      */
     public function get maxChars():int 
     {
-        return _maxChars;
+        if (textView)
+            return textView.maxChars;
+            
+        // want the default to be 0
+        var v:* = textViewProperties.maxChars;
+        return (v === undefined) ? 0 : v;
     }
     
     /**

        validateNow();

        textView.appendText(text);
    }
    
    //--------------------------------------------------------------------------

    //----------------------------------

    /**
     *  Documentation is not currently available.
     * 
     *  @default null
