Using Prodigy RF Trailer Brake Controller on a Camper Trailer with Battery

Question:

I am wanting to install the Prodigy RF on a TT being towed by a 2004 Honda Pilot. The TT has a battery that I would like to keep charged through the tow vehicle. I have the 4 to 7 way harness adaptor but am wondering how many hot leads I need to run to the battery. If I only hook up a hot lead to the brake wire on the 7 way adapter, will the camper battery receive power, through the Prodigy RF or do I need to run a separate wire for the battery?

asked by: Chris

Expert Reply:

I suspect you are using a 4-pole to 7-pole adapter on your 2004 Honda Pilot, such as TowReady # 30717. You will need to run only one 12V power wire to provide both power to operate the Prodigy RF and battery charging current for your trailer battery.

You will need a 40-amp circuit breaker and 10-gauge wire for the 12V feed to the 7-way on the Pilot. You can use circuit breaker # PK54540 from Pollack, which features a continuous cycle with an automatic reset; and for the power wire you can use part # 10-1-1 which is 10-gauge blue wire sold by the foot.

You will connect the breaker between the positive terminal on your tow vehicle battery and the blue wire, which will then be run to the 7-way adapter. The blue wire carrying power will connect to the black wire on the 7-way. Please refer to the photo example provided; see the red arrow. If your adapter does not have a butt connector you can use part # 05732-2 to connect the 12V wire to the lead on the 7-way. Please refer to the linked article on trailer wiring that shows how 7-way vehicle and trailer connectors are typically wired.

When you plug your trailer 7-way connector into the receptacle on the Prodigy RF box the 12V power feed from the vehicle will be present at that receptacle and will provide charging current for the trailer battery.

expert reply by: Adam R