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LM3489: Lead acid battery float charger design

Part Number: LM3489

Using LM3489 as a basic lead acid battery float charger.

 

Specs required:

+V_MAIN is 13.6V-13.8V

Max 300mA constant current limit to charge battery.

13.6V battery float voltage.

Battery automatically supplies system if main input power fails, max 2A required for system.

Low power dissipation.

Low dropout.

 

Question:

When the main power input fails, current will initially flow through the P-FET body diode and supply the system. In this state will the LM3489 turn in the P-FET? Based on the datasheet I think it will. This is good for me as it gives a low drop out connection from the battery to the system.

Can I have a secondary system, in parallel to the LM3489, pull the P-FET gate low? Or what is the best way to force the LM3489 to turn on the P-FET, e.g. pull the FB pin low.

Schematics available via email

  • Yes.

    After input power fail, the body diode of the power PFET will pull down the output and supply the input with power if the PFET is off at that instant. Otherwise, the PFET will be on also pulling power out of the output and supplying the input. In either case, the output will drop below its regulation point. At this point, the controller will turn the PFET on 100% of the time until input voltage drops below UVLO set using EN or below 4.5 V. Once UVLO is activated, the PFET is turned off.

    When the PFET is turned off, the gate is shorted to VIN, through approximately 5.5 Ohms, making the secondary system difficult to design.

    Regards, Robert