Parts Needed to Wire Prodigy Brake Controller in Peterbilt Semi Pulling EOH Trailers

Updated 01/30/2017 | Published 01/28/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

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$159.43

Curt Powered Tail Light Converter w/ 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector and Install Kit

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Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

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Firestone Fuse Circuit Tap Kit

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Question:

I have a 2013 peterbilt 587 semi it has air brakes and a bigtex 22 gn 23900 gvw I need to know what electric brake controller I need to use I some times pull trailers with electric over hyg. and what kind of pigtail do ineed to make this work on these trailers and make the lights work as well. and if you could please tell me what I need to install all of this on this truck thanks

asked by: Nathan H

Helpful Expert Reply:

We do offer brake controllers such as the Hayes Air Actuated Trailer Brake Controller # HA100400C that takes in air pressure and converts it to an electrical signal for trailer brakes, but this item is not compatible with electric-over-hydraulic brakes, only electric drum brakes.

For your application I suggest the Prodigy P2 # 90885 that you referenced. It has a setting for EOH brakes. You will also need an installation kit # ETBC7 to enable a hardwired installation. The challenge will be finding a brake light only circuit to tap into to get your brake signal. Normally the P2's red input signal wire connects to the cold side of the brake light switch on a vehicle. This provides a signal ONLY when the brake pedal is pressed and at no other time, which is what you need.

If you have a separate fuse for your brake lights that controls no other components but the brake lights, you could use a fuse tap # F2526 to give you access to that electrical brake signal. This would serve to provide the "braking" signal for the Prodigy's red input wire. If the truck has a breaker for the stop lights then you could tap into the signal there using a ringer terminal.

You will also need a converter # C59496 to combine the separate stop/turn circuits of the semi to combined stop/turn signals required by the trailer.

Each trailer will need to have a 7-way RV-style plug like # H20046 in order to connect to the socket included in the # ETBC7 kit. The linked article shows you the various wiring configurations for trailer connectors. The semi and the trailers must all be configured in the same way, with the Prodigy's output signal (carried on its blue wire) connected to the pin at the 5-o-clock position in the socket as you view it.