The Meidinger Cells were used on the Overland Telegraph Service.

It was possible for each cell to produce about 1.2 volts of potential voltage.

A 100 were placed in series developing the 120V that were required to operate the signals to continue to the next repeater station 200 miles away.

at Stations there were 2 banks of cells so they were able to be checked with the bank out of service.

The batteries were considered to be a long life battery that only needed a copper electrode and a zinc wrap around sheet, water and

Copper Sulphate Crystals. The batteries or cells needed to be checked for depositions as well as water level, this task was carried out each week at the stations to ensure reliability.

The copper sulphate was an important step in that it was easy to transport than acids, though there were a few more active cells at the relay stations 

that required acid but the Meidinger cells may have taken over their use as the acid may have been damaged on the way through the middle of 

Australia on the rough track of the Overland.