-> After reading everything posted recently, it's obvious a trickle charge concept
-> is a poor choice :( , so my question is this: I will have a NiMH battery pack
-> that will be sitting up for weeks if not months at a time, then it will
-> suddenly be needed on short notice (possibly minutes, normally a few hours), so
-> how do I maintain the batteries to have the freshest state possible when used
-> as noted?

-> Also, If I can quickly (i.e. minutes) discharge to a known state (R?) then
-> apply a full charge (say 25% of rated AH for four hours max, or something
-> better?) how do I determine the state of the batteries?

Only way I know is to load it with a fixed precise load, do the math of
ohms law and see if the internal resistance as reflected by the voltage
drop monitored by a volt meter at the measured voltage can supply the
designated discharge rate.

I built some of my chargers to automate this process
and cutoff   as required.
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