Advice on setting up SHTF cabin

[Lionheart]

Wow....I am amazed at how far ahead of my thinking you guys are! I really appreciate the thought you all put into your responses.
The devil is in the details for me. Such as - how far will the ram pump work? The cabin is approx 250 ft from the river and 30 or 40 ft above the river elevation....would ram pump work? The gutter rainwater collection idea is a good one - the previous owner was already doing this with a horse water trough next to house. I just wanted to have a well with cleaner water to fill a cistern for drinking water. Bath/toilet solutions would probably be a conventional septic system fed by gray water collection system (the roof rainwater collection system). Power is issue though....if grid went down I would like the ability to generate my own power with river water or solar combination. And I am not handy enough to do all this myself.....any Georgia contractors around to help? Or any of you guys want to make a road trip this Sunday and look at property to see if it is a good candidate for a survival property?
I will be at gun show on Saturday on southside of Atlanta but will be home Sunday. If any of you want to come I will provide food and drink of choice! And maybe include a good cigar!!! I have to decide on Monday whether to back out of contract so time is of essence.
Thanks again for all your responses.

 

[Lionheart]

Thanks for all the great advice! I typed a long detailed response and then it crapped out when I tried to post it. Bottom line was i offered for any of you to visit this Sunday for onsite inspection as I have to make decision Monday. And I offered to provide food and drink of choice with even a good cigar included if anyone showed up! unfortunately most of you seem to be on west or north side instead of near me. I will be at gun show on Saturday in southwest side of ATL so contact me there if any of you attend.
Thanks again....Edwin 404-seven59-one 117

 

[mirage243]

Good thread

 

[FbodTrek]

I wouldn't rely on diesel/propane for backup power in the scenario you are preparing for. I think using the river to generate your power is a great idea just wouldn't know how to go about accomplishing it. Another option could be solar but depending on location and cover etc could be limited by cost as well. Let us know what you decide!

A narrow stretch, 2" Galvanized pipe across, anchored at either bank to a tree, paddle wheel, belt, big pulley, small pulley, 2 bearing blocks, an alternator from a car, a diode, and a car battery. May have to dig or dam river to get water volume you need, more paddles with wider blades run slightly diagonal are more efficient. If you got a waterfall, you could rig up a turbine as well.

 

[Tacticalcountryboy]

I am a licensed, insured general contractor, and Im slowly moving my business into the "niche" of doing cabins, rvs, bunkers, safe rooms etc... you can checkout my website Thecunninghamconstruction.com if you would like. Ive done it all my life and have quite an impressive resume of background. (military building, schools, retail shops, grocery stores, houses, cabins, rv repair etc...) I would be interested in doing this at a discounted rate if you would allow me to post pictures on my website (nothing that would identify the whereabouts of the property)

 

[Tacticalcountryboy]

I forgot to mention... I'm in the process of doing the same thing for myself, and I am a homesteader, so I speak from experience not what ive read online. for instance I use my wood stove as my sole heat source for the winter, and have cooked on it many times.

 

[Jero77]

Working on a similar project myself, 800 sq/ft with full bath and two Lofts for sleeping.

# Water source is a shallow well with a hand pump at the kitchen sink as well as a 12 volt inline pump with a 25 gallon pressure tank. Good 3 min shower prior to pump kicking on. For hot water I used a LP insta hot heater like you would see on an RV. Also running rain water collection and 2 ponds within 100yds

# power is a full 12V system with battery chargers as well as Solar, all lights are 12 volt LED ( very low power consumption) also have several oil lamps for backup.

# basement serves as dry storage & root cellar

# wood burning stove for heat and cooking for when propane runs out

 

[Jero77]

Long story short, make sure the property suits your needs and go for it. I have been working on ours for about a year ( damn day jobs ) and the experience has been nothing short of awesome. Pretty much had the cabin finished early fall so we were able to spend a lot of time this there this winter. We had to have a project so we got started on the barn, smoke house, and fire pit. Always something to do

 

[olchevy]

Call me crazy but if at all possible I would try and build the house around the well. Like literally have the well accessible from inside the house, you can go old school then and use a bucket lowered on a rope and still have easily accessible water from inside the house.

 

[hikingthehills]

Working on a similar project myself, 800 sq/ft with full bath and two Lofts for sleeping.

# Water source is a shallow well with a hand pump at the kitchen sink as well as a 12 volt inline pump with a 25 gallon pressure tank. Good 3 min shower prior to pump kicking on. For hot water I used a LP insta hot heater like you would see on an RV. Also running rain water collection and 2 ponds within 100yds

# power is a full 12V system with battery chargers as well as Solar, all lights are 12 volt LED ( very low power consumption) also have several oil lamps for backup.

# basement serves as dry storage & root cellar

# wood burning stove for heat and cooking for when propane runs out

That is awesome man! I'm really wanting to do something like that here in a few years.