Looking to make a live well out of a cooler- looking to buy an igloo marine grade. I want to be able to run a pump in the cooler to aerate the water but can’t get figure out how I can get a wire into the cooler while still being able to close the lid. Would I have to drill through the cooler ? Has anyone done this before? Thanks.
17’ Mako //90hp Mercury
16’ Alumacraft // 20hp Yamaha
14’ War Eagle // 9.8hp Tohatsu
Yes. Drill through the lid just big enough to get gator clips through one at the time. Put pump in, pass clips through, shut lid. I have a small five gallon round igloo like this.
Get one of these - https://www.westmarine.com/buy/rule-industries--rule-800gph-transom-mount-livewell-pump--P011_330_001_519?pCode=4334959&mrkgcl=481&mrkgadid=3076662381&cm_mmc=PS--Google--GSC%2520-%2520All%2520Products-_-4334959&product_id=4334959&adpos=1o3&creative=108421562044&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwl7nYBRCwARIsAL7O7dEPWOsaJKpJOmmmz9Q9lFeKyIztnZQFOAEPHhRJtVNYeuBGmztZPQYaAlmCEALw_wcB
Plumb an inlet and outlet through the sides of the cooler.
Something like this for an inlet - https://www.westmarine.com/buy/attwood--adjustable-spray-aerator-head--375543?recordNum=2
And, nearly anything for a strainer and outlet that drains overboard.
17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25
Don’t know what you are planning to keep alive? If something like mud minnows then recirculating the water with a pump and aerator head will be ok, then just a small hole for wires in the top will work.
If you want to keep menhaden then you need what Palmer has shown above. Pump gets mounted on transom and if you set it up right will push water while underway then you can cycle on when stopped. Keep in mind you can pump and or push a lot of water through a 3/4 inch hose therefore since discharge is all gravity then your hose needs to be 2 to 3 size as the supply. Discharge will require a strainer inside the tank to keep smaller bait from getting stuck or escaping. Coolers work ok, they offer an element of insulation which is nice for hot days, the downside is their corners cause bait to collect their and beat their noses up in short order.