Can the Prodigy RF Brake Controller be Powered Using a Trailer Mounted Battery

Question:

The Prodigy controller needs a 12Vw/circuit breaker feed to operate along with the normal brake/turn signal wiring. I have a 4-wire connector and was wondering if I could use the battery that is on the trailer to power the 12V instead of running a wire from the vehicles battery to the backsort of defeats the purpose of the wireless if I have to run a wire anyways. Any disadvantages to this? I can see if the battery goes dead I am out of trailer brakes as the only downfall but cant see anything else.

asked by: Ed

Expert Reply:

Like you said, if the battery goes dead on the trailer, no brakes. That should be enough of a deterrent considering what could happen if suddenly you had no trailer brakes! Also, as the power decreases on the trailer battery the brakes will fade and should the breakaway need to be activated there may not be enough power to stop the runaway trailer.

The Prodigy RF, # TK94FR, plugs into a 7-Way trailer connector on a vehicle anyway so it is not much extra work to wire up the 12 volt circuit using # 37185, # 10-1-1 wire, and a 40 amp circuit breaker # PK54540.

For safety and to avoid any warranty issues with the RF I recommend following the manufacturers installation instructions which I have linked. I also linked a video showing a typical installation for you.

expert reply by: Michael H