[Milsurplus] LM-18 and AC PS Questions.. More

[brunneraa1p at comcast.net]

Re:
> I suppose the switch use depends partly on the 800 CPS power supply. If the
> supply is an engine driven generator or APU the setting could well depend on
> throttle settings and other loading. I think the switches, although they
> adjust capacitive reactance, are really to adjust line voltage.

Think of the generator as a perfect generator with a series reactor, and the carbon-pile regulator regulating the field current to maintain the output voltage.  As the load increases there is voltage drop through the series reactor which must be compensated by raising the generator voltage.  When maximum possible generator voltage is reached, voltage output will unavoidable drop with increased load, as it cannot be compensated.  The series capacitor neutralizes the generator (mostly armature) reactance, eliminating the reactance voltage drop, and greatly increases generator output at rated voltage.  This is mostly load-independent, and definitely not for line voltage adjustment.  All this, and carbon pile adjustment, is on Mile Hanz's web site, but I can't find it just now...

Richard Brunner, AA1P