Quote Originally Posted by pescador View Post
. If I used a car battery would the result be the same? I need to try that.
After what you have seen ... I wouldn't even try !!!

that means your electronic load draws lots of current @ start ( called an overshoot ) and you are not sure it's internal circuits can withstand, say, 40, 50 or more Amps the car battery could easily give ...
" magic smoke " probably in sight ...

Glad you got it in the end ...

Alain