I should say that the battery did it.... I think :-)

I measured the charging voltage in full sun at about 2 volts. The battery was down to 0.1 volt from being in storage for a year or so. After charging the battery all day in strong sun I have measured the battery voltage at 1 volt and it should be 1.2 volts.

I will have to go and get a replacement Ni-Cad and see if that was the only problem. All other connections seem to look good.