Re:

>This has become much to complicated.  A diode off the battery is what I am
>using for now.

Yep, that will be the simplest way to go.  Unfortunately it has no
overvoltage or reverse hookup protection, but I think that's a
reasonable restriction.

I was going to suggest a simple diode in series as a solution to your
problem, but the "hotwire" reference had me worried.

Good Luck! Simple is good.
--

  ______________________________________
   Andrew E. Kalman, Ph.D.   aek@pumpkininc.com

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