not like they are giving them away! At $690.00, I would prefer a product that works as advertised. Thanks for the tip! Keith

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

This is exactly what I love about the Internet and Forums. Where else could one get this kind of information passed along to so many potential users of the many products that are offered in our world.

This example makes me hope the manufacturer reads these posts.

[footdoc]

I got a new PP system with 12 sensors in January and have had none of Gary's problems after about 1800 miles...they are working fine. I back them off when stored to preserve battery life and only tighten them 3/4 turn after the hissing stops...seems to be working very well!

[digNbubbs]

I am a member of Team Satisfied as well. I got mine in January and have been real happy with it. I periodically check pressures with my gauge to assure myself of the accuracy, and have found them to be very true.

I do appreciate the info from the OP about reconditioned sensors. I do not remove my sensors between trips, as we typically move every two weeks or so (and I am lazy). I will be sure to take this info with me when I am in need of sensors when these batteries go south.

Maybe the trick will be to just purchase new sensors instead of doing the battery replacement thing. If these last me three years, that would only be $166/yr, or ~$14/mo to budget for sensors. May work out better than budgeting for a full tire failure with collateral damage


--kev

[Bassman]

After re-reading Gary's post, I noticed he said the problems have been addressed by January of 2007. I guess I'll go ahead and order them. Now all I need is the time to go and the weather to cooperate Keith

[SteveR]

I recently purchased a 10 tire sysem and have used in on our current trip of over 1000 miles. From one time or another the monitor shows 3,4 and up to 5 tires as "No Sensor" yet a a half hour they all show as fine. I still have a rear tire on my toad that seem to do want play well with the others and it keeps going into "No Sensor" mode yet it always programs just fine. It is irritating so say the least.

[GaryKD]

Hi Steve,
My assumption is your system is using the "rubber ducky" antenna mounted on top of the control panel. The control panel is mounted somewhere in the cockpit.

I started with this setup and had the same results mentioned in your post. I purchased the external antenna (includes antenna, wire and bracket) kit. I mounted the external antenna upside down under the coach about 3 feet in front of the rear axle. For pictures of my installation click:
Pressure Pro External Antenna
Cockpit Showing Pressure Pro Control Panel

Now there is a choice. One can order the external antenna kit or an antenna repeater. Consider calling PressurePro and discussing which would be best for your situation.

[diandtom]

I had one sensor to fail. It read low when the pressure was good. They sent me a replacement and no other problems. I had a value stem go bad on my first tow with the new truck and it saved the tire as well as my neck.
Tom

[SteveR]

Gary,

Thanks for the reply and the advice. I will call them next week when we get back to see what they think. I may also move the monitor around a bit to see if there is a "sweet spot" in the cab and stick it there.

Nice mods on your coach.

[footdoc]

I use the antenna repeater mounted in my bathroom and never have had a sensor MIA...my dash unit even receives very well with no repeater, even when the toad is about 100 feet away!! go figger

[GaryKD]

Be it WIFI, Air Card, CB Radio, Cellphone, Pressure Pro, etc. communicating via a wireless technology is as much an art as a science.

[JimT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by diandtom:
I had one sensor to fail. It read low when the pressure was good. They sent me a replacement and no other problems. I had a value stem go bad on my first tow with the new truck and it saved the tire as well as my neck.
Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I've had 3 flats that my pressure pro CAUSED and detected. All 3 were broken valve stems caused by the weight of the sensor. They work good on my 5er because they have steel stems.
JimT