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08-10-2010, 12:42 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2002 27' Safari
College Station
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 62
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Leave the controller plugged in?
Do most of you leave your brake controller hooked up all the time, or do you disconnect it and pack it away when you are not towing? I've only had my P3 for a few months, and I've managed to blow two different fuses while plugging it in or unplugging it. Both times, it happened here at home while I was moving the AS locally. Of course this is just an inconvenience and not an expensive fix, but to avoid having this problem on the road where it might be a lot more inconvenient, I'm thinking about just leaving the controller in place all the time. It's not really in my way. Other than the increased possibility of theft, do any of you see a problem with doing this?
Mike
__________________
Mike & Diane
"The written word will soon disappear, and we'll no longer be able to read good prose like we used to could." - James Thurber
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08-10-2010, 12:52 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 216
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My Prodigy remains hooked up, and has done so since 2004 So far, so good. I do carry a backup controller in case the Prodigy decides to foobar -- one I used with our PopUp. I sometimes pull the lever to make sure it is alive (it tells me the trailer is not connected).
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08-10-2010, 12:52 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
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Mine is installed all the time,I think most people breaking into vehicles are looking for stereos etc.They probable wouldn`t know what a brake controller is. Dave
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08-10-2010, 12:52 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2015 23' FB International
2007 19' International CCD
Steamboat Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,020
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I have always left mine plugged in. It has not proven to be in the way or caused any problem. I have controllers in two vehicles; a 2000 Land Cruiser and a 2010 Tundra, which has the P3.
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08-10-2010, 12:52 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 216
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...I'd rather have the nice brake controller instead of the radio...
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08-10-2010, 12:52 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
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Right or wrong? I have not experienced any problem, and I leave mine pluged in all the time.
__________________
"There’s two kinds of people, them goin’ somewhere and them goin’ nowhere. And’s that what’s true". -Ben Rumson
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08-10-2010, 01:34 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2004 25' Classic
Prescott
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 623
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I have the P2 one, and It goes into sleep mode after about 15 minutes of not being used. I'm sure the P3 does the same. It has stayed plugged in from day one.
__________________
Julia & Bob
W/ Deedee & Boo
AIR #30685
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08-10-2010, 01:40 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Anywhere &
, Everywhere
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,090
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Been RVing 10 years with 3 different controllers - currently a Prodigy - and I've never disconnected the controller except when moving it to a new tow vehicle. Why would you even think it needed to be disconnected?
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08-10-2010, 02:58 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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P3 is what I have, I leave it in except that I put an inline switch on the power wire to turn it off when not in use.
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08-10-2010, 03:24 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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I suppose there is some merit in disconnecting but I'm not aware of many people doing this. In our case removing and reinstalling would mean a brief visit to the floorboard and time on my knees and usually smacking the back of my head on the steering column.  I could also see someone forgetting to plug the pigtail back in when reinstalling and not realizing it until they needed the brakes. 
Our Prodigy and it goes to sleep some 15 minutes or so after ignition shut down and the truck is parked more than its driven. So its off most of the time.
As for theft, I never really gave it a thought but I suppose someone could think that its something of value and break in. That's an interesting thought though.
Anyone here ever had theirs stolen?
Kevin
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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08-10-2010, 03:41 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2002 27' Safari
College Station
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 62
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Thanks for all the quick replies. It sounds unanimous. I think my concern came from my ingrained habit of not leaving anything of value in sight. But the added risk of theft is probably less troublesome than the certain trail of blown fuses I would be leaving down the highway.
Mike
__________________
Mike & Diane
"The written word will soon disappear, and we'll no longer be able to read good prose like we used to could." - James Thurber
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08-10-2010, 11:57 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,378
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Hi, I never remove it.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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08-11-2010, 04:46 AM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member 
2019 28' International
Leonardtown
, Maryland
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
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I am more worried about my Garmin being stolen than my Prodigy.
__________________
_________________
Rebee - WBCCI #1325
2002 Classic Ltd 30'
2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7 Cummins
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