You have it right. The only other thing to do to ensure they last is to
occasionally discharge them completely before a slow charge. This tends
to cancel out the "memory effect" which makes their charge shallow.

A resistor across them with a LED in series is usually sufficient.

Rob


Minty wrote:

I have a charger with standard and quick charge features for my 7.2v model
car battery pack. Which charging method is better for the life of the
battery pack, standard charge at 10-12 hours or quick charge at 4-5 hours? I
charge the pack mostly on standard charge with occassional quick charge. My
1800mAH battery pack is still in good condition after 3 years. I seemed to
have read somewhere nicads need to be quick charged from time to time for
whatever reason.