Scott,
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quite a few of the Charger Schematics I have for NiCd "Simple" Chargers, use only one Diode. Maybe this is why they tend to be "Fast Chargers"
Shouldn't a Battery Charger, charging a DC battery have a virtually "AC-free" input to the battery under charge?.
I've heard that having some sort of an AC Component on a Battery can have a marked effect on the Electro-chemical processes during it's charging.