NiMH does not deliver memory the way the older NICADs did.
NiMH when new, usually need 3 - 5 charge/discharge cycles for full potential run time.
Chargers, the way I see it, can make a difference. Some condition chargers may discharge, then cycle for a full charge.
Smart chargers can analyze individual cells and monitor the charge to each cell. Some now have a display (LCD) providing data on each cell.
If your wanting to discharge cells and your charger does not provide this, just run the cells in something like a flashlight until they are exhausted.
If your concerned with a sealed battery pack, either hook up a load to the pack taking the voltage and mAh ratings, or maybe run it in the machine set aside and have the back light display on which provides additional drain. Of course the machine will shut down once the voltage drops below the minimum threshold operating voltage.
My conditioning chargers (have 3 of one type and 2 of another type) are a few years old, and my highest AA cells are 2300 mAh rated.
I should look into the current smart chargers and newer tech batteries. Maybe next time I swing into a local electronic store like Fry's.
Anyway, I'm not uppity on today's battery chargers and cells, so maybe others will provide input and also there must be a wealth of information on the Internet to keep a few raining day hours occupied. In most cases I believe higher mAh ratings give longer run time but not in ALL cases.
My cameras gave me short run time with alkaline and the NiMH provides much longer (or several more shots). It's a voltage drop threshold load demand.
My older 2000 mAh batteries are marked 7/03 (July 03) and still work fine in detectors, digital cameras, etc. The others are 2300 mAh, and I should have marked them also with a permanent marker when I first started using them - lazy I guess. My chargers take all night so they are not the quick chargers. I tried a quick a quick charger a couple years ago and the batteries cooked and swelled. Todays stuff probably have taken care of that problem, or I would hope so.
[attachment 79852 Charger.JPG]
