🚀 go-pugleaf

Fact #1: ALL NiCad manufacturers claim that "The memory effect has
         been eliminated/solved/relegated to the past."

Fact #2: ALL manufacturers will say the above, even when it is not true.
         Make that "especially when it is not true", and the other
         manufacturer's have beaten you to the claim of having solved
         the problem.

Fact #3: My rechargeable shaver used to be able to give 3 weeks of
         shaves per charge, now after 2 years it can only do 2 weeks
         per charge. It has a 1-hour quick-charge, after which it switches
         to trickle (I think - at least the "charge" light changes from
         steadily on to flashing at end of quick cycle. At least some
         part of the charge circuit knows when a "full" charge has been
         reached). I discharge to a fairly consistent level (when the
         motor speed suddenly poops out), and usually let it go beyond
         the quick charge cycle, and through the night (boy, I *hope*
         the charger drops to trickle rate!) In no case do I ever drain
         the batteries to absolute zero, nor do I do partial charges. It's
         probably gone through only about 50 charge/discharge cycles.

Hearsay #1: A friend at work claims to really drain down his Makita
         power tool batteries after each drain below useful voltage. He
         swears this is the secret of treating NiCads well.

Hearsay #2: The number of woodscrews he says he can drive is much higher
        than the number I have been able to drive (I know, different screws,
        different wood,...). It still makes me think I'm a NiCads' worst
        nightmare.

tonya@sid.hp.com