Prodigy brake controller

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:01

ThreadID: 63655 Views:2599 Replies:7 FollowUps:9

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Member - lyndon K (SA)

Hi
I have a Tvan and am using a Prodigy brake controller. I have caught the brake wires on a root or log on one side of the van and ripped them off. I have had the wires repaired but brakes still don’t work. Controller is reading 0.00
Which means there is a connection otherwise it would read .C.
I have tried the override switch but this give no reading other than 0.00 even when under load. I have yet to try to adjust the controller itself (need to find the manual). Is it possible that the unit could have “lost” the settings.
I have been told if this were the case the override switch would still work.
I am in Darwin.
Thanks for your help.
Regards Lyndon

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Reply By: Member - Grant (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:22

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:22

You may find the wiring has been broken inside the insulation, you will have go point to point with a multimeter to check continuity of the wiring cores.

Have a good one and I hope this helps

AnswerID: 336038

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:25

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:25

Thanks Grant
The guy who "fixed it" say he has tested the wiring and that there is continuity.

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FollowupID: 603712

Follow Up By: Member - Grant (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:35

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:35

Lyndon,
if you have a mate whos trailer is fitted with electric brakes you will be able to hook your vehicle to it and see if the controller is ok, at least that will tell you if is in the trailer or the vehicle.

FollowupID: 603714

Reply By: swampy66 - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:45

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 14:45

Lyndon,

email me : roopaw at westnet dot com dot au

ive scanned the manual - ill send you a copy. although im not sure if it will help.

cheers.

swampy

AnswerID: 336045

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:14

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:14

Thanks for that, if i cant find it i will drop you a line.
Cheers Lyndon

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Place faith not in tomorrow
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FollowupID: 603755

Reply By: Dunaruna - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 15:48

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 15:48

Pull the override lever all the way to the left, hold it there. Adjust the blue thumbwheel, all the way in will read 0, all the way out will read 12 (this is the voltage output of the prodigy). Most vans are happy with a setting of 6 or 7. Release the override lever. That's it, nothing else to do. The prodigy does not have a setting memory, it's all done by the thumbwheel.

Someone has adjusted it to zero or the wiring fopar has fried the circuits.

AnswerID: 336057

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:11

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:11

yes, maybe it's fried?

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FollowupID: 603754

Follow Up By: Dunaruna - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:56

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:56

Try the adjustment first. Do the brake lights work on the van? Is the prodigy wired through a circuit breaker?

FollowupID: 603764

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 18:58

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 18:58

Thanks, yes the brake lights work. Not sure about the circiut breaker, though the unit is getting power.

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Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 16:26

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 16:26

Mine reads 'nc' for no connection, and c for connection.

Do the brakes work on the road when you manually override?
i.e. can you lock up both wheels on the trailer?

AnswerID: 336061

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:08

Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 17:08

brakes don't work, full stop :)

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Reply By: hexrunt - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 14:11

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 14:11

Like the person before me, mine registers "C" when connected. If yours has zero, then I would expect something to be wrong. It seems like it is activated but won't pass a proper voltage (or something ???)

You say that the brake lights come on. So a connection must be there but it doesn't appear powerful enough to activate the brakes. I am guessing but that would lead to me to suspect the wiring is not capable because it is damaged. Or maybe it has been ripped out from the brake activating unit, or maybe the brakes themselves are worn out and so not engaging on the drum.

Good luck,
hexrunt

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AnswerID: 336202