Prodigy brake controller issues/mounting required?

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Jul 20, 2011 | 05:37 PM

#16

X_Hemi_Guy

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Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 12,237

Likes: 22

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonodsky

Did you do the recommended calibration tests to make sure you're not overly braking with the trailer more than with the truck? You could be over applying your trailer brakes causing them to over work since they are stopping the trailer and the truck.

A loose brake controller will not stay in place under emergency braking if it is on your lap or seat. As you know, things go flying forward in emergency braking. This would cause your trailer to not apply the brakes when needed and then rapidly apply the brakes at the wrong time, a dangerous situation. Be sure to mount it securely for all tows.

You can find a spare lower dash panel for pretty cheap. I think a few are available from part out X's in this forum. Just buy a spare to keep pretty and drill one of them. Then you have a clean one for when you sell it or if you really get sick of seeing the brake controller bracket/holes between tows. I have a few unmolested spare parts sittin' around to replace moded parts if I change my mind in the future.

Jason is spot on...my concern with NOT actually mounting it would be that under panic braking that the controller moves out of sync with the truck.

The way these accelerometer based devices work is that they sense thru the accelerometer the speed of the truck (or better yet the rate of deceleration) and apply a "proportional" amount of voltage/current to the magnets of your TT brakes. If the actual brake controller is moving at a different rate than the truck than it will be applying an incorrect proportional value to the TT brakes and the TT will brake incorrectly (either too much or worse too little!)...

I've mounted mine exactly as jh818 has mounted his...there are two small 1/16" screw holes that if I ever take out the prodigy...I'm not sure anyone would ever notice...and if they are noticible...oh well...the safety and accurate functionality of the TT brakes far outwieghs the small nuisance of the holes in the plastic. And if you are worried about holes...do the cubby mount as that hole is so far in the shadows...I'm not sure anyone would ever notice that hole!

My recommendation is to make sure it is rigidly mounted one way or another...velcro in my mind isn't even sufficient unless it is in the cubby itself since the cubby is pretty tight to begin with...

Just my $0.02

good luck,
joe.

Jul 20, 2011 | 05:51 PM

#17

Snowseeker

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Joined: May 2005

Posts: 13,484

Likes: 42

From: Stevens Point, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigPigDaddy

Here's what mine looks like.

Here's the hole.

With the controller out and the wire tucked back into the hole I can still use the cubby. You would have to bend way down to even see the back where the hole is.

That is where I had my controller in my last truck. That controller was just a simple ramp up on/off cheapo though. The prodigy uses G-force to control the brake current.

Jul 20, 2011 | 05:57 PM

#18

william_04_x

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 5,139

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Mine's low, but within reach, and there's no visible damage if it's removed.

Jul 20, 2011 | 07:45 PM

#19

Fleetsuper

Tuned

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 357

Likes: 1

From: Washington DC

Mine is just like BPD's, I snagged his pic and added where I ran my wire the lazy way.

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Jul 28, 2011 | 02:56 AM

#20

FICMrepair.com

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Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 1,803

Likes: 5

You guys are awesome. Plain and simple. Thanks very, very much. I'll try out the cubbie hole idea and, that failing, will drill the holes knowing that I can always gets a replacement panel. I love FTE.

Rep points added!!