Question for Prodigy Brake Control Owner

MileHigh · 03-17-2004, 11:24 PM

I've installed a Prodigy Brake Control in my Suburban. Trailer is a 29ft Excella.

I'm at the point of adjusting the Power settings..

Instructions say start with setting at 6.0 ...and test. .. OK so far....

I guess what I don't understand is How/and What the Boost Setting is for ??

If you tow with the Boost "Engaged" Setting set at 6.1 or 6.2 or 6.3 as indicated in the instructions, ...Why not just set the Prodigy intially at one of those settings instead of 6.0 ??

Do you "regularly" tow with the Boost Feature engaged,...or is it supposed to be left off,..and used for "Special Situations" ??.

I'm just not real clear about what I've got here....

Thanks for any clarification..

Rick

RoadKingMoe · 03-18-2004, 12:36 AM

The Prodigy is a box of rocks (i.e. a computer) that tries to guess what you want the rig to do from what if feels the truck doing.

The problem with most inertia based controllers is that they lag behind what the truck brakes are doing, so the trailer brakes are following the truck brakes, instead of leading them as they should be.

The "boost" of a Prodigy is applied when it sees the brake light switch come on, but before the truck actually begins braking. It's an attempt to get the trailer braking slightly before, and slightly more than, the truck, as a brake controller should.

Boost is basically a band-aid for inertia controllers, which are always following instead of leading, during braking.

**wahoonc** · 03-18-2004, 05:31 AM

Mile High,
When I am towing the AS I set the boost on the first setting, with my dial in around 6.5 for my specfic AS. When I tow my Popup the boost is off and the contoler stays at 6.5. The Prodigy is a major improvement over the old "time ramp" controllers. FWIW my AS weighs around 6k# and the popup around 3200#.

Aaron

vajeep · 03-18-2004, 05:53 AM

Rick,
Please keep me posted, I had planned to order the prodigy. I have almost the same set up that you have. Burb with a 27' Overlander.
Good luck,
Abe

Xray · 03-18-2004, 06:41 AM

Here's the Tekonsha Prodigy Tech Bulletin for setting boost:

Prodigy Tech Bulletin - Setting Boost

X

Silvertwinkie · 03-18-2004, 07:49 AM

I got a big kick out of

"The driver should not feel that the trailer is pushing him, or experience over-aggressive trailer braking."

Brandi tows sometimes too, better get her the right plumbing to use the Prodigy!

uwe · 03-18-2004, 12:01 PM

As an alternative, Hensley manufacturing has just released their new brake controller.
It works on hydraulic pressure, so it's real time braking controlled by the tow vehicles brake system. It utilizes a pressure sensitive switch in the hydraulic line.
I own the Prodigy, but find it only a slight improvement over the Voyager I had before. The shortcoming become more evident when driving in traffic, or when one has to use the brakes a lot at different speeds. The Prodigy works great for me on the open road to slow down the rig and moderate speed on long grades. It's choppy in traffic, no matter how I adjust it.
I am thinking of upgrading to the one from Hensley soon.

http://www.hensleymfg.com/trucontrol/trucontrol2.htm

linc54 · 03-18-2004, 05:18 PM

The one Hensley is offering is made by MasterBrake, model is called BrakeSmart. I have this, tow a 34' Classic Limited, with a 2003 Excursion.

The BrakeSmart is absolutely superb. Braking is totally transparent, with the trailer neither pushing or pulling the tow vehicle, no matter what the speed, and without constant adjusting.

Had a Prodigy previously - the difference between night and day. Others swear by the Jordan also, which has a mechanical link to the brake pedal.