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BQ24041: BQ24041 Charge termination and Refresh Threshold VRCH

Part Number: BQ24041
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: BQ24040, BQ24045

I am using the BQ24041DSQT to change a single LiIon backup battery used to power the processor & memory when power is lost in order to provide time to save data and shutdown the file system properly. The drain is less than 1C for 30 seconds maximum.  However after 6 months the battery is damaged with an ESR of above 5 Ohms (10 times the value expected).  I found that these systems always have a battery voltage of 4.2 volts all the time, even when charge should have been complete for days.  I believe it is this high voltage degrades the battery. instead of maintaining it at a nominal 3.7 volts. 

The datasheet specifies the VRCH as 0.1 volt below the VOUT (4.2) as the point where a charge is restarted.  However, the datasheet specifies VRCH in the section titled "RECHARGE OR REFRESH – bq24040 / bq24045" thus I assumed that after the battery charge terminated there would be no automatic restart for the BQ24041 (I do have ASI tied to 0 volts).

Does the BQ24041 automatically recharge to maintain the battery at 4.1 to 4.2 volts?