The pump could run a long time dry without hurting it. Also if you leave your boat in a dock overnight and it rains the bilge pump should be able to kick in by itself.
Bilge Pump Basics Seaworthy Magazine Boatus
Should i leave bilge pump on. Not all pumps are automatic but most are there will be a float on the front of the pump that when u raise it up it will kick the pump on. Shore power is available with a battery charger on board to keep the battery charged. The bolts should also be bond very well to the lower side of bilge to act similar mounting studs. When a boat is parked in a slip in the ocean bay should a battery be left in the 1 position and a bilge pump on in case of excess rain water. The one that came with your boat may be up to that task but a bilge pump should also be able to provide crucial extra time if your boat is taking on water allowing you to find and deal with the source of a leak or in extremis to don life jackets and hopefully keep your boat afloat long enough for help to arrive. If an emergency occurs the last thing you need is to have to remember to activate the bilge pump.
It should be noted however that for long distance travel human lives are at stake and in the situation of danger help would take time to arrive. It is because if it collapses it may suck the air and eventually burn out. There are many great pumps in the market with a built in float switch and super easy to install. Hence the pump must also be fastened towards down. The pump should not be placed in bilge before it is unrestrained. Many boat owners keep an extra bilge pump on hand or replace their bilge pumps with larger ones.
Should i leave the bilge pump on. Should you leave the bilge pump on.