"GO BEARCATS" wrote in message
...

The radio doesn't know if there are standard flashlight batteries or
rechargables installed. If it could tell standards from rechargables, it
could autoswitch the charger off for standard batteries.

Either type of battery should provide the current to run the radio. If it
doesn't work on batteries, there's probably a bad connection somewhere.

Here's a note on trickle charging Nicads:

"The more common "memory effect" isn't memory at all, but voltage depression
caused by overcharging. Positive plate electrochemistry is very complicated,
but overcharging changes the crystal structure of the nickelic hydroxide
from beta-Nickelic Hydroxide to gamma-Nickelic hydroxide. The
electrochemical potential of the gamma form is about 40 to 50 mV less than
the beta form. This results in a lower discharge voltage. In a six cell
(7.2v) pack, this means a loss of 300 mV. Trick? Don't overcharge. Leaving
cells on a trickle charger encourages formation of gamma nickelic hydroxide.
Expect the cells to discharge at a lower voltage."

http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Battery.html

You might also check out:

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

Frank Dresser