brake controller

[BerylPugh]

what are some of the better brake controllers? do not want any that have a pendulum in them. I have that now and I really do not like it. I have heard of Prodigy and Jordan (pros and cons of both would be nice)

 

[cscott]

I have the Jordan and love it.



I go from a 3 axle to a 2 axle with no problems.



I wish I had found one years ago.

 

[BerylPugh]

what makes the jordan better than the prodigy

 

[klenger]

I had a Jordan in my '01. It's a great controller. It senses brake effort by a cable connected to the brake pedal to provide proportional braking on the trailer brakes.



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/2nd-gen-reference/jordan-installation/index.html



On my new truck, I decided to try the BrakeSmart controller. It senses brake effort with a hydraulic sensor installed in the brake line. It appears to be a very nice system. I will be posting my comments after I get it installed in the new truck.



http://www.brakesmart.net/index.htm

 

[99guy]

I got a prodigy that was apparently bad out of the box, put up with it for nearly a year before I ran into the dealer who had provided it, he gave me another. I have only used the new one a couple of times but it really seems to work well so far. I like the digital read out. Have no experience with the jordon, jus my 2 cents ... ... ... .....

 

[RAMINSPEED]

Originally posted by 99guy

I got a prodigy that was apparently bad out of the box, put up with it for nearly a year before I ran into the dealer who had provided it, he gave me another. I have only used the new one a couple of times but it really seems to work well so far. I like the digital read out. Have no experience with the jordon, just my 2 cents ... ... ... .....

What was the problem with the prodigy?

 

[Slow Six]

I have been using the Prodigy for about 9 months and so far it works well. I like the trouble codes that come up if there is a problem in the brake system. This helps trouble shooting. I had a failure in the gain adjustment but I got a replacement controller, no questions asked. I pull several different trailers and the power adjustment is easy to do for the difference in the individual trailer brakes. So far it is the best controller I have used. I was also considering the Jordan, but for me the Prodigy was easier to get and I think an easier install. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[EB]

BrakeSmart:

About as close as set and forget as you can get. I have over 35,000 miles of daily towing with mine and never a problem. It is so smooth it's almost like truck and trailer stopping as one unit. No jerking or surging, there is no pendulum, it works off brake pressure which sends the amps back to your trailer brakes. Ck out the website shown in an earlier post for more information.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've had enough of the cheap controllers that only last 3 or 4 years. Does anybody have a phone number for Jorden?

 

[kentdiesel]

Click on this link for Jordan's phone #



http://www.jordanbrake.com/

 

[Casey Balvert]

Originally posted by EB

BrakeSmart:

About as close as set and forget as you can get. I have over 35,000 miles of daily towing with mine and never a problem. It is so smooth it's almost like truck and trailer stopping as one unit. No jerking or surging, there is no pendulum, it works off brake pressure which sends the amps back to your trailer brakes. Ck out the website shown in an earlier post for more information.

EB, did you install it yourself? Any problem with bleeding the air out? Where did you install the display unit? A picture of your installation would be nice if you have one. Do you have any plans on adding the EGT and Boost options?



I am looking forward to Ken's report on this.



Casey

 

[99guy]

I believe my gain adjustment was also wacky, that's the little thumb wheel I'm referring to. I always suspected mine was not right as it felt loose and would not stay where I would set it, just driving around in the truck would cause it to move from the vibration. I suspect the thumb wheel was broken somehow internally, it had been that way since new. The replacement has a whole different feel and it seems to work fine. Since there have been two posts here about a problem it sort of makes me wonder but many seem to use the prodigy so maybe we two were the only "lucky" ones.



It is also easy to hook up, you can get an extra pigtail that simply plugs in to your truck and the back of the prodigy, no hassle wiring to do. Cost me around 10 bucks more for the pigtail. Another nifty feature is the quick slide in mount that lets me change the controller between two trucks really quick.

 

[bighammer]

I need to look for something better than my POS pendulum type. Tired of it locking the axles at RR crossings and large potholes.



The cable to brake pedal sounds like it adds to install time but worth it.

 

[EB]

Yes, I installed it myself, took 30-45 minutes (less than an hour) It's no problem bleeding the brake line, it's up top by the master cylinder. I''ll go take some pictures of the setup and how the pressure sensor line is put in. I've posted pictures before on other forums but will do it again.

 

[klenger]

EB:



Is it necessary to install the hose between the "T" and the sensor, or can you install the sensor directly to the "T"?

 

[RustyJC]

Having used both the time-ramped (Reese Brakeman II) and inertial (Tekonsha Sentinel) controllers, the Jordan Ultima 2020 true proportional controller was a night-and-day improvement. I highly recommend it. No, it's not the easiest to find since Jordan is basically a cottage industry, but that's a marketing rather than a technical issue. Just because McDonalds sells more hamburgers than anyone else certainly doesn't mean their hamburgers are better than anyone else's!



Having said that, I'd seriously consider putting out the additional $$$$ for a BrakeSmart controller along with electric over hydraulic disc brakes on my next truck/5th wheel rig.



Rusty

 

[ropinfool2]

Ok I want to know is where are you installing your brake controllers in the 3rd Gen trucks????? I went to install my Prodigy the other day and can not find a place that is accessible and functional. Someone mentioned a while back they removed their ashtray and installed it there, I would like to see pics of that. So let me know!!!!!!! Thanks. John

 

[EB]

Klenger:

Just went and looked at the sensor and really don't know why you couldn't. The threads look the same and I think the line to the controller is long enough, so I guess you could try it.

I posted 4 pictures in my gallery on the BrakeSmart. The pictures of the unit itself aren't very clear because of the flash, and the one with the brake on doesn't show any amps because a trailer isn't hooked up.

 

[99guy]

Originally posted by ropinfool2

Ok I want to know is where are you installing your brake controllers in the 3rd Gen trucks?????

I put mine below and to the right of the steering wheel, in the upper right hand corner of the trim panel beneath the wheel. In this spot I can view the display through the spokes of the wheel and it's easily accessible for any adjustment needed. Doesn't't interfere with leg clearance for either wife or myself. That puts in in a pretty upright position as far as angle but it won't bother the prodigy. Also in this location the optional prodigy pigtail is about the right length.



I too saw the post about the ash tray location and I had mine stuck in there for awhile till I decided on a permanent spot. Mama wants the tray for her change.

 

[sfr1047]

Brakesmart Sensor

Klenger,

Yes, you can mount the sensor directly to the T fitting. I did on my 96 and it worked fine. On my 04 the fluid tank was in the way so I had to use the hose for a remote mount location.