Published in the December 2007 American Longwall Magazine

With a few systems already in some coal mines, Battery Filling Systems is targeting the underground coal industry with its Single Point Watering systems. The system allows users to water the battery with a single watering point rather than having to water the battery cell to cell.

The single watering point allows the user to plug into one point, and water is routed to each battery cell simultaneously.

"The labor savings are drastic – filling in minutes versus 30 minutes or longer without a single point watering system," industrial sales and marketing director George Miller said.

With all individual cells often difficult to access – especially in the underground environment – the system also offers access advantages.

Safety is also a factor, with the system ensuring the proper watering level and keeping the electrolyte in the cells.

"If you water manually, you run the risk of over-watering, and when you do, corrosive, harmful, battery acid is spilled out of the cell. The acid will corrode the battery connectors, the trays, the mining vehicles, the operators' clothes and more," Miller said.

"The watering system will help improve the battery’s performance and life since properly maintaining the battery is integral."

Once a SPW system is installed in a battery, a water supply is required. Miller said the most common way to water batteries in the mines is via a gravity-fed tank that is installed on a shelf above the battery.

"We believe that every mining battery should have a BFS Single Point Watering system to reduce the amount of time it takes to water the battery, to make it easier to water, to improve safety, and lastly to improve the performance and the life of the batteries," Miller said.

For MSHA approval, the agency requires clearance between the top of the cap and the lid of the battery. The Single Point Watering system meets these requirements.