This all started when I priced a livewell for a boat that I bought, needless to say the cheapest I could find was $250.00. I spent about $60.00 and made one (I already had the cooler), it would have been cheaper if I didn't have to buy glue and cleaner and a full piece of pipe. I did not ruin the cooler by drilling holes and compromising the integrity of the cooler. What was needed:
1 - 120 Q cooler
1 - 10' joint of pipe
2 - 90°
1- Cap
4 - Suction Cups
1 - Bilge Pump
1 - Glue & Cleaner
Zip Ties
I started by disassembling the suction cups I bought from Lowes in the hardware department
Next I removed the bottom guard off the bilge pump and zip tied the suction cups to the guard. Then reinstalled it on the pump itself
I placed the pump with the suction cups in place in the bottom of the cooler and began plumbing in everything
I added the 2 large suction cups for the pipe to rest on, I tried just sticking them on there, but they kept sliding down so I used the PVC cement and glued them into place
Once that was fitted I removed it and drilled holes about 2" apart all the way down to the cap. Then secured it with zip ties to the suction cups
At that point I connected it to the battery to test it and it worked like a charm. If I need it as a cooler I can cut the zip ties and remove the pump and plumbing and BAM I have a cooler again.
I have it wired up in my boat so that all I have to do is flip a switch and she will come on. I will have to use a 5 gallon bucket to get water into the livewell, but that is something that I can live with. It sure beats spending $250.00!
1 - 120 Q cooler
1 - 10' joint of pipe
2 - 90°
1- Cap
4 - Suction Cups
1 - Bilge Pump
1 - Glue & Cleaner
Zip Ties
I started by disassembling the suction cups I bought from Lowes in the hardware department
Next I removed the bottom guard off the bilge pump and zip tied the suction cups to the guard. Then reinstalled it on the pump itself
I placed the pump with the suction cups in place in the bottom of the cooler and began plumbing in everything
I added the 2 large suction cups for the pipe to rest on, I tried just sticking them on there, but they kept sliding down so I used the PVC cement and glued them into place
Once that was fitted I removed it and drilled holes about 2" apart all the way down to the cap. Then secured it with zip ties to the suction cups
At that point I connected it to the battery to test it and it worked like a charm. If I need it as a cooler I can cut the zip ties and remove the pump and plumbing and BAM I have a cooler again.
I have it wired up in my boat so that all I have to do is flip a switch and she will come on. I will have to use a 5 gallon bucket to get water into the livewell, but that is something that I can live with. It sure beats spending $250.00!
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