solar battery maintainers

[Brett Dikeman]

On Apr 18, 2006, at 12:56 PM, Mike Arman wrote:

> VW part number 1CO 915 687 is a solar powered battery maintainer  
> rated at 3.2 watts, it is 18.8 volts, 170ma, and you can buy them  
> CHEAP . . .
>
>
> VW uses them on brand new cars when they are shipped from the  
> Fatherland. As part of the dealer prep, they get removed and often  
> discarded - more than a few have shown up on eBay, I paid $15 each  
> for four of them. Look for "VW solar battery maintainer", a number  
> of people sell them. Alternatively, if you are on speaking terms  
> with anyone at a VW dealership, they might make sure to save you  
> one. (Made in China, BTW.)

Looks like there are a slew of them on ebay.  I noticed a sticker in  
one photo that warns to unplug the panel before starting the car- I  
guess it doesn't have a diode?  Strange...I don't think my panel has  
such a warning.

Does VW still do this?   And is it every car?  What about Audi?

Brett