Ford E450 Bucket Truck (Roberts Hydraulic) – 12V or 24V System? Rewiring After Battery Fire

Asignguy · 2026-04-10T22:24:30.000Z

Hey guys, looking for some experienced help on a bucket truck electrical setup. I bought a 2010 Ford E450 with a Roberts Hydraulic Lift . Batteries were dead when purchased. Unhooked batteries without marking each one ne where to be hooked back to. DUH IS ME lol I then had a battery fire , but it was NOT a system fault(my fault idiot!) — a disconnected positive cable touched the metal battery holder while the batteries were unhooked. I’m now trying to put everything back together exactly as it was, but I want to confirm whether this hydraulic motor runs on 12V or 24V before I hook anything up. One big question is... should the batteries be in series or parallel? What I know / have: 2 batteries in the box (See photo) Hydraulic pump with solenoid (see photo) IOTA DLS-27-25 charger (27.2V output) It was burned. I bought a new one but don't think I really need to install it as I won't need to plug truck in to charge the batteries at the shop. Driving and charging batteries off alternator should be enough to keep batteries charged the small amount I use it I beleive? Vanner equalizer (see Photo) Also has a 24 Volt Vanner inverter in Cab behind drivers seat Sorry only lets me upload 4 photos I have many more photos. Note: I have limited knowledge on this but have taken this truck to two truck shops and they said they can't do it. I've scoured youtube for info and spent hours using AI. I also called the manufacturer. They said used a third party to wire the truck and they went out of business. What’s confusing me: The IOTA charger outputs 27.2V , which suggests a 24V system The Vanner equalizer also suggests 24V stepping down to 12V BUT the pump motor has a “12V” marking on it I’ve had a few people tell me they’ve never seen a 24V bucket setup Original wiring (before fire): There were two MEGA fuse holders on the negative side (one per battery) I’m replacing those cables The rest of the wiring I’m trying to replicate What I need help confirming: Is this likely a 24V system or 12V? If 24V: Would the batteries be wired in series (pos → neg jumper)? If 12V: Would it be parallel (pos-pos / neg-neg)? Has anyone seen: A Roberts Hydraulic setup like this? A 24V hydraulic pump on a bucket truck? I’m not redesigning anything — just trying to: Reconnect it safely Match the original configuration Avoid damaging the pump or electronics Appreciate any insight from guys who’ve worked on these. I’m think I'm close — just want to be 100% sure before I hook power back up. I'm still using my 2000 Ford Bell truck that is falling apart. I've had the 2010 for three months and am getting tired of owning a 14000 lb paperweight! lol Thanks so Much Derek

Started by AsignguyApr 10, 202631 replies

AsignguyJunior MemberApr 11, 2026#21
You guys awesome. Thank You
AMBMikeSenior MemberApr 11, 2026#22
Let us know what you do to get it working.
AsignguyJunior MemberApr 11, 2026#23
There is an Inverter in Cab. Photo attached. I think I'll re install the charger as it was. If I didn't need it I was trying to save a few dollars by selling it as my screw up has already cost me many thousands of hard earned Canadian Dollars. You should have seen me after I pulled into shop nd saw smoke in the mirror. Opened battery box and Flames were only a few inches and just the edges of the two batteries. Man do the flames grow fast! I called 911 on my phone and ran from neighbour to neighbour yelling anyone have a fire extinguisher!?! I had transferred all my tools fasteners etc from my 200 Bell bucket to the the new truck but forgot to transfer fire extinguisher! Woe is ME lol
AMBMikeSenior MemberApr 11, 2026#24
Incidents like that will get the adrenaline flowing for sure.
AsignguyJunior MemberApr 11, 2026#25
AMBMike said: Let us know what you do to get it working. Click to expand... Thanks Mike. Will do. Thinking I might have to bite the bullet and find a specialty shop. I know one that charges $185.00 hr but sadly I've heard they aren't that good. Many people go there and feel they are being overcharged. I think I'll call Roberts in Quebec on Monday and ask them where to take it. I bought this much nicer, safer newer truck(only 90,000 km and runs/drives like new) as a favour for My nephew as he is taking over the business. I'm ready to semi retire and wanted him to have a good safe truck. This screw up is making me want to retire fully! lol
Simon CSuper UserApr 11, 2026#26
Seeing that inverter tells me that they were powering off of 2 batteries in series to the inverter and going back to those batteries in a loop. Not sure how they were powering the electric hydraulic pump with 12 volts but the wiring is probably hiding somewhere under there. Simon C
LCA078Senior MemberApr 13, 2026#27
If it helps, we can review your thoughts on your power demands with your system when it's all said and done. And to be honest, when I see an unbalanced system (12v truck, 12v hydraulic pump, 24v inverter) on two batteries (non-deep cycle at that), I'm thinking there might be a simpler, more effective way to set you up.
AsignguyJunior MemberApr 13, 2026#28
Thank You for the information. I will let everyone know how I make out with it.
cuttin edgeSenior MemberApr 13, 2026#29
Is it one of those cube van trucks with the boom and bucket and the large flashing arrow board on the back
AsignguyJunior MemberApr 13, 2026#30
Yes. Not a Bell truck but was used for Telecom.
cuttin edgeSenior MemberApr 13, 2026#31
Asignguy said: Yes. Not a Bell truck but was used for Telecom. Click to expand... The Cat service guy out of Moncton quit and went on his own. He bought one. It is in great shape. He removed the boom and light board and uses it as a service truck
cuttin edgeSenior MemberApr 13, 2026#32
cuttin edge said: The Cat service guy out of Moncton quit and went on his own. He bought one. It is in great shape. He removed the boom and light board and uses it as a service truck Click to expand... There are a couple pics of his truck in my work pics post. No idea how to move them here. I had deleted the original off my phone.

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