On Thu, 12 Jun 2014 23:49:52 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Gabriel wrote:

I must rescue it from the garage and "get at it". B-)

ISTR the circuit was embedded in a lump of silicone, or some such.

Wouldn't be surprised but just bunging in a schotty diode to stop the
leakage would be an improvement. I doubt it'll ever generate enough
umpf, even in direct sunlight, to damage a wet lead acid battery.

--
Cheers
Dave.