Suggestions/Decision matrix

[ModischFabrications]

Hey, first off: Thanks a lot for these boards! They are a great reference for newcomers, me included. I especially like the explanations of design decisions and the clean schematics.

That said, can you offer some advice on when to use which design? I roughly understand how they work, but I can't really say if I should use a TP4056 based board, one with a MCP73831 or one of the all-in-one chips like the IP5306. Are newer boards just better?

Another nice addition would be some kind of checklist on which ones need protected cells and which one doesn't. I think most of these boards need protected ones, but it's difficult to say if some of the chips include protection.

If you need some use cases, here are mine:

• Dock Mode/UPS: mostly plugged in, but offers battery backup for a few hours. Needs power path and ~1A max current. Turned on only a few hours a day or always on.
• IoT Sensors: Charge every few months, which can happen without power path. Focus on low I_q , always on.
• ..?