In reference to the BQ24172 Lipo charger IC.
How important are the external Schottky diodes on the “SW” and “BTST” pins? Data sheet gives no guidance as to when these are needed.
Efficiency should improve with the proper external diodes but how to quantify their impact?
Also, the data sheet makes a big deal about fixed vs removable battery. I don’t understand why this matters.
I need to build a charger to maintain a 3 cell removable Lipo. I don’t need the “power path feature” or the input FETs driven by “ACDRV”.
My charger circuit will look like the one in the data sheet Fig 25 but with a 3 series cell removable battery.
Any downside to doing this?
Thanks
Tony B
