Thanks for all the info.
Mozikluv, you prob. know this already, but to elaborate a little on time constants for others who read the forum, the formula is T=RC where T is 1 time constant, R is the resistance in series with the capacitor, and C is the capacitance of the cap in question.
Also, a capacitor is considered fully charged/discharged after 5 time constants. The rise or fall of Vc (cap voltage) changes by about 63% in one time constant.
The significant time constant factors are:
.2 -- 20%
.5 -- 40%
.7 -- 50%
1 --- 63% (63.2)
2 --- 86% (86.6)
3 --- 96%
4 --- 98%
5 --- 99%
There is a very slight decimal deviation of these percentages, but these the workable, and the ones I was given at school. (ref Txt: Malvino, Grob)
Ron, I think I probably want to use a capacitor discharging to hold the relay open, since I intend to use a capacitor to help filter the diode feeding the relay, I'm thinking the diode will block the cap(s), and they will have to discharge through the relay coil.
To better explain, I drew the circuit, and it is posted Here:
http://www.geocities.com/hamfiles/Dualregulator.htm
I think this will work, but I have to wait a couple of days to buy a relay to try it out. Basically, I wanted a cheap, simple way to soft-start my supply, and I didn't want to have to use another transformer to power a relay, or a couple of Triacs on the dc side. I know I will need some high wattage resistors for R surge, and R relay, but it will be worth not having to use another transformer. The circuit is almost finished. I also might add a Green LED to light up within about 4-5 seconds, when the capacitors are charged after warm-up, kind of a "Ready" light. I don't really care about delaying the relay turning on, I just want it to stay on to short switch 'B' for longer than the few microseconds when switching from B to C, so that the circuit will not turn off. I know that a simple fix would be a custom switch that leaves "B" on when switching to "C", but I think it is out of my price range.
Also, I'm thinking of using position 'A' on the switch in series w/ some resistors to short the rails after the rectifier, and after the regulators, to discharge all of the caps once the power is off.
Sorry about writing a book here, I very much appreciate all of your info and feedback.
Thanks.