Burned out WAGO connector behind the WFCO 2024 Boondock

pthomas745
pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,603
edited 8:39PM in Battery/Electrical & Solar

Not my trailer, but this showed up on one of the FB pages today. Owner was having problems with battery charging, and intermittent loss of 12V power. He searched hard enough and found this scorched WAGO connector behind the WFCO. I'm trying to get more info…but what would cause a connector like this to fail in this way?

image.png
2017 Outback
Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi

Comments

  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 585

    Hi, It's hard to really see from the resolution of photo but is the scorched wire larger diameter than the others? A larger diameter wire leads you to think a higher amp circuit.

    The most obvious would be an overcurrent or overloaded current situation that exceed the wires capacity. Really need to know what is on that entire circuit.

    -What items does that wire provide current to?

    -What fuse protection is on that circuit?

    -Improper or loose connections can heat up wires.

    -A short circuit can also cause damage like that.

    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 885

    That WAGO connector looks undersized for that large diameter wire…

    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,992
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/222323#Comment_222323

    That was my first thought on seeing (poor quality) picture plus a usage event above the connector rated amperage.

    WAGO appears to have two 5-terminal blocks:

    • 221-415 UL rated 20A, 12-24 AWG wire compatible
    • 221-615 UL rated 30A, 10-20 AWG
    • Note: IEC rates both about 10A higher then UL testing

    The picture suggests the connector is on a higher current circuit, if part of the battery charger or an electric tongue jack circuit high currents will be common.

    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,603

    I managed to get a better photo of the WAGO and asked the owner to see if they can spot where this wire connects to the WFCO.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,992

    pthomas745 said: managed to get a better photo of the WAGO

    Helpful, it is the 30A WAGO Model

    wagoTAB.jpg
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180

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