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Old 09-28-2007, 01:47 PM   #1
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newbie controller question

We have an 08 27FB SE on order {should be here by mid Oct} and I seem to be leaning towards a Prodigy contoller. My question is should I get the Prodigy or go to the new P3? What's the main differences? I am new to towing after motorhoming for 8 years so I want to make sure I get what I need without coming up short or overdoing it. I will be towing with a 2004 Excursion 6.0 diesel if that matters.
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Old 09-28-2007, 02:32 PM   #2
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I have had the Prodigy for a couple of years and it works great. If I was going to get one today, I would go for the new P3.
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Old 09-28-2007, 02:41 PM   #3
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I have a regular Prodigy too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
... If I was going to get one today, I would go for the new P3.
What, do you feel, makes the new P3 better than what you have?

Tom
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Old 09-28-2007, 02:44 PM   #4
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The new display gives you more information.

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Old 09-28-2007, 02:48 PM   #5
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Thanks Richard; karma headed your way when I can send it to you ... again.

Do you think the P3 controls any better? My impression is that the only difference between the two units is in the bells & whistles category.

Tom
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Old 09-28-2007, 02:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomW
Thanks Richard; karma headed your way when I can send it to you ... again.

Do you think the P3 controls any better? My impression is that the only difference between the two units is in the bells & whistles category.

Tom
I like bells & whistles
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:13 PM   #7
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Prodigy Controller

Let me relate a little history and then you make your judgement!

The Prodigy Controller....

I have a 2006 Classic, it has electric/hydralic brakes! Purchased the trailer in November of 2005 and made a trip to Arizona from Wisconsin with it. On the return to Wisconsin the brake pump started to cycle. Not at full braking but close to it. Soon thereafter the brakes went into full lockup. Disconnected the cord from the vehicle and the brake pump continued to cycle. Eventually I got it to stop, and finished my trip home.

When I got home it started to do the same again including a full seizure! Called Active Technology (the brake system manufacturer) not Prodigy,and after much troubleshooting they decided to replace the brake pump. Sent me a new one, worked like a charm when installed.

This summer I went from Wisconsin to Ontario and the brakes did the same thing again! Had to disconnect the brake system from the TV to get home.

Two weeks ago I hooked her up and took her to the factory for other reasons. When I left home the brakes were working properly!

Lo and behold, 400 miles into the trip the brakes seized once again. Got to the factory, explained the problem and they completely went over the entire system and air freighted another brake pump to replace the replacement.

Left the factory, 119 miles later in heavy traffic it froze once more!!! Back to the factory by their request. They replaced all of the system with the 2008 Active Technology System now being installed on the 2008 models. They strongly recommended replacing the Prodigy with a Genesis Brake Controller.

Now have almost 1000 miles on the system and no problems, no sweat through W. Va back roads, up and down mutiple hills.

The moral to the story is this "Prodigy says in their 2005 literature that it doesn't work with Electric/hydralic brakes, then announces that it does, I,m glad that I made the switch.

P.S. The Prodigy Controller was installed by an authorized Airstream Dealer who said it would work.

As a side note, came across a 2007 owner who also had the same problem, he replaced his pump also and now after talking to me he's waiting for the other shoe to drop!!!!!
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:16 PM   #8
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Ok so I guess "bells and whistles" wins. Being new to this I guess I was worried that more bells and whistles meant more confusion and more things that could go wrong. Then again I'll figure out the b&w's and never have to say "I wished I had gone for....." Thanks for the help
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:21 PM   #9
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Whoa... Thanks for the story. Now I'm a litle more confused than I thought???
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:26 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ristream'n
Whoa... Thanks for the story. Now I'm a litle more confused than I thought???
Another good reason for getting the P3. The original Prodigy stated that it was not for disc brakes. Many forums members used them and they worked fine, some did not. The P3 is designed to work with either discs or electric drums.
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:48 PM   #11
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Just read product literature for both the Genesis and the P3. The Genesis says it's for electric and electric over hydraulic brake systems. The P3 says it can be manually switched between electric and electric over hydraulic. Sounds the same to me right? By the way what type of brakes are on the 08 Safari SE?
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Old 09-28-2007, 03:57 PM   #12
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Safari should be electric drums.
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Old 09-28-2007, 04:07 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thecatsandi
Safari should be electric drums.
Thanks Michelle and thanks all. I think I'll go with the P3. Hopefully I'll see you out on the road soon.
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Old 09-28-2007, 04:20 PM   #14
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Good choice

Quote:
Originally Posted by ristream'n
... I think I'll go with the P3. ...
I'd do the same if I was buying one tomorrow.

Tom
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Old 10-04-2007, 11:44 AM   #15
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item #9 in my prodigy installation manual states:
CAUTION: this control is not designed for use with electric-hydraulic trailer brake systems.

so I 'upgraded' to the P3
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Old 10-04-2007, 12:10 PM   #16
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The P3 it is for me
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Old 10-04-2007, 12:13 PM   #17
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I'm a newby Airstreamer and after reading the forums I went with the P3, and the reason was I liked the display, it's easy to tell what is going on. Have used it on a 750 mile trip so far and it worked great. I installed it myself and the tech at the dealer hasn't seen the new P3 either, and he thought it was great. It has a easy to use menu system that anyone can figure out, you don't even need the manual. It's only $20 more, worth it to me.

Damon
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Old 10-04-2007, 12:28 PM   #18
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The easier the better for me!! Thanks Damon
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Old 10-09-2007, 06:24 PM   #19
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Thumbs up Bells And Whistles

Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
I like bells & whistles
Want bells and whistles..........try the Tru-control.

Just got it last weekend, simple 4 wire install, easy configuration, outstanding

performance. Have not had to adjust from the original settings dispite varying

road/load conditions. Tru-Control Brake Controller

Drove the co-pilot crazy every time I reached down to

activate the trlr. brakes/ check the gain. Simply the best performing brake

controller Iv'e ever used!! Plus it can be used on electric or elec/hydraulic systems.


YA GET WHAT YA PAY FOR.....IN THIS CASE....YA PAY A LOT AND

GET A LOT
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Old 10-09-2007, 07:51 PM   #20
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OK you P3 users is there alot of adjustments and manual activation needed???
Brian
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