Batteries > Discharging or Cycling

Q-9: "When I get home from the flying field I usually leave my transmitter and receiver on for approximately eight hours, until they are almost completely discharged. Then the night before I fly I recharge using the RC manufacturer’s charger for 15 hours. Is this a good process?" Answer...

Q-10: "I have a Futaba T6XA transmitter with an eight-cell 600 mAh capacity Ni-Cd battery pack. I tested the pack on a cycler and determined it had an actual capacity of 585 mAh. When I get to the flying field the meter reads 10.9 volts then in 15 minutes of operation it is down to 10.5 volts, and then in 15 more minutes it is down to 10.2 volts. Is this normal?" Answer ...

Q-92: I have two kind of related questions. 1) Assuming there is no 'memory' effect in Ni-Cd or NiMH batteries used in RC systems, why should they ever need to be 'cycled' or 'discharged'? 2. What would happen to RC system Ni-Cd or NiMH batteries if they were charged at a 5C or even 8C (very high) rate as opposed to the recommended 2C or 3C fast charge rates? Answer ...