How to refurb 18v Ryobi battery packs?

[TMKits]

I've just replaced 2 Nicad 18v drill packs (http://www.ryobi.com.au/Products/Access ... P1801.aspx) with the new lithiums and am wondering if I should junk the nicads or is there a way to restore them? They hold very little charge. The packs have 3 contact points. - and + and ?

[RCModelReviews]

Nicads are not much use for anything these days. If they've got dendrite formation (where whiskers of metal grow through the separator plates) you can revitalize them to some extent by using pulses of hi-voltage/current to vaporize those whiskers but unless you've already got the gear to do that then it's not worth the hassle of even trying.

Don't throw them away though - Nicads contain some nasty stuff (cadmium is very toxic) -- deliver them to whoever takes care of recycling or toxic waste disposal in your area. Even a little cadmium in your drinking water can ruin your day so if those cells end up in a landfill the results are not nice.