brake module
 

I need a brake module for my truck.

I have never installed one, used one once.

Im not looking to spend a fortune, but what is a decent one and how hard are they to hook up?

I couldn't even begin to tell you which one is best for the $$...maybe a sponsor will hit this one...

Prodigy, best on the market unless your lookin to spend some serious money. Just buy the adapter plug that goes with your truck and it's just plug and play. Mount the controllor to your dash, plug it in and your brakin. The Prodigy also comes with a user CD that explains how to use it.

I have a Jordan Ultima 2020, very nice controller but pretty spendy.

There are two basic types of controllers. The inertia type works off momentum and has no link to the effect of braking actually being done. Then there are the ones that are directly pourportionate to the amount of braking done. They are connected to the brake pedal or brake system in most cases.

The Prodigy and cheaper controllers are the inertia type and work well on evering thing but liquid loads. The Jordan Ultima and Brake Smart are pourportionate type controllers and are the high dollar units. But they work well with all loads and all conditions.

A brake controller is not something I personally would skimp on. I've been there, got the pictures to prove what happens when they fail. So spend your money on a quality controller like the prodigy, jordan, or brake smart and stay away from the el cheapo wal-mart specials.

how do I get the vehicle specific adapter plug?
I found a few prodigies on ebay but it doesnt say anything about an adapter.

whats wrong with the Primus one?
I didnt see much different with them besides price.

will this harness work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...QQcmdZViewItem

I'm not familiar with the Primus controllers so I couldn't tell ya.

they are made by the same company as the prodigy

this is the harness I'll need for the prodigy or primus.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Brake...QQcmdZViewItem

The Primus is more sensitive on where you mount it, it has to be on a much more flat surface to work. the Prodigy can go at just about any angle so you can mount it about anywhere you want.

ahh. I can see that as being a benefit.

Im still not getting the level surface theory. now this trailer has electric actuated brakes so why would it matter if the unit is level or not?
it should just be a signal or not.
with the controllers Ive used they have been adjustable so if you had a light load you could adjust the dial so it brakes less. I remember that controller being on the floor and picking it up to use it and putting it back on the floor.

To simplify the explanation, there is a pendelum in the brake controller that adjust how hard the trailer brakes are applied. When you truck is stopping you are applying forward momentum to the pendelum and it adjust braking force proportionatly.

If you remember your old brake controllor you either had one of the cheap ones that worked off your brake light switch. With these you were either not stopping that trailer or you were locking up the tires, there was no in between. Or you had one of the good ones that tapped into the brake hydraulics themselves and used the truck braking sysytem to control the trailer. These worked great, but a pain to install and they had a habit of leaking. When they leaked your truck brakes were affected even when not hooked up to a trailer. The trailer brakes were also complicated on these, so they weren't a good set up for your weekend homeowner hauler that makes up 90% of the market today.

I understand now.

it makes sense.

so if the controller says it applies force proportional to what is requested it uses the pendulum to sense this.

In a very simplified way of saying it, By George I think you've got it. In real life it's way more complicated then that, but that is what it boils down to. The better controllers are also programmed to accomidate mounting on an angle by adjusting this stystem to match the angle. Don't ask me how they do this. If you notice the lesser models have to be mounted at only very slight angles and some have to be completely level.

yeah the module I used in the past was either on or off. but you could adjust how much the brake was on. so it didn't work as well as the inertia ones