I had a similar problem with Alphas 2400 NiCads, hence why sometimes (first round of winter tour and at colchester) the batteries go flat after only taking about 250mAh. At first i thought it was because they were new and was part of the cycling process, but strange how they did it again after nearly 6 months (Although hadnt been used for a while). I found that if you put them on automatic they seem to fully charge, but when on manual they didnt, i wasnt keen on the auto function for them as it was trying to put 5Amps into 2.4Ah cells, but seems to be the only way for them to take charge.

Alan