I was having problems with my switch mode power supply unit driving my Gecko 540. It kept blowing fuses until replacing the internal fuse didn't work anymore!!!. I then decided to build my own PSU from a toroidal transformer, some diodes, large capacitor etc. The capacitor is a very large one. It is a 250Vdc 15000uF. Because of this it will draw a huge amount of current as soon as I switch it on, albeit for a very short time. Should I use a current limiting resistor (surge resistor) to limit the initial jolt of current going into it or will I be ok leaving out this resistor.

At the moment I have no resistor in there, but am worried that it might be bad for the capacitor getting that initial 'jolt', or the secondary winding on the transformer burning out (as these were fairly pricey items). I dont really care about the diodes burning out.

Any ideas guys? Is anyone else using a large capacitor without the surge resistor?
(Just to put my mind at ease)

I would say you would be fine without one as most toroidal psu's only use a toroid coil, a bridge rectifier and capacitors. Same goes for the ANTEK's

Thanks for that. I will leave it as it is so. Cheers.