>tested with a small  (1" x 3") solar cell from a toy and I have
>measured about 40 milliamp. out in direct sunlight.

Is this just by putting a current meter on the solar cell, so you are
measuring short circuit current? The current will then be less when charging
a battery.

See what the actual current is when using a resistor as a load, such that
the voltage across the resistor matches the battery voltage. You may need to
include a low voltage drop diode in the circuit as well.

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