RE: No fancy battery cycler
I used to turn on my planes and move the controls around until they quit working then charge everything back up, it worked but this was years ago. I have a good cycler now and I use it to test my batteries. I do use it when I get a new pack. I have found that a new pack may not discharge or hold it's full capacity until it has been cycled about four times then they are good to go. It seems to help out older packs too. A good volt meter like John mentioned is a must have item!!!