Waking up old NiCads RC2000's and RC2400's

[DrDiff]

I have 2 pairs of older packs one pair is Sanyo RC2000 and the other pair is RC2400's. I have not raced 1/10 for over a year and a half. My traditional procedure is to charge at 4.5 amps on a MRC Super Brain 969. Run the packs and then use an auto cut off device and a load of 20 amps to drain the remaining energy and then put the cells on a Trinity Real Time Conditioner Tray

Money is tight so new GP3300's or Sanyo 3600's are out of the question. How many cycles should I put the cells through to "Wake Them Up" from this storage time?

[TC3B3L3T3GT]

What is the Real Time's cutoff? I use the Integy Octane 2, and here's what I do to give old batteries a new life: If it takes it all the way down to 0.00, leave the batteries on that thing for a few days at least (about a week is perfect), and then charge them up. Do this 3 or 4 times to each battery, then you're set.

[DrDiff]

I believe it is 0.065 volts per cell

[highroller]

One or two cycles may be all that is needed. Charge them, after peaking let the rest 15-20min or charge the next pack, repeak at same charging levels then discharge pack. If possible write down the peak voltage (mah capacity a peak), discharge time generally nicads show lowerage voltage, higher runtime after 2wk or more of inactivity, compare this against past results if you have them. If results aren't too good, let pack(s) rest 1 or 2 days (gives cells time to stablize) then do a second cycle, peak voltage may be higher or more normal while discharge time is shorter - more inline with what you see doing normal use.
The Real Time 2 will take cell down to zero, just leave them on for 20-30minutes. If you are looking for cells to race or even for bashing the GP3300 are still the best NiMH, the Sanyo 3600 only benefit is added runtime sanyo still hasn't been able to improve the voltage, internal resistance or the problems with cell breakdown.