BQ35100EVM-795: EOS Mode and Golden Image Creation

Tool/software:

These are probably pretty simple questions, but I just need some confirmation here:

https://www.ti.com/lit/an/sluaal7/sluaal7.pdf

I take this guide to mean that I don't need to perform any learning pulses before golden image creation. Is that correct? I have configured my gauge to match my pack and I want to perform discharge cycles for testing, but I want to make sure I've performed the necessary steps. 

I am using a 4ER34615M battery pack, 14.4V 13AH 187.2Wh. Here is everything I have done:

Calibration Procedure:

1. Put jumpers on:
   1. GE-PULL UP
   2. ALERT/PULL UP
   3. J3 = 4S
   4. J2 = 2-4S x2
2. Connect battery to BQ35100
3. Connect BQ35100 to EV2400 over i2c
4. Connect EV2400 to laptop
5. Open BQStudio and it should be auto detected.
6. Issue UNSEAL_FULL_ACCESS
7. Issue CAL_TOGGLE 
   1. From now on, between each step, check back between all actions and refresh registers to make sure “CalMode” is red before doing any calibration. If it goes green, issue CAL_TOGGLE again.
8. Program Chemistry: 0655
9. Data Memory:
   If you need to enter a value then double click the value box, enter the value, then press enter. Then press Write_All. Always press Read All and make sure the value is still set properly.
   1. Configuration:
      1. Operation Config A:
         1. Turn EXTVCELL ON (RED)
         2. Turn GMSEL1 ON (RED)
         3. Press “Write to Data Memory” on the modal
         4. Press Write_All on the Data memory table
   2. Gas Gauging:
      1. Cell Design Capacity mAH: 3250 mAH
      2. Cell Design Voltage: 3600 mV
      3. Series Cell Count: 4
10. Calibration
    Again, make sure CalMode is ON between every calibration. For every calibration option you will need to check the checkbox for that option then enter a value if applicable and press “Calibrate Gas Gauge”. You can do multiple at once, like CC Offset, Temp, and Voltage, but I wouldn’t do Current and Board Offset this way.
    1. Voltage
       1. Measure the voltage across the battery with a multimeter
       2. Enter the voltage in mV
    2. CC Offset
       This calibrates 0 current
       1. Make sure there is no current across the battery.
       2. Calibrate
    3. Board Offset
       1. If there is still a current shown on the gauge (-1 or so) then do the same with this and see if it goes away.
    4. Temperature
       1. Enter the ambient temperature of the room
    5. Current
       Calibrates for current under load
       1. Apply a known current (1A)
       2. Enter to current in mA (1000)
       3. Calibrate
11. Toggle CalMode off if it is on
12. Go back and make sure Data Memory > Configuration > Operation Config A is still configured as stated in 9.a.i
13. Issue Reset

So, in short, here are my questions:

1. Do I need to perform eos learning pulses before creating the golden image?

2. Do I need to seal it before creating the golden image?

3. Are there any other steps I need to take before creating the golden image?

4. Should I perform a rundown test before creating the golden image? It seems likely I should seal it, create a golden image, then perform a rundown test. Sound right?

5. Bonus question: When I run NEW_BATTERY in bqstudio I just get an error that says: WriteMACReadBlock communication error: First two bytes of MAC response read from device does not match MAC command sent. What's that about? Is the function actually running? I'm on 1.3.127 Build 3 11/11/2024

Thanks!