[Amps] Quadra step start

[Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP]

But if the step-start also controls the filament voltage it should be 
longer than 100 ms. I have always adjusted mine to be about 1s in order 
to give the filament time to heat up. I have no idea what the 'correct' 
delay would be, but the 3-500Zs seem to be glowing after about a second.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 27 Apr 2017 11:33, Ian White wrote:
> It also needs pointing out that the large majority of step-starts are
> way too long. Modeling with typical values shows that the surge into the
> electrolytic capacitors only lasts about 5 mains cycles (about 100
> milliseconds) and then you're ready to step up to full mains voltage.
> There is no advantage in stretching out this period any longer. Some
> people seem to imagine that a step-start period of several seconds is
> "more kind to the components" - but in fact it is the exact opposite.
> All it does is stretch out the overload time for the step-start
> resistor, and increase the risk of it failing.