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BQ40Z50: Using BQ40Z50 as a Gas Gauge Only for Managed Battery Packs

Orkun Kilinc
Prodigy 10 points
Part Number: BQ40Z50

Hello,

I'm working on a design that requires the flexibility to either connect 4 individual cells to the BQ40Z50 to form a battery pack or use a pre-assembled 4S managed battery pack with just two leads.

For scenarios using the pre-assembled pack, we aim to utilize the BQ40Z50 primarily as a gas gauge, relying on its coulomb counter feature. We would like to know if it's possible to disable all protection features, or at least the cell-based protections, when using the BQ40Z50 in this way.

Is this feasible? If so, what are the necessary steps or considerations?

Thank you for your assistance.

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 37761 points

    Hey Orkun,

    Just want some clarification on your design, are you trying to implement the BQ40z50 as a system side gauge (where different battery packs can be swapped out a BQ40z50 is not directly integrated to the battery pack). This implementation is not recommended as the BQ40z50 is a pack side gauge.

    Yes, you are able to disable all protections.

    Regards,

    Nick Richards

  • 0 in reply to Adrian
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Nick,

    The pack or the cells will be non removable during operation. BQ40Z50 will always have a connection to the device and the pack or cells.  This flexibility is only needed during manufacturing so that we only have one board for two device variants(also board space constraints).

    Will the gauge be operational while everything else is disabled? Is it doing anything fancy with individual cell voltages to approximate SoC etc? 

    Kind Regards,

    Orkun

  • +1 in reply to Orkun Kilinc
    TI__Mastermind 37761 points

    Hey Orkun,

    Yes, the gauge will be functional with all protections turned off. You will just have to ensure in the application there is not an open circuit and there is always 4 batteries connected in series.

    Regards,

    Nick Richards