Prodigy Brake Controller- problem with the handheld- now out of business!

ColleenD2

Two years ago, our Prodigy Brake controller handheld unit broke apart in the cigarette, lighter a.k.a. power port thingy. It was a known issue for them and they upgraded the whole Brake Controller since it was still under warranty & sent us a brand new one, the whole thing. We had to install it, but we were up-to-date on technology and amazingly it was about a week before the warranty was up. The one bad thing is it actually caused a little fire in there, but it didn’t fry our electrical system.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. The new handheld got stuck in the cigarette lighter. This time it didn’t all come apart, just the base came apart from the top. We can leave it in the port, but that means I can’t run my dash cam. That’s a bit necessary here in St. Louis with all the crazy drivers. Also, I’m hoping that it isn’t draining my battery, but I don’t have a choice because we have a big trip coming up and I need a Brake Controller.

I’ve been trying to contact the company to have the handheld replaced. They have not gotten back to me. I’ve called. I’ve emailed. Multiple times. I even went so far as to print photographs of the issue and send them a letter. Today I called a different number that I found online and it turns out that they are out of business. First brands is under investigation for massive fraud and they’ve declared bankruptcy. First brands is responsible for a ton of brands that you know. I’m just shocked.

Thankfully, I found the handheld for about $150 with tax from E trailer. Hopefully, this new one will not fail us. Hopefully, we can get that piece out but I have to find somebody with those rubber pliers because that’s what it took a mechanic family member to get the last one out. Until this one goes bad, we can avoid spending a gazillion dollars for a fresh one. We’ve been very happy with the Brake Controller. It’s very effective and was top rated when we bought our 2019 camper.

MuttonChops

If you disconnect the car battery, remove negative terminal connection.
There won't be any power at the 12V socket and you can use any metal tool you need to get the broken plug out without fear of shorting something.

Your older broken Hand Control might still be functional (useful as a spare), to test it just wire it to one of the several "12V Fused Cigarette Lighter Male Plug with Leads" available from different sellers.

For example:

https://www.amazon.com/holder-Cigarette-Lighter-Replacement-Socket/dp/B0963QJLRG?crid=2EKQUNDNNQ2XN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lDhcPOlNZjIsc4SRyHgccsO-vF1hNL0VRN1H2UJLL58Ya5v0dR-9Kl70oWUvzjdIH84IPNsL3ch41MIFubaGnSJhI9tDx2l1JSiR7pMxcjOp5XXwVhM5UixThlpIM4QGWZtZdacIXUbGB2UaFCqFDt7bFuC52Pb1Hqr_X5Ybm7J2AclDrVSFOq9tleenc90u_HdOTaBzaKh034he1oIJC1JGSdK1uP1MtUVg3wqphMA.KmdtdLZW_u5N99qIIuq3-PwfjK2lNzVTIqpOi8wClVA&dib_tag=se&keywords=car+12V+lighter+plug&qid=1778531866&sprefix=car+12v+lighter+plu%2Caps%2C325&sr=8-6

Grumpy_G

If you disconnect the car battery, remove negative terminal connection.
There won't be any power at the 12V socket and you can use any metal tool you need to get the broken plug out without fear of shorting something.

Some caveat here, a lot of modern vehicles with everybody's favorite "start-stop" feature use two batteries in parallel so disconnecting the negative from the main battery does not remove power from the vehicle. E.g. in my Jeep Gladiator the auxiliary battery sits out of sight under the main battery, you would need to disconnect the cable from the AUX battery to the main battery clamp in addition to the main battery.

rydfree

…….or just pull the fuse that supplies power to the 12v socket.