|
03-17-2004, 10:24 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 30
|
Question for Prodigy Brake Control Owner
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
|
|
|
03-17-2004, 11:36 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2001 34' Limited
The State of
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,605
|
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.
__________________
Maurice
|
|
|
03-18-2004, 04:31 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
|
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
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
|
|
|
03-18-2004, 04:53 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1976 27' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 755
|
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
|
|
|
03-18-2004, 06:49 AM
|
#6
|
Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
|
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!
|
|
|
03-18-2004, 11:01 AM
|
#7
|
418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
|
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
|
|
|
03-18-2004, 04:18 PM
|
#8
|
2 Rivet Member
1988 34' Excella
1993 30' Excella
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 51
|
Brake Controller
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.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|