Product Description:

The Battery Saver Breakout (BSB) features the MAXIM MAX1614 high-side NMOSFET switch driver that provides battery power-switching functions in portable equipment. The MAX1614 also features a 1.5%-accurate low-battery comparator that can be used to indicate a low-battery condition, provide an early power-fail warning to the system microprocessor, or disconnect the battery from the load, preventing deep discharge and battery damage. An internal latch allows for pushbutton on/off control with very low current consumption. Off-mode current consumption is only 6μA while normal operation requires less than 25μA.

This device can be used with designs powered from DC power supplies or regulators as well.

Refer to the Specs and Docs section below for the board schematic, BOM and MAX1614 datasheet.

Features:

• Supports +26VDC @ 3A max of power delivery to system load
• Implements reverse current protection
• Adjustable under-voltage lockout prevents batteries from discharging to unsafe voltage levels
• Alerts when battery voltage is low by asserting /LBO.
• /ON and /OFF latched input pins permit MCU to control system shutdown (see truth table on schematic)
• Adjustable soft-start output
• Attaches to 0.1" spaced solderless and perforated breadboards (e.g. Arduino Proto Shield)

Technical Details:

• Supply voltage: +5VDC to +26VDC
• Input/output current: 3A max
• PCB size: 1.6 x 0.9 in.
• 2oz. copper outer layers to support high power in small form factor

Usage Recommendations:

• When the MCU and Battery Saver Breakout board (BSB) are connected to the same power source such that the MCU and breakout board are powered on at the same time, it is OK to route the breakout /OFF and or /ON pins to MCU GPIO ONLY if the MCU GPIO power on with GPIO set to Hi-Z or open-drain without internal pull-ups. If there is any uncertainty isolate /ON and /OFF pins from MCU GPIO using logic-level NMOSFETs.
• Do not route the BSB /ON and /OFF pins directly to MCU GPIO if the plan is to power the BSB first and then use the BSB to supply power to the MCU. The BSB /OFF and /ON pins are pulled-up internally to +8.5V nominal. When the BSB is powered before the MCU the voltage on the BSB /ON and /OFF pins will likely back-power the MCU GPIO causing the /ON and /OFF pins to be held low and the BSB will never connect the battery to the load. If this setup is desired, use NMOSFETs to isolate the BSB /ON and /OFF pins from the MCU GPIO, allowing the them to pull-up. Pulsing /ON LOW while /OFF is HIGH will connect the battery to the load.