Wildwilly101
Central PA
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Joined: 01/31/2006
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Howdy,
I've been using the Prodigy for a few years now and love it, but the daughter needs a brake controller for her new truck, so I was thinking of giving her the Prodigy and trying out the new Tekonsha P3. On their web site I can't really see any difference in braking features between the two controllers, only user features. Does anyone here use one, and are there any differences in performance between the two that can be noticed? Thanks !
W.W.
* This post was
edited 10/01/08 10:31am by Wildwilly101 *
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mikhen
oley, pa
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Joined: 05/29/2006
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I have the P3, never had a Prodigy. It was mentioned on here some time ago that the only differences are morwe features, such as language, display color, etc, and a better display. I got mine on Ebay for just over $100. If it wasn't for that price, I would have gotten the Prodigy.
2002 Avalanche 2500
2006 Fleetwood Terry 300BH
Equal-i-zer
Tekonsha P3
Beer
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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I use the P3 but never used the Prodigy. Before the P3 I used the Tekonsa Voyager, big difference there.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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wintek
Shreveport, Louisiana
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Here is the response I received from Tekonsha when I asked this question last year.
Good Afternoon;
Thank you for choosing Tekonsha for your towing needs.
The Prodigy is the best control on the market for electric brakes. The P-3 has pretty much the same technology as the Prodigy with the exceptiong that the P-3 will work with the new electric over hydraulic braking systems.
So, either controller would work great with your application.
If there is anything more that I can do to assist, please let me know.
Have a great day !!
Charlene Clark
Technical Service Representative
Cequent Electrical Products
101 Spires Parkway
Tekonsha, MI. 49094
888-785-5832
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Dieselgem
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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I have towed with both and currently use a P3 on my new truck rather than the Ford factory controller. The only difference is that the P3 gives you the option to tow with electric over hydraulic brakes. I would spring for the few extra dollars and go with the P3.
08-KZ Escalade 41'CKS Escalade Pics
2008 F450 Super DutyTruck Pics
97 & 2003 FLSTS
2003 FLSTC (Wife's)
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wileecoyote
Tennessee, USA
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Joined: 09/02/2008
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I just researched the same exact issue to buy my first brake controller. I decided to get the P3 because it was newer, highly recommended, and had more options. I just recently installed it and noticed several differences which made it well worth the extra $20 or so:
- The controls are all mounted on the front vertical face, not the top or side of the case. This is important to me since I mounted it in a recessed dash compartment that limits access to the side and top of the controller. If I had selected a model with thumb wheels or controls on the top then I would have been limited in my choice of mounting locations and methods.
- You can change the display contrast, brightness, and color. Sounds like a minor difference until you are towing for 10-12 hours at a clip and then you have a hideous bright orange light in your peripheral vision the entire way. With the P3 I was able to change the display color to match my vehicle dash lights and adjust it for perfect viewing without being too bright or distracting.
- It came with several mounting brackets and options including a quick-disconnect bracket which made it quite easy to mount securely and install or remove quickly. Some other units only have one bracket and this could limit your mounting locations.
I paid $119 for my P3 which included free shipping and no tax. The ebay seller was "gobatelli" and this is the link to their store.
Good luck!
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Wildwilly101
Central PA
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Howdy,
Thanks for all the info, I ordered a P3 last evening. So now I can install the Prodigy into my daughter's truck. The good news is it's a Dodge too, so just unplug and plug back in again. Thanks again.
W.W.
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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The P3 is bascially the same controller with a few added features. One thing I know is the P3 allows you to display the amps drawn by the brakes. This can be important as most only displaying voltage, the voltage wont make a distinction with brake quantity. Voltage on 1 solenoid will read the same across 4 solenoids.
Reading amps (typical brake solenoid draws 2.5-3.5 amps each at 12VDC) you can pretty much determine if all the solenoids are working. Once you know what your max amp draw is, if you can only reach about 3/4 or less, you can probably rightly assume one of your solenoids is not connected/working. It can be a useful feature.
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
I was born in Great Falls, Mt. My parents moved when I was 5.
I found them when I was 10 - they were in California.
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Dieselgem
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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wileecoyote wrote:I just researched the same exact issue to buy my first brake controller. I decided to get the P3 because it was newer, highly recommended, and had more options. I just recently installed it and noticed several differences which made it well worth the extra $20 or so:
- The controls are all mounted on the front vertical face, not the top or side of the case. This is important to me since I mounted it in a recessed dash compartment that limits access to the side and top of the controller. If I had selected a model with thumb wheels or controls on the top then I would have been limited in my choice of mounting locations and methods.
- You can change the display contrast, brightness, and color. Sounds like a minor difference until you are towing for 10-12 hours at a clip and then you have a hideous bright orange light in your peripheral vision the entire way. With the P3 I was able to change the display color to match my vehicle dash lights and adjust it for perfect viewing without being too bright or distracting.
- It came with several mounting brackets and options including a quick-disconnect bracket which made it quite easy to mount securely and install or remove quickly. Some other units only have one bracket and this could limit your mounting locations.
I paid $119 for my P3 which included free shipping and no tax. The ebay seller was "gobatelli" and this is the link to their store.
Good luck!
Be sure to mount the P3 level as the instructions direct.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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Dieselgem wrote:
Be sure to mount the P3 level as the instructions direct.
As far as I know, the controller does not have to be level as pictured in your post. It can be angled up to face the driver. When they say level, they are talking about it being lined up straight fore and aft. This will allow the sensor to work properly. It really doesn't care if it is level up and down (up to a certain point).
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch
2002 Ford F250 Super Duty, 7.3L PSD
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