On 4/23/20 10:53 AM, Robert via cctalk wrote: > I'm under caffeinated and not really with it yet, having recently gone semi > nocturnal, so you'll want to double check this with someone who's actually > awake. > > That said, variacs aren't a universal panacea and can sometimes be harmful > rather than helpful. My disorganized memory is offering TVs as an example, > but take that with a pinch of salt. I've only ever used them with tube > radios and amps, so have nothing further to offer, save this caution.
My own experience is that they're pretty much useless when a siwtch-mode power supply is involved. If you're dealing with a linear power supply, a good first move, in my experience, is to hook a high-wattage (say, 100W) in series with the AC line for first power-up. --Chuck
