Mark was thinking very hard :
On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:19:58 GMT, Harry Bloomfield
wrote:

Dave Liquorice submitted this idea :
On Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:30:16 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Wonder how much current such a device *draws* from the battery in low
light conditions when not charging? It must be something.

Almost no leakage at all. Likely most of the leakage will be leakage
from the skin oils left on the wires and devices as the unit was
assembled.

Having said that - the mains charger which keeps my motorcycles battery
topped up (on permanent charge), has a fatal flaw in its design. If
connected to the battery, but not plugged into the mains it flattened
the battery via its charge status display. Long power cut, or mcb trip
=flat battery.

Optimate?

Yes and three times replaced under guarantee due to the first two
failing within weeks of delivery. The present one seems to be hanging
in there, two years use so far, but still not a good design.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk