How to test Canon Power Drive Booster PB-E2

I have mysteriously acquired a Canon Power Drive Booster PB-E2 with a Ni-MH pack NP-E2. I'm not about to run out and buy a charger for the battery or acquire a battery holder for 8 AA batteries. Short of doing that, is there any way that I can test the unit to see if it still works?

After a few years or maybe months without charge the NiMH pack may be permanently damaged. If it has no voltage, assume it is shot and you could take the Ni-MH pack apart apart and fit some non-rechargeable batteries inside 'duct tape and bailing wire' fashion to test it.