[VAC] Prodigy brake controller installation - a BREEZE

["Carol and Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I recently purchased a new Chevy pickup for my tow vehicle and decided to
try the new Tekonsha Prodigy electronic brake controller.  It was highly
recommended by several local sources.

Apparently the unit uses a different inertial sensor (from the pendulum) and
hence does not have to be set at a critical angle, will work going up and
down hills, and while backing up.

I'll update the list with my observations as to how well this controller
works in practice, after I have a few trips behind me.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to announce my elation with how easy it
was to install.

The controller has a plug in receptacle at the rear, and comes with a wiring
pigtail which mates with the controller.  Ordinarily, one would attach these
loose wires to the appropriate vehicle wires.

However, the good news (long overdue) is that Tekonsha makes (and sells) pre
wired connector cables which plug into the tow vehicle's factory  wiring
panel (at one end) and the brake controller on the other.  No cutting,
soldering or probing with a volt meter to find the right wires to connect
to.  Simply plug it in.

The caveat is that the vehicle must include the factory installed heavy duty
towing option (which contains the seven wire harness to the rear trailer
connector and the internal wiring to an electrical panel under the
dashboard)  This panel has a socket which accepts the Tekonsha brake
controller jumper cable harness. It also accepts the pigtail and connector
which comes with the vehicle, but why bother?

Tekonsha makes connector cables for Ford, Chrysler and General Motors
vehicles equipped with the heavy duty towing option.  The special cable
makes the installation very neat, clean, and fast (and almost idiot proof).
Offering the cable, and putting a receptacle on the brake controller was a
real stroke of genius.

Now I only hope that the brake controller functions as well.

Oliver Filippi