Teckonsha Prodigy brake controllers - here we go again....

Sounds like I'm gunna have to plumb-up another switch. I wouldn't be bothered removing it whenever I'm not using it, but easy enough to re-wire either through a switch or maybe power-up via ignition circuit so it's only on when the donk is running.

Mr Fawlty

Thanks for that, now you know what I and many other will be doing to-night.

Regards

Wim

I reckon when I wired my Prodigy in I recall reading that the display stays on for 15 minutes or so after the ignition is turned off and then goes to sleep. I've noticed that this is the case in my Jack. Mind you, I've not tested the current draw with the display on or off. Not real keen to give it a go either - it's a real back breaker to get under the dash. Rob.

I have had the Prodigy for 2 years and never had this problem.
It's always left hooked up, but then again my vehicle is used at least once a week.

Nice one Fawlty - you nearly got away with that one. But,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I leave mine plugged in all the time but now, yes you're right Fawlty. I am a little more impressed with you.

So now, maybe I won't

;)

Bilbo

Hi Mr Fawlty,
I was gonna fit one of them in my vehicle and an auto sparky told me not to as they have a habit of flattening Batteries.
I went to a Redarc unit and haven't had a problem.

Regards

Franga

I had my Evakool fridge running for 4 days at Glasshouse Mountains CP without starting the Jack, and also had the prodigy installed the whole time. If the Prodigy was drawing 1/2 amp for 4 days that would be 48 amps out of the battery (the battery is AGM 100aH), plus what the fridge needed which would be say 30% operational = 28 hours @ 2.5amp = 70 amps for a total drain of 118 amps out of the 100aH battery plus it then started the car no dramas.

Obviously that can't be true - the Prodigy must go to sleep after a short period.

Methinks the real problem is not with the Prodigy, but with your dead batteries.

After 5 years on standard lead acid batteries you have had a bonus year of operation, IMHO. My first Jack battery lasted exactly 4 years. Second one was taken out and the AGM put in after the next 4 years, it was still OK but useless for long term fridge running (as are all Lead Acid).

I also think the autolec who bags a Prodigy is wrong, probably self-serving so he can sell something else he has on the shelf.

A search of the forum will reveal very many happy Prodigy owners.

Thanks for the tip - mine was put in our Jack by a pro installer - might have a look for a fuse that could easily be pulled (easier than putting in a switch) - I have been aware for some time that there is a circuit or two still running in the Jack after it goes to bed - can hear a bit of cyclic 'buzzing' at times on the HF if I'm playing - may be the brake controller, or any number of other wheelygigs that the makers design in, to drive us all mad !

Mr Fawlty

Had mine in for about 12 months, vehicle not used for 1 month straight (no charge on battery etc), voltage drop was minimal after that time, with Prodigy still connected (only showing 1 little dot). I reckon it's probably not wired properly, or there is something else wrong somewhere in your vehicle. Mind you, 5 yrs is pretty good out of a battery. It may just be that they both went together.

But they way, I've got a 99 TD JAck, one of the 1st things I did was change the battery on the driver's side over to a 700cca calcium fully sealed battery, gives plenty of grunt, even in freezing conditions (using the right oil of course - if you dont' know what I'm talking about do a search on this forum about TD JAcks and oil). Then I had the electrical rigged so all vehicle power came from this battery. Fitted an auxillary battery on the other side using a simple bracket from TJM, isolated by a Pirahna isolator. Works a treat, aux power is priceless when camping.

Hope this helps

D-Jack

Problem solved! After sending off an email to the Tekonsha people in the USA and describing my problem I have just recieved an email telling me to take both the unit and a copy of the email to my nearest Tekonsha dealer and get the unit replaced. These should only draw a "few mA" while idle and my figures would indicate that there may be an internal fault... so maybe not today, maybe not tommorrow but soon and for the rest of the limited lifetime warranty I shall keep the Prodigy...

Investigated mine - the pro installer has it running via a fusible link (toggles in and out but does not burn out) - was going to pull the fuse to disconnect it when not in use, but there is nothing to pull ! Have installed a switch in the feed line, just before the control unit - can turn it off and on in the cab. I ran a test and on my meter it was drawing up to .4A while connected to nothing (as you say) - bit odd - mine seems to oscillate between - .2A and .4A - seems a controlled, continuous cycle. Whatever - with all the wiring I've done on the Jack over 7 years, decomissioning it for resale will be a huge pain !