Welcome Back to Base Camp WNC – Starting a 4th Generation Family Homestead

We’re excited to bring you along on a brand-new chapter here at Base Camp WNC as we begin building a fourth-generation family homestead in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

This project is especially close to home—one of my closest friends has a son who’s moving onto the family property, and we’re getting started with some essential infrastructure work. In the next video, we’ll be focusing on installing a fresh spring water system to supply clean running water to the house.

What’s Coming Up:

• Spring Water Installation – We’ll show you how we tap into a clean mountain spring and run water directly into the home.
• Low Head, High Volume Hydro Power – Learn about our plans for a hydro system that generates sustainable energy with a low elevation drop.
• Rebuilding an Original Spring House – On the property sits a 60+ year-old stone springhouse built by Joe’s grandfather. This structure served as the original refrigeration system for the homestead—and we’re going to restore it!

Joe, who manages the technical side of my YouTube channel, is also launching a brand-new magazine dedicated to homesteading and self-reliance. As soon as I have the details, I’ll share the links and help spread the word about this great new resource.

Now, let’s take a quick look at this incredible springhouse. It’s built from massive hand-laid stones—some weighing over 300 pounds—with an original wooden door still intact. We believe the spring once ran through this structure, feeding into a trough system to keep milk and other perishables cool before refrigeration was available.

This homestead, like many in the area, was originally built without electricity, making this springhouse an essential part of daily survival. We’re going to turn its restoration into a full video series on off-grid refrigeration and traditional homestead technology.

Coming Soon:

• Clean spring water system installation
• Water purification for safe drinking water
• Rebuilding the historic springhouse
• Homestead hydro power generation

We're making big strides—Joe’s son is officially moving onto the property this weekend, and by the time this video goes live, he’ll be settled in. It’s the beginning of a new generation living off the land, and we’re thrilled to share every step with you.  We love homestead planning, and this is a great new adventure in homestead living.  For more information and homestead consulting, visit our site at:  https://carolinahomesteadplanner.com

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe to follow our homesteading journey. If you have any questions—or if I can help you with your own off-grid or preparedness project—just let me know in the comments.

Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you on the next one!
#Homesteading #OffGridLiving #SpringWaterSystem #HydroPower #SelfReliance #BaseCampWNC #HomesteadRestoration #SpringHouse #WesternNorthCarolina #Preparedness #DIYHomestead

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC!

As promised, I’m doing a quick video on this device called the Pump Saver. I picked it up on Amazon for around $389. We're currently in a house with a low-producing well — about half a gallon per minute. The property is rented out, and they have a water system set up that makes it workable. But they had a major issue before: the well would keep running dry.

With such low output, the well could only produce about 100 to 150 gallons before running dry. That led to frequent pump problems. This is where the Pump Saver comes in. It monitors the electrical current going to the pump. When the water level drops too low, the current changes — and the device automatically shuts off the pump to prevent damage.

Let me take you inside and show you how it works...
I've already removed the cover, and you'll see I put a piece of tape over the green indicator light — it was interfering with the camera. To calibrate it, simply turn this screw to “calibrate.” With the pump switch open (meaning it needs water), turn on the power. The pump will run for about 10 seconds, then shut off.

After that, adjust this knob to your desired delay setting. I’ve set mine to 180 minutes (that’s 3 hours). That means when the water level drops and the pump shuts off, the system will wait 3 hours to allow the well to recover — in this case, bringing back around 90 gallons of water. Once recovered, the pump kicks back on, pumps out the 90 gallons, shuts off again, and waits another 3 hours. It's a cycle designed to protect the well and pump.

Then, set the sensitivity using the knob right here.
As for wiring: the power feed from the house connects here — this is a 220V system. One wire goes into the terminal marked “IN,” and the other into the second “IN.” Don’t forget to connect your ground wire. The output wire, marked “OUT,” also gets a ground and runs to the pump switch.

The wire then runs down to the pump controller. That’s all there is to the basic setup. Once everything’s wired, the green light will indicate system status.

The unit has a series of status lights and error indicators, such as:

• Dry Run
• Dead Heading
• Overcurrent
• Voltage Fault
• Rapid Cycling
  

All of these are explained clearly on the panel, so you can easily read and diagnose any issues.

And this device isn’t just for wells. You can use it with pumps in cisterns, transfer tanks, ponds — basically any situation where you’re moving water and need protection in case of dry run or voltage issues. It’s a great way to protect your investment and avoid expensive pump replacements.

If you have questions, feel free to email me — you’ll find the contact info below. I’ll do my best to help you out.
As always, like, share, subscribe, and tell your friends.

Thanks for watching — and I’ll see you on the next one!

For more helpful homestead planning tips, visit Carolina Homestead Planner.

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! About two years ago, I began a water project for a client—today, that same client is completing his dream cabin. Now nearly finished, this charming retreat will soon be available as an Airbnb, offering the perfect mountain getaway whenever the owner isn’t using it. If you’re searching for peace, comfort, and beauty near Mountain City, Tennessee, this might be your ideal destination.

The cabin is almost move-in ready, with just a few final touches left. Let’s take a look inside and around the property. Outside, you’ll find a spacious deck perfect for taking in the views, a convenient parking area, and a cozy fire pit ready for cool mountain evenings. Down below, there’s a 1,500-gallon water tank, and plans are in motion for an additional deck featuring a spring-fed cold plunge pool and a sauna. For those who love breathtaking scenery, this spot is truly special.

Inside, the cabin is fully equipped with modern amenities. The kitchen includes a sleek stainless steel stove, a convection oven, and a deep sink—everything you need for home-cooked meals. The living area features a pull-out queen-size sofa bed, a large flat-screen TV, and an electric fireplace that adds a warm, inviting touch. The staircase slides to the side to maximize space. Upstairs in the loft is a comfortable queen-size bed, and the kitchen also includes a stainless steel refrigerator and a stackable washer and dryer for added convenience.

The bathroom offers rustic charm with a custom-made vanity and copper sink. Because of the remote location, the cabin uses a propane incinerator toilet. There’s also a spacious walk-in shower that offers a view—though you may need to look past the window glare to fully enjoy it.

Step outside onto the deck, where a hot tub is soon to be installed. Even with the snow and ice from the night before, the mountain views remain absolutely stunning. The sound of the nearby river and creek adds a peaceful backdrop, and the fire pit area is perfect for unwinding with a warm drink or your favorite craft beer.

Interested in renting this serene escape? Stay tuned for a link to the listing. The owner plans to open bookings this spring, and you could be the very first guest to experience this hidden gem. A mini-split system provides both heating and air conditioning, ensuring comfort no matter the season.

The views are truly awe-inspiring in every direction. The cabin is affectionately named the “Bigfoot Lair,” and the owner’s property stretches to the ridge above, down to the creek, and into the surrounding mountains. If you love hiking, there are trails nearby, and the owner may even mark them out for guests to explore.

This isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a chance to reconnect with nature, unwind, and experience the tranquility of mountain living. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe to support the channel. Leave your comments for Robert and let him know what you think of this beautiful project—he’s poured his heart into every detail.

Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to hit that thumbs-up button. We appreciate your continued support!

For more information on Homestead Planning, visit us at:  carolinahomesteadplanner.com

Welcome to Base Camp WNC, where today we embark on an exciting restoration adventure! We're tackling a spring house that dates back over half a century, and as it stands now, it's seen better days. The structure suffers from a collapsed roof, missing screens, and weather-damaged cement blocks.

Our restoration journey begins with dismantling the deteriorated parts. Interestingly, the original iron piping was replaced by PVC, which now serves as the primary water outlet. Our first goal is to clear away the surrounding rocks to uncover the true water source. We’ll construct a dam wall to regulate the flow of the spring.

As we cleared the site, we unearthed multiple spring heads. To combat potential contamination from surface runoff and insects, we layered bentonite clay and soil to fortify the base. We’ve also introduced a protective layer of fabric for durability and a plastic cover for additional safeguarding against the elements. Depending on stability, we may add more gravel, while the existing blocks could remain to aid in water diversion.

With the debris cleared, our focus shifted to enhancing the spring's infrastructure. We installed a new conduit to guarantee uninterrupted water flow to the storage tank. The spring now operates efficiently, with recently cleaned, pressure-washed, and sanitized components ensuring pristine condition.

Inside the nearby utility shed, we've fitted an expansion tank and a Rusco spin-down filter to preserve water quality and manage pressure. The new setup includes a one-inch poly line connecting the spring to the tank, with an overflow arrangement to handle excess water.

The restoration continued even through six days of rain, which led us to regrade the site and add a 30-mil vinyl roofing liner atop the plastic layer for extra protection from natural debris. The repurposed old cement blocks from the original pump house now serve a new purpose—anchoring the liner.

This project not only revitalizes the spring house but also enhances the water pressure and flow, ensuring a reliable water supply. We've also considered the potential need for additional filtration to maintain water purity.

For those considering similar restoration projects, I offer personalized consulting services. Whether you need advice based on photos or an on-site evaluation, feel free to contact me. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more updates on our restoration adventures. Hit that thumbs-up button if you enjoyed the video, and join us next time at Base Camp WNC!

Visit us for more project help for your homesteading Lifestyle.