Recommended 4-Way to 7-Way Adapter for Prodigy Wireless Brake Controller on 2005 MDX Acura  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thanks for all the info. That makes giving you specifics a lot easier. Because you are looking at the Tekonsha Prodigy RF Wireless Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 3 Axles - Proportional # TK94FR and you already have a 4-way trailer connection, this will be easy. You will just need a 7-way adapter, a circuit breaker, and some wire.

For your wiring adapter, I recommend the Hopkins Endurance Multi-Tow 4-Way Flat to 7-Way RV Trailer Adapter w/ 4-Way Vehicle End Plug # HM47180. This is a nice heavy duty connector that has both the 7-way and the 4-way connections. It simply plugs into your current 4 way and then you will tape up the purple (reverse) wire and the blue (break controller wire) to get them out of the way. You will attach the white wire to your vehicle frame for a ground connection. Then you will use the red wire for your 12V power needed for your Prodigy Wireless Brake Controller. I recommend running # 10-1-1 wire from the positive battery terminal to circuit breaker # 9510 and then the same # 10-1-1 from that breaker to the red wire on your trailer connector.

Let me know if you have further questions.

expert reply by: Jason S

1

Mike S.

10/25/2017

Thanks so much for the thorough response. Your response made me think of two other questions: 1) so the purple and blue wires do not require to be connected and just need to be taped up? 2) So my next question involves the brake controller. The RF brake controller will activate when the brake lights activate through the 4 way plug. Now, how does the brake controller know to send a signal to increase the braking power? As i step on the brakes, the lights or the signal through the 4 way don’t increase or get brighter as i step on the brakes more. Just curious.

Jason S.

10/25/2017

Great questions. In order to have a fully functional 7-way you would connect the purple wire to the reverse light function to transfer that function to your trailer. Some trailers have a reverse light and some do not, but you can absolutely connect that if you have it. The blue wire will not be used because that is the wire that would be the brake output of a hardwired electric brake controller. I recommend taping up what isn't used simply to avoid damage over time and allow you to add those functions at a later date if desired. The way the Prodigy RF wireless brake controller works is it captures the 12V power function and the other functions from your 4-way trailer connection. It will use the brake lights as a signal that you are braking, but that doesn't give it the proportional aspect as you mentioned. The controller that mounts to the frame actually has a sensor in it that lets it know when deceleration is occurring. It adds the proportional amount of braking needed to the trailer brakes when it senses this along with the brake light function. You will also have the wireless manual override that will add braking at will to your trailer brakes for more intense braking needs in case of emergency braking or braking to avoid emergency situations. This braking intensity is adjustable with your remote.