Mike,

You quite right I didn't mention the 'memory effect' of NiCds. I didn't think of it at the time but if I had I probably wouldn't have mentioned it anyway. There is much debate about this effect and whether it exists. Some say it doesn't some say it does, I'm sitting on the fence. There are even cell manufacturers that guarantee that their NiCd cells will never develop a memory. (see http://www.srbatteries.com for example)

Still others will argue that the effect does exist but can be reversed by cycling the batteries as you mentioned. There are charges available in the model aircraft world that can be set to cycle batteries a number of times. The claim is that this will recondition NiCds. If you find that your NiCds are not performing as they used to you may be able to breathe new life into them by cycling them. This can be done without a specialist charger simply by fully discharging the cell then fully charging it a few times. You could discharge it by leaving it in whatever you usually use it in and leave the device turned on till the cells went flat. You then charge it for the recommended time so that it is fully charged and repeat as neccessary.

If you are interested in high tech computerised battery chargers the one I use is called a Triton charger and it can charge all the battery types I mentioned as well as lead acid batteries like the one in your car. See: http://www.electrifly.com/accys/gpmm3150.html for info about the Triton charger. This charger is really overkill for anything but Electric Flight or similar use. The charger that Mike mentioned looks like an excellent choice for the average user.

I hope this isn't too off topic for a sailing forum.

Rob.