The LTC1473 provides a power management solution for single and dual battery notebook computers and other portable equipment. The LTC1473 drives two sets of back-to-back N-channel MOSFET switches to route power to the input of the main system switching regulator. An internal boost regulator provides the voltage to fully enhance the logic level N-channel MOSFET switches. The LTC1473 senses current to limit surge currents both into and out of the batteries and the system supply capacitor during switch-over transitions or during fault conditions. A user-programmable timer monitors the time the MOSFET switches are in current limit and latches them off when the programmed time is exceeded. A unique “2-diode mode” logic ensures system start-up regardless of which input receives power first.