[HomeBrew] Transformers as Inductors

[Jim Miller]

I would like to "buffer" the current spikes drawn by the ALS500 solid state amplifier (85 amp peaks) from my 70 amp Astron RS70M supply.  Seems like an inductor in the power line would do just the trick.  Not having a bunch of inductors under the bench, I thought maybe I could use a big transformer as an inductor by using either the primary or secondary winding in series as the inductor.  I have some HEAVY ones available (not even considering the old pole pig).

Just so you have the complete story - I have two 12 volt car batteries in parallel and on a maintenance charger under the bench now that are connected directly to the "battery buss bars" and then on to the amplifier.  The power supply is connected to "power supply buss bars" (fed by the RS70M) as is the remainder of the equipment.  I then have (currently) 25 feet (only 4 foot needed, excess wound in a coil) of 16 gauge wire running between the two sets of buss bars (I know, it is too small BUT it is used to CREATE resistance to help buffer the shock of the current spikes from the power supply and the remainder of the equipment) through a manual air conditioner disconnect contactor like on the outside of your house by the A/C unit (removed from the box and mounted on the leg of my bench).  This also provides power failure backup for my entire station.  Intentions are to also connect the computer UPS battery bank through external wiring to the power buss for extended PC operation as well.  A generator provides extended period outage backup and backup station lighting will be off of the UPS.

On the inductor:

1. Stupid idea - won't work?

2. Which winding - primary or secondary winding would be best? - primary best but have to use the secondary because of the current required?

3. Should I try to find a 120 to 24 volt or a 120 to 6 volt?  Which would be best?

4. What to do with the other winding?  Nothing?  Resistor?  Big or small?  a big electrolytic capacitor?  Short it out?

I actually don't see why it wouldn't work.  I just don't have the electrical expertise to know how to set it up.

Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP