So it is!
This actually does do the job. I just had to set draggable and scrollwheel attributes to false when the map is not visible, and true when it is, so inadvertent interactions by user on hidden area didn't mess up map display when it is visible.
Both the following suggestions are bound to cause problems as described in this thread:
https://getsatisfaction.com/apperyio/...
https://getsatisfaction.com/apperyio/...
Thanks for chiming in, my woes are settled for now!