No problems with the new P3 I recently hooked up. Just had one trip with it so far but the trailer brakes smooth. Still playin with it a bit.

A nice unit.

 

I tried a Prodigy and had problems but it was a lot better than the Voyager. Then I got a Jordan and it was a lot better than the Prodigy. I took some extra time adjusting the Jordan when I switched it to this truck and got it perfectly smooth. This truck had a Sentinal when I bought it and it worked fine - much finer gain adjustment than the Voyager. Craig

 

Just put in a new tekonsha p3 and LOVE IT!!! It brakes so smooth. Another cool thing is the troubleshooting screen. I can always see what my battery volts are any time I want. LATER

 

I love these threads, about like which is better a blonde or a brownette. Could we do another which is better Delo or Rotella?

Do a search, there is more info on here about brake controllers than anything else.

 

^^^^

While I see your point, this one seemed to start better -- the original post was experience with either of two units, but primarily the standard responses surfaced about the top three contenders for brake controller world heavyweight champion. "And in this corner, wearing red and white trunks...."

 

Well basically, mentioning no brands, the purchaser gets what he purchases.

There are timed units where the amount of braking is truned on by the brake lights and controlled by timing which is adjustable, no connection to brakes.

There are surge units where the brake lights turn on the unit and a weight in the unit controlls the amount of braking, the more braking on the vehicle the more it turns on the braking, no connection to brakes.

There are units that apply braking by a cable attached to the brake pedal, a direct connect to the brake system.

There are units that splice into the hydraulic system controlling braking and directly connected to the brake system.

The brakes are your life and possibly somebody elses. You make up your own mind. You either connect to the brake system or you don't.

 

I've had a Prodigy since they came out, and now that I have a big 5th wheel, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with it... that or just user error.

Basically, if I set it to Boost mode, the brakes engage way too hard, and when going very slowly, touching the brake pedal makes the trailer brakes lock up. If I take it off of boost, there's too little braking power.

I have the voltage turned up between 10-11 volts... so I'm thinking I'm sending enough power to it. Not really sure.

The trailer weighs between 12000 and 14000 depending on whether the ATVs are loaded up. Anybody have some suggestions on where to set this thing?

Thanks!

Rob

 

Well said! This illustrates the important design features. In an emergency, I'm not going to be considering what the unit cost me, I'm going to be concerned about control and avoiding a crash. Forget initial cost as an important feature.

The controllers that actually hook to the braking system can actually start breaking BEFORE the truck, or instead of the truck. The trailer doesn't have to push on the truck before it starts to brake. Not always important but a nice feature for gradual slowing on downgrades or if the trailer begins to sway.


John

 

Rob,
It sounds like you are not sending enough voltage because on boost they will lock. Can you turn up the power?

John

 

Hey Rob,
The way I set mine is to find a vacant road take all the boost off. Get going 25 mph slide the brake controller on the bottom all the way over. If the trailer brakes lock up back off the voltage and do it again. It took me 3 or 4 attempts. Once the voltage was set maximum voltage with no brakes locking up you are good to go. Then you can use the boost feature. I set mine on off or 1 around town. 2 on the freeway and 3 coming down steep (grapevine etc.) Mine seems to work perfectly I hardly know the trailer is back there. just my .03

 

What all does the P3 do different? Mainly what all can you play with on the menu?

 

colors,language,elec.brks or elec. over hyd.it troubleshoots elec to trlr i.e. magnets & taillights amps &volts,3 levels of boost,its a good unit have installed aprox. 30 of them with no problems !your close to me pm me i will give you my # and try to answer any ?s

 

Thanks for the info. For those of us not familiar, which brand / model's do this ?

 

I got a Brakesmart and I don't buy nothing else no more.

 

The 01.5 has the Prodigy and it can be set to work very well and I was pleased with it.

However the Brakesmart on the 07.5 is much better. The Brakesmart truck and trailer brakes work together with neither ahead nor behind the other, the result is alot smoother. The difference between the two (Prodigy vs Brakesmart) surprised me as I didn't realize how much out of synch the 01.5 brakes and the trailer were.

If I buy another brake controller, based on what I now know, it will be a Brakesmart.

Good luck,

George