Hi All Im New To Caravaning

Hi Steve,

Regarding the reversing lights, while there is a pin on the plug reserved for reversing/auxiliary (pin no 3), many vans do not have reversing lights fitted but as far as know this is perfectly legal.

Since the Prodigy is showing a voltage when connected to the van, it must be connected ok and sensing a load. The prodigy will tell you if there is an open circuit or an overload. Assuming all is well electrically, then I would suggest that your brakes may need adjusting on the van as with 12 volts going to them, they should be working pretty hard or locking up. If the adjustment is out and there is too large a gap between the drum and brake shoes, then braking will be reduced.

Cheers
Gerry

G'day Steve,

As a followup to Gerry's reply, may I suggest you check out the following link:-

Electric Brake Troubleshooter


Bill.

Hi Steve.I just had my van brakes serviced yesterday.I also have the Prodgy set up.The tec drove along the bitumen at around 40km and pulled the manual lever to engage the vans brakes.It read 9 on the readout and he was satisfied that it was braking evenly with the cars brakes ie: not too soon and not too late.He did mention that it may take another 300 odd km to get the brakes to wear in properly and that it might end up dropping down to aroung 7-8 by this time.
Hope this helps.

I have never had mine lock up either ! but remember they are inertia brakes so the more you stomp on the brake pedal the more they will supply braking to the trailer wheels, You don't wan't them to lock up.

The other thing with the Prodigy is when there wound up to nearly full voltage the brakes tend to grab or stick on ! for a brief moment, when you drive off each time at the lights.

So yeah 6 I find is about the best for a smooth drive and yes they do need to warm up ! next to useless for a few k's when cold.

Cheers.

Hi steve, Last week I was playing around with the lights and electric breaks and thought it was unusual not to have reverse lights. I didn't realise till then.
Sharon

1. Brakes - had a similar problem with my CT brakes when i first installed them, with a prodigy. Braked OK, sort of, but couldn't get lock up as per the instructions. Ended up being the earth. Ran a good earth wire from the 7 pin plug back to the battery, as well earthing it locally. Made sure the trailer was well earthed through the plug, and it came up good.
Few people here helped me on that one.

As said above, electric drum brakes do come on stronger after a few stops too.
I always like to touch my brakes a couple of times coming into a town to warm them up, or use the booster function on the controller for the first little while, then back it off.



2. Reversing lights. Yep, quite normal for installers not to hook up reverse. Not sure if you have a 7 pin plug, or the flat plug. 7 pin plugs have a reversing connection, but it is often used for 12v power to the van, if it is connected at all. I find most tow bar people/plug installers use 5 core cable, that is stop lights, parking lights, left and right indicator, and earth. Leaves reverse/power and electric brakes empty.

Hi Everyone,

firstly let me say thank you to you all, it has given me lots of things to think about and discuss with others, the insight into workings is great. Hopefully I will hook the van up on monday as im not working monday through thursday and will give it a go. As for the reversing lights, i checked the wiring and the installer has used the reversing pin for the trailer power ( i believe its called a hot wire or 12 volt feed wire) so its all good.

Once again thank you all for your thoughts and look forward to more chats along the way. Hope you dont mind me picking your brains from time to time

cheers
steve