Anyone ever try these Opti-Grip sensors from Hot Lap Motorsports? At $199 for four tire temperature sensors with either an in-car LCD display or a data acquisition/logger interface, they seem like the lowest cost way I've come across to measure tire temps live. Free shipping too!

http://www.opti-grip.com/Opti-grip/Opti-Grip.html

And individual sensors are just $39 each.

http://www.opti-grip.com/Opti-grip/O...ec%20sheet.jpg

Has anyone ever tried these or heard anything about them in actual use? Not expecting they're the quality McLaren would use, but maybe they work.

 

Looks interesting enough to try one and test it.

 

This is DEFINITELY going on my off-season purchase list! I figured something like this would cost a fortune but for $200 it's absolutely worth a try.

 

I can't watch their flash video, but the description talks about using the system with a traqmate. My traqmate only has 2 analog inputs, so how are they making this work? Or is there a newer traqmate with more inputs?

 

Data acquisition videos here:
http://vimeo.com/2298013
http://vimeo.com/3160916

And one really bad in-car video, but here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktEdeUl8W70

 

That is a killer product for the price! How close to the tire do you have to mount the sensors?

 

Hmm. Looks cool. No data logger interface to the tire pressure senders?

 

There is a data logger interface product that comes with 4 sensors, same price as for kit with LCD display. But you either get the one with the display or the interface.

 

I have no experience and don't know the answer but the key to getting decent data would be placement. IMHO

The front would have to either be on top of the tire (a clearance problem on Honda's) or pivot with the tire as it steers to avoid the spot being measured from moving in and out the sensors field of view. The rear may be a bit easier of a mounting problem but then personally I am not as interested in the rear.

IMHO knowing one temp would be interesting but knowing the usual three (inside, middle, outside) would be far better. Knowing the beam pattern would be really key for the application. Having a tight focus to get a narrow strip is better than an average over several inches since you are trying to look at the tilt in the three temp not the average across the face. I can only assume getting the sensor closer to the tire would provide the best results.

Might as well stock up on the sensors because I can only guess how well they would stand up to tire rubber and rocks being flung at them.

Very cool stuff.

Dave
#72 ITS GSR - sold

 

Data sheet on the sensor says the field of view is 17 degrees. If you had two kits, you could measure 3 temps across each front tire and one on each rear tire using 8 sensors total. Here is a pic of how close some Exergen brand temperature sensors can be mounted on a circle track car for example. Mounting in that pic is attached to the knuckle and can be easily put on or removed for testing.

 

Duh, 4 analog inputs on the Traqmate. Its been too long.

I think I would mount a sensor in the back of the fender wells to get an average over a wide-ish section of tire. The most valuable info for me would be if I was cooking the outside front and when the rears are actually up to temp.