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06-10-2017, 05:29 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Problem with trailer brakes
On our second or third trip I noticed the camper shoving us when braking. My first generation Prodigy is saying overload. I found a missing grommet on the right rear axle where the brake wire exits and it looked like the insulation was worn through. I taped it up and the dealer added some heavy duty caulk to keep things from moving around.
That hasn't fixed the problem. The Prodigy is still going into overload and dropping the brakes. It seems to get worse if I use the brakes several times in a row.
Looking for ideas on troubleshooting. This model of Prodigy is supposed to be good to three axles and never have me any trouble with my dual axle hybrid.
I'm thinking of cutting the brake feed from the left rear to the right rear and isolate that side. Three brakes are better than none. (What kind of weather TIGHT connector would I use to splice it back together?)
I'm hoping I don't have to pull hubs to check magnets. I do have a multi-meter with me.
The dealer is not close to home so if like to just get this sorted out myself.
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__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-10-2017, 06:36 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,234
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Problem with trailer brakes
I wouldn't start cutting wires. Without Knowing for sure which wheel is causing the issue you could be removing a "good" brake.
We use these:
http://www.usledsupply.com/shop/wate...connector.html
Not those exact ones but similar, filled with dielectric grease. I'm thinking without an amp gauge, your not going to isolate the problem, so if you can get a bunch of those style connectors you could eliminate 1 wheel at a time and reconnect. 2 per wheel means 8 total. You will need to get 3 wire connectors for one side, as the brake lead comes out of the underbelly usually on the road side.
Just noticed I sort of contradicted myself. Long day at work...yeah that's the reason!
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-10-2017, 07:00 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
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When I did my brake job last year I used waterproof heat activated regular style butt connectors from auto parts store and used heat shrink over them. So far so good.
I would have used Chucks if I knew of them.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
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06-10-2017, 07:43 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 44
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Sounds like the same problem I had a couple years back, of course it started when I had to drive 1200 km through the mountains. I isolated the rear axle but it was still overloading. Turned out to need all new magnets and it's been great since!
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06-11-2017, 07:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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I just measured the resistance at the Bargman and it's under 2 ohms. What should I be seeing? I may have my wife watch the meter while I wiggle wires underneath.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-11-2017, 08:40 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuxCamper
I just measured the resistance at the Bargman and it's under 2 ohms. What should I be seeing? I may have my wife watch the meter while I wiggle wires underneath.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
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Measured a bit better. Resistance looks correct for 4 brakes.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-11-2017, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,897
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I know this may seem obvious, but are you sure your controller is not the problem? A rig that new shouldn't be having brake issues like this.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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06-11-2017, 11:56 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,234
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I don't know what the resistance should be as we measure amp draw. Average is 12-14 with brakes applied.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-11-2017, 01:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobbecky
I know this may seem obvious, but are you sure your controller is not the problem? A rig that new shouldn't be having brake issues like this.
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After I got home from my weekend trip I drove around the neighborhood playing with the controller with different boost settings, higher set points and the manual override. The manual override might trip out the first time but the second time it would be fine. I was delivering 7+ volts according to the prodigy and all was fine. So I am wondering if it is the controller.
This is even happens when I'm moving at very slow rates so it can't be jiggling wires too much. When I'm stopped I can hold a constant voltage. That does point to a magnet issue.
Anybody in the Bucks County Pennsylvania area that can loan me a Prodigy (original and/or newer generations) so I can test this? Or let me bring you mine?
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-11-2017, 01:08 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
I don't know what the resistance should be as we measure amp draw. Average is 12-14 with brakes applied.
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I should have multi quoted this.
Where would you place an ammeter to measure the current?
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-11-2017, 01:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 616
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Mark: I had a problem last year where my brakes were not engaging evenly. At the time I was using the Prodigy Brake Controller. It was showing the overload display at times. Long story short, it was the controller. The RV dealer where I purchased the controller, changed it out with the Prodigy P2 and it fixed the problem. Hope this helps!
__________________
JimQ
2012 Ford F 250 Super Duty Lariat 6.2 ; 3.73
2022 KZ C271BKHSE
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06-11-2017, 01:46 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: apple valley ca
Posts: 28
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If you feel comfortable doing it, pull a couple of hubs and physically look at your brake assembly's, if not get a handy friend, or stand there while your dealer does it. Your unit is fairly new and it's possible the brakes were overcooked by whoever towed it from the mid west. Nothing beats a straight on look at the brake pads and magnets. I had to replace all of my brake assembly's on my 2016 fz371 as they were completely worn out by whoever brought it out west from the factory. Also, keystone did a horrible job of running the wires to the axle and they had rubbed on the tire all through my 300 mile trip home.
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06-11-2017, 02:48 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuxCamper
I should have multi quoted this.
Where would you place an ammeter to measure the current?
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
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We normally use the break away. One side is hot from battery, clamp on the otherside (out to brakes) and pull the pin.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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06-11-2017, 03:03 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
We normally use the break away. One side is hot from battery, clamp on the otherside (out to brakes) and pull the pin.
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Thank you! I'll try to do that this evening.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-11-2017, 04:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BuxCamper
Thank you! I'll try to do that this evening.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
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Dang! My meters only go up to 10 amps. I have an old Amprobe clamp on but that only does AC.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-13-2017, 06:54 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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I replaced the cross feed wire on the rear axle. The Prodigy now indicates power to the brakes when I hit the TV's brake or the manual override while stopped. Previously i would often get 0.0 when standing still.
I won't be able to road test until this weekend.
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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06-13-2017, 07:00 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,234
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Prodigy is a proportional braking controller. When your sitting still, 0.0 is normal.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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07-02-2017, 06:31 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Apologies for letting this drop. Been busy with other things the past couple of weeks.
Long story short, finally took camper out on a short trip. Brakes still acting up. From some really short stops (rolled a foot and applied brakes) I'm starting to think it's in a hub. I plan to jack up each wheel, spin it, have some one apply the brakes and see if overload occurs.
From everything I've found on the Web it could be in the hub, wiring or controller. I unfortunately don't have a clamp on meter that can measure DC current.
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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07-02-2017, 08:32 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,021
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__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
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07-02-2017, 09:31 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
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Excellent! I still have a Sears near me. I have to run an errand shortly. I may stop by.
With the begrudging help of my son I jacked up each wheel, spun it and had him hit the manual override. Both right side wheels tripped an overload. Left side was fine. Now do I want to bring it some place or pull hubs myself?
Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk
__________________
-- Mark
I used a multi-billion dollar government satellite navigation system to look for a rubber chicken in a tree!
2017 Bullet 248RKS towed by a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L V8 W/ AFM
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