[HomeBrew] Transformers as Inductors

[jeremy-ca]

You might want to post that on the amps reflector as the designer of the 
ALS500 is on it sometimes.

Go to www.contesting.com and follow the links to the forum sign-up.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Miller" <JimMiller at STL-OnLine.Net>
To: "Homebrew, Reflector" <HomeBrew at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 7:48 AM
Subject: [HomeBrew] Transformers as Inductors


** Please do NOT cross-post messages when posting to HOMEBREW **

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


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