Multi-chemistry charger for 3-cell Li+ packs
The MAX1873SEEE+ is a multi-chemistry battery charger IC from Analog Devices, designed to charge 3-series cell packs up to 12.6 V with a programmable constant-current profile up to 4 A. Input supply tolerance extends to 28 V max, giving headroom for unregulated wall adapters or automotive rails without an external pre-regulator.
4 A charge current and thermal budget
A 4 A charge current into a 3-cell Li+ pack at 12.6 V means the IC dissipates power proportional to the dropout between input and battery — at 28 V input and full current, the die sees over 60 W, so the package's thermal impedance and board copper become the limiting factor, not the silicon. The constant-current programming pin allows the designer to set the charge rate via a single resistor, adapting the thermal load to the available heatsinking.