ORIGINAL: piper_chuck
The need to cycle nicad batteries is often over stated. The best source of information on charging batteries I've ever found is at Red's R/C Battery Clinic:
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/ . I've found it's better for people to read through his material, there's lots of great stuff, than to try to condense it and miss something.
One comment on something you said, discharging your batteries by leaving the receiver or transmitter on overnight is not a good thing. This could easily damage the battery pack.
I fully agree with the above, Yesterday at our club meeting, we had a battery clinic , when I thought I knew something about nicads, guess??? What?? The club members giving the clinic were very qualified. some of them made there own battery analyzers.
Found out I just knew a bit after the clinic. I could repeat some of the thing that we learned, but I won't! after reading (some battery questions) thread, I'm not getting involved in this discussion , I also recommend going to
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com/ you will find the answer to your questions and decide for yourself what to do and not do.
roltech