Running ballast pump dry - burn up?

[bergermaister]

My rear hard tanks just got replaced with bags. It was setup with a single pump on a T-fitting to fill both at the same time, and two smaller pumps to drain each tank, all on one switch.

For surfing, I am plumbing in manual shutoff valves in-line on the fill lines to each bag (still off one pump). That way I can fill only the one side needed to surf. However the switch to drain will still kick on both drain pumps. If one side is full and draining water, I'm wonder if the pump on the other side that is dry but will still be running because it's on the same switch will burn up?

Anyone know if ballast pumps will burn up when you run them dry for a few minutes at a time? Doing this repeatedly over the course of the summer...

Thanks-
Berg

[Ian Brantford]

My drainage pumps have been left going many times, sometimes for 10-20 minutes, typically by my alternative driver who doesn't hear well enough to listen for the noise. No problems yet!

[bergermaister]

Thanks Ian - I was hoping for an answer like that!