After reading everything that I could find here on mounting a brake controller, it seems that the most popular spot is near the right side of the steering column. This Prodigy is my first experience with one, and I don't want to drill any extra holes in the dash of my '03 because I initially put it in the wrong place! Also, is a 40A fuse OK, or should I use a resetable breaker as some have suggested? All opinions are welcome!

Fuse should be ok. I am not a fan of resettable breakers because if you are tripping the breaker you have a problem that needs to be fixed anways.


I mounted mine beside the park brake release to the metal underneath. I have a low profile controller though. The prodigy might be too big.

The only time I would ever use a resettable breaker in a vehicle is on an alarm system.


2Blue

My Prodigy is mounted by my right knee, when driving. IF yoy are right handed, it allows QUICK EASY access durring a HOLY S#*T stop.

My Prodigy is mouted where the ash tray is drilled out 4 rivets removed installed prodigyhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

ash tray? The only thing resembling an ash tray in my truck is a cup with a lid that has a cigarette engraved on it. No screws or anything except gravity holding it down.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/A42_Prodigya.jpg


Here is where mine is. If you don't want to use screws, then either fabricate a mount that bends up and attaches to the holder for the Prodigy or use a high quality double-sided tape.


Dennis

ash tray? The only thing resembling an ash tray in my truck is a cup with a lid that has a cigarette engraved on it. No screws or anything except gravity holding it down.





99 though 02 had real pullout ashtrays.

2004.5 LS BENCH FEW HAVE INSTALLED HERE THERE IS ALLREADY A HOLE BEHIND ASHTRAY FOR WIREhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifThanks for all the help; will try to get to it this weekend. I saw one mounted on the dash; can't imagine that that is the best location. I'm leaning to the right side of the steering column, but had one last question. (OK, two) It's OK to mount in any position? Doesn't have to be level? Thanks again.

I don't have the Prodigy but mine has a little white lever that you need to angle verticle depending on which angle you mount it. So in other words there is limitations to how much of an angle you can mount it.

<DIV>Here's how I installed mine.</DIV>
<DIV>http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&amp;gid=3031094&amp;uid=1417387</DIV>

Where can I find this brake controller and how much are they?

www.campingworld.com (http://www.campingworld.com)


$119 if you are a "club member"


$132 if not

Thanks http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

rvwholesalers.com has them for $99.99....

The Prodigy can not be mounted at an angle over 70 degrees, I believe. Its because of the pendelem in it.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/A42_Prodigya.jpg


Here is where mine is. If you don't want to use screws, then either fabricate a mount that bends up and attaches to the holder for the Prodigy or use a high quality double-sided tape.


Dennis

That looks out of spec... needs to be closer to level.

It might be, but I've never had a problem with it. See, this is the ONE thing I have a shop do for me because I am trying to get everything done before I have to move, and it is screwed up. Of course the guys are 3500 miles away now, and no way to yell at 'em. Oh well, guess I should read the manual for the d*mn thing, huh?


Thanks, I'll check it out,
Dennis

Mines in the same postion. It works.

I think if it's out of alignment it will show red led bars accross.

Read the install directions.

Ah, see, now we arrive at the problem. The instructions, although I know they exist somewhere in this house, were packed, moved 3500 miles, moved around in the house, and have yet to be found. Maybe by the time I move again, I'll find 'em. Never had any bars or anything, it seems to have worked perfectly. Never know though. . . . It'd be just my luck, go down a hill, it gives out, trailer rolls over the top of the truck. Squash. That would suck. Guess I'd better start looking, huh?


Thanks,
Dennis

No wonder... looks like it's in your favor..
Full instructions here.. (http://www.tekonsha.com/instructions/Prodigy%20Instruc%207689_H%20web.pdf)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/ZZB_Untitled-TrueColor-01.jpgEdited by: hoot

hoot,


You beat me to it. I was just going to post a link to it. You got me wondering about it, but looks like everything is okay. They have a nice little website. I love the internet, but I've just about got it all surfed out.


Thanks again,
Dennis


http://www.tekonsha.com/instructions/Prodigy%20Instruc%207689_H%20web.pdf

Yea I hit the end of the internet about two years ago http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif Pretty scary

NOW what do we do?

http://www.mythologic.net/end http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

You too, huh?


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Dennis

OK I am sure Prodigy figured on this but what if you have it at the angle you have it at now and you go down a 6% grade, would it be out of its specs?

I go down a 6% grade semi regularly and haven't had a problem. Gotta admit though I had never thought about steep hills. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

P.S. I would think that you could still manually actuate your brakes (with lever)

I think you'd have to go down a REALLY steep hill. Even though in the picture it looks to be mounted at a very high angle. In reality it isn't that steep at all, probably only 40 degrees (maybe).


Dennis

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gifA special thanks to Zeeb for answering my fuse questions. I'm ready for the trailer now, well, almost; installing the hitch today.

I mounted mine in the same place under the dash on the right side of the steering wheel but I wish I would have mounted it a little bit more towards the center so it would be out of the way of my knee and give me that extra inch or two of leg room. I am thinking if I get into an accident that thing is going to jack up my knee and also I have an extra cab and when I need to move a little bit forward when someone is in the back my knee is right on that thing. Also I screwed mine in and I never thought about a good double sided tape. If I would have used tape I would relocate it but since I used screws I don't want to move it and have those two holes showing.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifI forgot to ask earlier, but can the controller be left in and the power to it when not towing? Or does it have to be disconnected, or the fuse removed? I'd rather leave it alone instead of taking it in and out all the time. Thanks.

I leave it power up all the time no problem

Mines been in my truck for two and a half years. Never thought about it.

Black Max,


No reason to take it out. It knows when it is connected or not. Theoretically, though, you would get better mileage with it out, because you could save the 4 ounces of weight and 1 milliamp of current draw with it disconnected.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Dennis

Smart A__! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all the answers. I didn't think that it would make a difference, but I just didn't know. Thought maybe the display would be on, and that wouldn't be good if it wasn't being used.

Smart A__! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Guilty as charged. . . http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif