Posted 2007-07-04 3:59 PM (#63283) Subject: Prodigy and LED
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
There has been nuerous post about the Prodigy brake controller not working with LED lights. Before I spend $300 for LED lights, I want to make sure that I won't have a problem. Has anyone had any problems?
Posted 2007-07-04 6:21 PM (#63292 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I had a Prodigy controller on my previous truck and it would cause the middle tail light to "pulse". Didn't affect the functionality but pretty annoying to follow.
Posted 2007-07-04 6:30 PM (#63293 - in reply to #63292) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by headhunter on 2007-07-04 7:21 PM
I had a Prodigy controller on my previous truck and it would cause the middle tail light to "pulse". Didn't affect the functionality but pretty annoying to follow.
sounds like you have a wiring problem? the prodigy "pulses" the brake wire (to check for a trailer), not the tail lights.
Posted 2007-07-04 8:57 PM (#63299 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
Thanks to everyone that replied either through this forum of by PM. The concenus is that I will have no problem, I just wanted to make sure before I buy the LED's.
Posted 2007-07-04 9:43 PM (#63302 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
I know what ya mean, headhunter. The brake/tail light over the rear doors would "pulse". Ours does the same thing, it's probably out there doin' it right now! It's NOT a wireing issue. I've talked to numerous different folks about it. It seems that the L.E.D.'s are just so sensitive that they are picking up the "test pulse" that the Prodigy is putting out. That, I can understand, BUT, my question then is "why are the other four brakelights not pulsing along with the one up top?" I don't know and neither does anyone else, but everything works fine. I had thought about cutting the "brake" wire going to it so that it is only an ID bar, and not a ID bar/brake light. One of the great mysteries of life. To the OP, that is the only "problem" that I've ever heard of, doesn't effect any other lights (all LED's) on our wagon. You shouldn't have any problems....light 'er up like a Chrstmas tree!!!
Posted 2007-07-05 6:28 AM (#63318 - in reply to #63302) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by Broken Bit on 2007-07-04 9:43 PMI know what ya mean, headhunter. The brake/tail light over the rear doors would "pulse". Ours does the same thing, it's probably out there doin' it right now! It's NOT a wireing issue. I've talked to numerous different folks about it. It seems that the L.E.D.'s are just so sensitive that they are picking up the "test pulse" that the Prodigy is putting out. That, I can understand, BUT, my question then is "why are the other four brakelights not pulsing along with the one up top?" I don't know and neither does anyone else, but everything works fine. I had thought about cutting the "brake" wire going to it so that it is only an ID bar, and not a ID bar/brake light. One of the great mysteries of life. To the OP, that is the only "problem" that I've ever heard of, doesn't effect any other lights (all LED's) on our wagon. You shouldn't have any problems....light 'er up like a Chrstmas tree!!!
now that makes a little more sense, brake lights and tail lights are 2 different circuits.........most of the time. if you guys are talking about those light bars that use the middle light as a 3rd brake light that would make sense (otherwise power crossing over from the brake to the tail light circuit is a problem). they usually use a double led, as opposed to multiple led in the main brake lights. the podigy pulse could be (apparently is) enough to make the smaller light come on.
Posted 2007-07-06 8:25 AM (#63381 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Elite Veteran
Posts: 795 Location: Tenn/Ala.
It isn't pulsing the 4 regular brake lights because they are actually brake/turn lights and are not connected to the brake line that the controller uses. It is apparent that the trailers in question have a Center High Mount Stop Light (CHMSL for short) that actually uses a pulse from the brakes for activation. If it didn't operate that way- it would come on with the turn signal it was connected to. If you look at your wiring plug diagrams, you'll see there is no "brake light" wire, just turn signals. Same lights.
RTSmith
Posted 2007-07-06 12:23 PM (#63391 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
BINGO, that makes perfect sense! Don't know why I didn't think of that a long time ago. It's not a differance in L.E.D.'s, or even L.E.D. VS. standard bulb, but a differance in where the light is getting its power from. (electric brake activation wire VS. brake lmp./turn signal circuit) Well that mystery is solved, on to the next one, what can we do about these hay prices? hmmmm.........
Posted 2007-07-06 5:18 PM (#63404 - in reply to #63381) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by RTSmith on 2007-07-06 9:25 AM
It isn't pulsing the 4 regular brake lights because they are actually brake/turn lights and are not connected to the brake line that the controller uses. It is apparent that the trailers in question have a Center High Mount Stop Light (CHMSL for short) that actually uses a pulse from the brakes for activation. If it didn't operate that way- it would come on with the turn signal it was connected to. If you look at your wiring plug diagrams, you'll see there is no "brake light" wire, just turn signals. Same lights. H1
well if that is the case, then it is a wiring problem. if the id bar/brake light combo is supposed to be a brake light too, it should be hooked to the brake (or as mentioned, L and R signal) light circuit, NOT to the electric brake circuit??????????? this actually makes more sense than the current leak/crossover theory ive been thinking about for a few days.
Posted 2007-07-07 8:26 AM (#63419 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Elite Veteran
Posts: 795 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Chad, If you hook to one of the other two circuits, then it would flash with the turn signals also- not good. There is a "logic box" type of converter that trailer folks use for vehicles where the turn & brake lights are separate (before the new GM trucks, the old rule was if it had yellow turn signals, you'd need the converter. It had inputs for legt turn, right turn, marker lights, ground, and brake lights. It then had outputs for LT & RT on the trailer) . I'm sure that it would be possible to reverse engineer one to run a brake lasmp only.. Of all the trailer brands we carry and have serviced, I've not yet seen one of these with LED CHMSL. But I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't run just off of the brake circuit. The LED shouldn't pull enough amperage to have an effect on braking effectiveness & it would be a neat feature. Except when you have a Prodigy...! But you know- the Prodigy automatically shuts off after a few minutes of inactivity. So I presume this flashing quits then also.??
RTSmith
Posted 2007-07-07 3:16 PM (#63430 - in reply to #63419) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by RTSmith on 2007-07-07 9:26 AM
Chad, If you hook to one of the other two circuits, then it would flash with the turn signals also- not good. There is a "logic box" type of converter that trailer folks use for vehicles where the turn & brake lights are separate (before the new GM trucks, the old rule was if it had yellow turn signals, you'd need the converter. It had inputs for legt turn, right turn, marker lights, ground, and brake lights. It then had outputs for LT & RT on the trailer) . I'm sure that it would be possible to reverse engineer one to run a brake lasmp only.. Of all the trailer brands we carry and have serviced, I've not yet seen one of these with LED CHMSL. But I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't run just off of the brake circuit. The LED shouldn't pull enough amperage to have an effect on braking effectiveness & it would be a neat feature. Except when you have a Prodigy...! But you know- the Prodigy automatically shuts off after a few minutes of inactivity. So I presume this flashing quits then also.?? RTSmith
the brake light/id bar combo i was looking at (couldnt decide between it or the one w/spotlights.....so i havent changed) had a typical flat 4 wire, green, yellow, brown, and white??????? maybe it didnt flash, or maybe it flashed one side like a turn signal........how about one of you guys checking that? im familiar with the "logic box" you refered to, put one on a guys toyota tacoma on friday. i guess im just going to have to buy one of these id light things and conduct some tests, assuming my P3 pulses like the prodigy did. wheres my trailer emulator? that i can check right now. either way im still holding to the fact that if ANY brake light is connected to the electric brake circuit it has been wired wrong.
Posted 2007-07-08 2:41 PM (#63462 - in reply to #63283) Subject: RE: Prodigy and LED
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
RTSmith, yes the prodigy does "shut off" after a few minutes of inactivity, but the pulsing DOES NOT. It will continue to pulse that center mount brake light just as long as the wagon is pluged into the T.V., minutes, hours, or days! One of these days when I get a little bit of time, I will pull the light off the trailer to snoop around and see how it's wired in. Talk to y'all later...
Prodigy and LED
