Matt Mc_Carthy wrote in a message to Roy J. Tellason:

 RJT> I read about something recently (saw it mentioned in a book I was 
 RJT> reading) where they mentioned a dashboard-top panel that would 
 RJT> keep a vehicle's battery topped off when it was sitting for a 
 RJT> while,  and not being driven.  Have you ever heard of this?

 MMC> Those are presently available, almost reasonably priced. 
 MMC> http://thomas-distributing.com has had them for several years.   

 MMC> Hmmm...  I just sidetracked to have a look, and everything under
 MMC> 'Solar' is now blank.  Don't know if they were discontinued, or
 MMC> whether the web page is being re-done and they aren't showing yet.

 MMC> They had automotive units that just plugged into the lighter or
 MMC> accessories socket, Marine units, RV units, even camper packs that
 MMC> folded up real neat for packing without breaking the cells.

 MMC> If you're interested, I can send them an EMail or call and ask
 MMC> what happened to their 'Solar' section.    ????

I'm interested,  to the extent of "down the road some time",  but
not any time soon,  unless they're a lot less expensive than I'd think they
are...

I wasn't even aware of there being such a thing out there,  until I ran
across this.  But for keeping a vehicle or RV battery either topped off or
seriously slow down the discharge,  it might be a nice thing to have,  at
some point.

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