Solar truck tour of four continents

From Gas to 220 V solar powered truck tour

Mr and Mrs Furer are an adventurous couple who change attitudes towards travel aboard their 100% autonomous van “The Pepamobil”. For over 20 years, this Swiss couple has been travelling ~460’000 km across four continents (Europe, Africa, South America, Antarctica) in their customised truck whose on-board equipment is powered by one of our inverters.

Some examples of the countries crossed: USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Urugay, Paraguay, Namibia, Botswana…

A journey with extreme conditions requiring flexible energy equipment

Originally this couple was having a vehicle with an electrical system combining solar panels with a gas generator and 120 l (31,7 gal) gas tank that could not stand the temperature and heat of the countries visited.

“Everything was working, but we were always short of electricity or running out of petrol. My experiences in South America, with the high altitude and the sometimes-considerable difficulties involved in resupplying, gave me an idea: why not combine several problems into one and use only 220 volts for the entire power supply and to develop a new vehicle? The further I got into the planning and gathering information, the more people thought I was mad. Everyone I spoke to predicted it was impossible,” explains Bruno Furer wo has started working on the new truck project in 2005.

This new system has to work 24/7, whatever the environment. Their truck will visit places up to 5.000 meters (16404 ft) above sea level with temperatures from -25°C (-13 F) up to +40°C (104 F) and humidity up to 95 %. The combination of solar panels, inverters-chargers and batteries is the most suitable option for a harsh environment and electricity independence.

220 Volts a more stable network for the embedded systems

As the couple originates from Switzerland, the mobile hybrid system has been conceived to run completely on 220 V. Thanks to this voltage, the whole setup is much simpler and cheaper. Comparable vehicles use generaly three systems: 24 V, 220 V, and, petrol. Renate and Bruno use only household appliances, which makes them much easier and cheaper to buy. Everything, right down to the water pump, runs on 220 volts. They themselves built the entire power system and did all the interior fittings for their lorry.

The 2V gel batteries are charged with two small separated solar charge controllers connected to an 1800 W photovoltaic array installed on the vehicle’s roof. The low battery capacity (400 Ah) is a compromise between weight and the energy required to last three days. The calculation of the battery size was based on the emergency situations (lack of sunlight, unable to start the vehicle’s engine or find a power socket) the couple has faced in the past. It is also possible to charge the batteries via the vehicle’s alternator; this solution is used as a backup charging method.

In cloudy weather, the 400 Ah capacity is sufficient to provide three days’ power without having to sacrifice any electrical equipment. This means they are able to make coffee and toast for breakfast, have one hot meal a day, as well as a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon and use their electronics devices.

Renate and Bruno have chosen AGM batteries because they were easier to find abroad than lithium batteries as this type of batteries was uncommon in 2005, when the system was built. Lead batteries were also ruled out; using this type of battery in the power compartment would have required ventilation to prevent the risk of hydrogen outgassing and corrosion that could be caused by gas emissions affecting the surrounding structures.

Our legacy inverter-charger the HP-COMPACT 4400-24 is used in the system for over 20 years, and supply 4400 W P30 and 12 kW P5sec. of power to a refrigerator, a freezer, an induction hob, an oven, a water pump, lights, heating and air conditioning (when needed), and other loads. The inverter features a load detection function that can be continuously adjusted between 0 and 20 watts, enabling it to achieve high efficiency; it only switches on when power is required by the loads, thereby saving energy and extending the operating life of the batteries.

“For the past 20 years, we’ve been travelling with a relatively small battery and have never had to eat a single cold meal.” Says Bruno Furer on their website. By following this link, you will find more information about the 220 V electrical system in their truck: https://www.pepamobil.ch/fahrzeuge-infos/man/wieso-220-volt/

Solar energy, peace of mind for their trip compared to gas energy

With this system, the couple no longer has to worry about securing fuel for their electricity needs, as the energy comes from a renewable source directly from the roof of their truck and they are no longer dependent on the nearest petrol station for their electricity supply.

Furthermore, with a gas generator, the power fluctuated between 95-220 volts making it hard for their electronics to function, with the solar installation they are supplied with a perfect sine wave and a constant voltage of 220 V from our inverter.

Since 2006, the solar installation of the Furer couple is working perfectly accompanying them day-to-day and even survived a flood in Brazil in 2024.

Thirteen years later, the Pepamobil is back in Switzerland and has made a stop in front of our factory

Renate and Bruno live in Paraguay, where they have built their home. A return to Switzerland proved necessary in order to complete the renovation of the Pepamobil, which dates from the early 2000s. They have started renovating the interior of the cab and plan, among other things, to replace the chassis of their vehicle.

With the renovation work in Switzerland, they took the opportunity to visit us at our factory in Sion.

You can follow their adventures on their website: https://www.pepamobil.ch/ and https://www.polarsteps.com/RenateFurer

Date:

April 23, 2026

Studer contact:

Serge Remy

The customer: