A little simulation here, showing what happens to a power
supply's output from near zero to a bit of overload, to focus on
the area where the "bleeder" or load current becomes high enough
to meet with the 'critical inductance' value of the choke at
hand. It makes a good case for a stout bleed. I hope it is
interesting.
http://208.190.133.201/bridge1.pdf
A simulated power supply made from a 3500V transformer with 240
ohm impedance, a mercury vapor bridge rectifier, 15H choke, 40uF
capacitor. Different loads were applied and the voltage/current
data taken. A set of charts were made in excel to illustrate the
behavior.
73
Patrick