Prodigy brake control maxed at 13, very little brakes

[JMetzger]

I remember when I use to have a Kelsey Hayes that went into the hydraulic brakes. I think that it was 400 years old but it worked great. I had it on my 76 van. Then they said that you couldn't tap into the hydraulics & I had to go to the solid state junk. Wish I had it back.

 

[Nigel]

My Prodigy failed with the same symptoms Bug Out has. I couldn't find anything wrong with the trailer and I already had decided I wanted a MaxBrake. When I installed the new controller I realized my Prodigy had gone bad at some point. One nice feature on the MaxBrake is when you spike it manualy you get a reading about 2 to 3 amps per magnet(18a in my case), if it changes you have a magnet or wiring problem.



Nigel

 

[DennyDay]

Bought a Max Brake - -What a disapointment

Well, got my new MaxBrake today, ordered it from SW Wheel and had it overnighted to Mobile, AL where we are in a CG - - already disapointed! Got ready to install it and opened up the box all there was in there was the box, a blue cable, and advertisement for a light system, and the instructions - - - there was no brake line, no sensor, no sensor adaptor, no mounting bracket, no screws to hold the box to the mounting bracket. Called SW Wheel and was told there was nothing they could do tonight, but they would call MazBrake and call me back - - Oh and - - - it was all MaxBrakes fault!!!! So now I sit 'til Monday at the earliest - - Have waited 45 minutes and SW still hasn't even called back . . . . guess thats what i get for depending on the big outfit instead of going to a little dealer . . . . :-{}

 

[DennyDay]

Things may be gettin' Better

Talked to Jay at MaxBrake - - told me the whole accessory package was missing - - He is going to UPS overnite it to me for Saturday delivery to Mobile - - - - I'll let y'all know what happens

 

[MSicotte]

I would definetly check the trailer brakes. I thought my P3 was not working properly on my travel trailer (2010 Heartland Northcountry LS - absolute POS that the dealer bought back... ) When I got my new one (2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Light), it worked great.

 

[stevelauer]

Don't know what kind of trailer brakes you have but Prodigy will not work correctly with electro-hydraulic brakes - it did at first with mine but they slowly faded.

I should have read the warning on the box.

 

[Loren]

This was the first, but not the last trailer I found with faulty wiring. In every instance, I have found faulty wiring to be the cause of poor/no braking in my experience.

Steve,



I agree. I have a BrakeSmart controller and it does a wonderful job, but the few times when I had a real brake problem it was caused by the trailer's wiring.



New subject:

Another way to check the trailer's brakes individually is to use a magnetic compass. Hold the compass near the brake drum and have someone apply the brakes. The compass needle will deflect from the electromagnet's field if that brake magnet is working.



-- Loren

 

[docjara]

I had trouble with the brakes on long trips. Batteries were draining. Found the fuse under hood for trailer battery was blown and not sending power to charge battery. No lights on dash and no way to know without pulling fuse. Just another thought.

 

[BIGNASTY]

prodigy brake control FIX

To fix your prodigy brake controller (1ST remove it form dash)(2OND remove wiring for rear of prodigy)(3RD place prodigy in left or right Hand witch ever is dominate) (4TH throw prodigy as far away from truck as possible) (5TH install MAXBRAKE and forget about any trailer brake problems form the controller.

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Been pulling trailers for many years and used a few controllers. I use a Prodigy now and don't like it. The inertia part works backward. If you are doing 70 with a heavy load and need max brakes, you won't get much because the truck brakes have to do a lot of braking before the inertia part of the controller works. If you are going slow between lights and hit the brakes, it will put you into the windshield. I just bought a new trailer and will install a MaxBrake soon. An accident cost a lot more than a controller, I haven't had one but I have had some pretty close calls.

 

[GAmes]

I had trouble with the brakes on long trips. Batteries were draining. Found the fuse under hood for trailer battery was blown and not sending power to charge battery. No lights on dash and no way to know without pulling fuse. Just another thought.

Not quite sure where you are going with this. The trailer battery has nothing to do with the brakes (unless the tow vehicle is disconnected and the break away switch plunger is pulled out). Electric trailer brakes are activated by the tow vehicle no matter what type of controller you use.