Question about charging 18650 batteries

[HawkeyeCS]

I just picked up an xtar wp2 charger, and some panasonic 2250mah imr 18650 batteries. This charger has two charging settings, one for a .5 amp charge, and another for a 1 amp charge. Is there any difference other then time to charging at a higher amp setting? Any negatives associated with charging at higher or lower amps? Haven't really dealt with high powered litihium ion batteries much before, and just want to make sure I'm giving my batteries the best possible charge in terms of power and also for longevity of the cell.

Also at what voltage would you recommend swapping the batteries out at? I've got a new 1.5 version lavatube and the new one as far as I can tell only has a little 5 bar battery meter on it, and doesn't give me a voltage reading. Once I can find my multi-meter, I plan on checking voltages to see if the bars perhaps correspond with certain voltages, not quite sure as this new device is still fairly new and not a lot of info out there yet...

 

[ChrispyCritter]

Read the battery specs it should tell you the highest you can charge them at..anyways you should charge the 2250mAh 18650's at 1a as the probably can be charged at up to 1.5a or 1500mA (1000mA = 1a)..if you charged them at .5a it would take too long. It shouldn't shorten battery life at 1a.

I usually charge my batteries if I see them at 3.5v others say higher..anyways it should be fine to just charge them at 3.3v as from what I've read as long as they don't go below 3v it really won't shorten battery life. At dead it should be 3.3v on the meter as that is supposed to be the cutoff with "LT's"...