The recommended input voltage range for the UC2846DW is 12V to 35V, although it can operate up to 40V with reduced performance.
The inductor value depends on the output voltage, output current, and switching frequency. A good starting point is to use the inductor value calculation formula provided in the datasheet, and then adjust based on the specific design requirements.
The soft-start pin (SS) is used to slowly ramp up the output voltage during startup to prevent inrush currents. Connect a capacitor from the SS pin to ground, and the IC will slowly charge the capacitor to control the output voltage rise time.
The voltage drop across the catch diode (D1) can be compensated for by adding a Schottky diode in series with the output capacitor, or by using a diode with a lower forward voltage drop.
The maximum output current capability of the UC2846DW is 3A, but this can be limited by the thermal performance of the package and the design of the output stage.