Rectifier works! Regulator.. iffy

[iamnothim]

The rectifier works great !

Thanks to David_AVD, IanB, AlfBaz, westfw, and others for your patience and ideas.
I was able to get to the voltage and current I wanted using a Rescton BR31 single-phase bridge rectifier.
The calculations vs. reality was within 8%.  In addition I added a 65000µF "smoothing" cap.

That was very cool to see on the scope, but it tacked on 1V.  (Why?)  I added a 2.5? resistor and bingo.

I spent about 20 minutes with the voltage regulator I bought, but I didn't know what I was doing.
I threw a 2.7? resistor in a loop from out to adj.  It passed voltage.... but it was warming up..
I will look into calculation on the adjustment circuit and see if I can make it work.

I switched transformer mfg.'s from Hammond Mfg. to Triad Magnetics.
Hammond was awful.  I had a DOA, (no continuity on the primary) which Mouser replaced.
But I sent it to Hammond anyway.  They said yes it had a problem, however, "they are all tested at the factory and either Mouser or myself did something."
I also asked for some info on the primary ratios when 120V is applied rather than 115V.   They never answered.

Triad Magnetics      on the other hand was amazing.  I ordered a couple of their board mounted transformers from Mouser.
Before they arrived I email support and asked the same question about the primaries.  I said it was not a commercial application
and that I am a retired hobbyist.

Less than a day later, Jim Mettler, the Engineering Manager, wrote a one page reply with everything I needed to know.
I was amazed.  The transformers are compact and run very cool.

Before Smoothing Cap


After Smoothing Cap  6.35V DC  and .413A