Kate,
   
  First question; do you have a digital multimeter in the electrical circuit? 
If not then you have no idea what is happening. They are available from Harbor 
Freight for  $5.00.
   
  Get one and make some current vs time data plots and then I can help.
   
  When on another list back in 1999, there was as man who called himself 
"sourdough" and he brewed his CS until it was red. It was the only thing that 
would relieve the pain in his body. He had been seriously injured in a logging 
accident.

"Ole Bob"