Will Vibration Cause the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller # 90195 To Falsely Apply the Brakes

Question:

If the P3 proportional brake controller is mounted in such a fashion that it can vibrate, for example from poor wheel balance, etc will this vibration affect the function of the brake controller? I understand this type controller functions from an inertia accelerometer. My concern is will a vibration cause the controller to falsely apply the trailer brakes.

asked by: Marc P

Expert Reply:

The Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Brake Controller, part # 90195, uses an inertia accelerometer that is activated by a pendulum circuit that senses the vehicles stopping motion and applies the correct amount of voltage to the trailers brakes. It is mainly reacting to the lateral movement of the tow vehicle and not the overall movement that a vibration would cause.

The Prodigy P3 brake controller could be affected by vibration, but the vibration would have to be so bad that you would probably not be driving the vehicle. Slight vibration like from wheel balance would not affect the accelerometer and cause false braking.

The Prodigy P3 does have to be mounted between - 90 degree (straight down) and 90 degree (straight up). With the brake controller mounted correctly and adjusted properly the trailer should slow down at the same rate as the tow vehicle.

I am including a link to the installation instructions on the P3 brake controller and a link to a FAQ page on brake controllers.

expert reply by: Jeff D