If I recall correctly from my optoelectronics class, (10 years ago) current
won't flow backward through a photovoltaic cell, wich has a battery
connected as a load, because the photocell is reverse biased with respect to
the battery.

I bet Darrell Boehler, if he reads this, will know for sure.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Stann" <ChrisS@INFORMS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: Solar Panel "Battery Saver"

> How about installing a light-activated switch? Light - on, no light - off.
>
> Chris.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Jay L Snyder
> Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 10:09 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Solar Panel "Battery Saver"
>
>
> I bought one of those battery saver solar panels that puts out 1/4 amp in
> full sunlight.  I put it in my car that was sitting outside for several
> weeks without being started.  The battery was "not saved".  It was quite
> near death when I went to start the car.  Is there some reverse current
> leakage when the sun goes down?  Does it need to be un-plugged at night?
> If so, this is a real pain.  I saw an add for a similar, but larger panel,
> that had some kind of circuitry to prevent reverse flow.  I was planning
on
> using this for my '85 Westy, but not if I have to disconnect every night
> and re-connect the next morning.
>                                                         Jay