Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

My new baby,

Fully working with help from SPCh, Avo 8 Mk II serial No. 35373-C-655 after a clean looks the part against the yellow DVM's I normally use.

Tony.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

My three for the file.

Model 7 (no Mk no.) No.22528-A-251
Model 8 Mk 3 No.27246.1065
Test set multirange No.1 No.4433-15-1062

Edward

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

My much-loved 8 Mk II was intercepted just before being despatched to a BBC skip in the early 80s. Its serial is 104096-C360.

Come to think of it, this device could do with some TLC and recalibration. I'd be glad of any recommendations.

John

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Thanks, guys.

Edward, your Model 7 is a Mk I (version 2) from 1951

For TLC instructions, consult contributions from PMMunro in earlier threads.

But I suggest that if it works, leave it alone. AVOs hold their performance almost indefinitely - often despite abuse. If you open them up, even just to look, you will allow dust ingress, moisture ingress, magnetic contamination/deterioration, and all sorts of handling-induced problems.
If it ain't broke ... resist the temptation to do what we all instinctively want to do.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

I don't suppose you're interested in my Avo 8 Mk.7 details, bit too new? Still, it must be almost 15 years old, so not *that* new :)
Is your history ready for reading anywhere? Looking forward to seeing it...

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

All information is valuable & gratefully received.

Most of the contributions have been for Model 8, very few have been for the real oldies (pre Model 7).

Despite everyone's sterling efforts, there are still not enough (of each type) to make a "story", yet, except that hand calibration of the many thousands churned out during WW II must have run up an enormous number of man- (or probably woman-) hours. Can't imagine who was left to actually do any fighting !

Keep them coming.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

ok, then.

My Avo 8 Mk.7 has serial no: M7555901007 1092

I know that it was bought between in the early to mid-90s, so I can easily believe that 10/92 indicates the manufacturing date.

It also has the VC-1 10:1 voltage converter to do away with the need for the pesky 15V battery, but I think this might have been ordered as an optional accessory.

Works perfectly, of course, and so much more fun than my soulless digi meters.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Three more from a museum where I'm a volunteer.

Model 7 No.7246-25586.

Model 7 Mk II No.49823-A-1054. This one is still regularly used some 50 years after construction for repair of vintage wireless equipment.

GPO Meter Multirange No.14C (AKA Avo Model 8 Mk III) No.104536-969.

Edward

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

I just collected the Model 8 I got on ebay.
It is a Mk 2, not 3 as the listing said. Sn:119696-C-361.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

OT questions and responses moved to this thread. Please stick to survey responses here.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

First of all four MOD AVO MK?, please see photo below, sorry about the poor quality.

I have been told that these are panclimatic models ?

7163.370

6259-15-667

13,104-3-72

3633,1267

Yes a few of the numbers them do seem odd ???


171716-C-266 conventional model 8, MOD

31883-C-255 model 8, civilian

68666-C-567 model 8, civilian

Finally I have two MOD model 40s which don't seem to have serial numbers, I've looked in all the usual places, battery compartment etc, ???.

Julian

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Okay; a lot of food for thought there.

First of all the picture: it's a NATO Test Set No 1. Essentially a Model 8 Mark II, bit with a 1-3-10 range sequence, no decibels scale, and a metal jacket outside the normal plastic one, with earthing screw at the top. (A nice bit of kit, but changing to a 1-3-10 range sequence AND deleting the dB seems a bit bizarre).

The first four on the list sound like Panclimatic variants of the Model 8 Marks IV, III, IV and II respectively.

The last three "honest" Model 8s are almost certainly Marks III, I and III respectively.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

hi head, my multimeter is an 8x , no. 170566.c.265, bought recently from ebay ,tag attached devonport royal dockyard ,weapon factory , f.a.o ray bulley , cost 7.50 gbp , posted to dublin at a cost of 30 euros , regards maitiu:beer:

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Several models from my schack (in Belgium) :
Model 40 - Part N° 10945-32A - N° 20887-B-1161
Model 7 MKII - Part N° 3284-144 - N° 101491-A-1266
Model 8 - Part N° 13574-3 - N° 36416-C-755
Avominor - N° U.15/134-843
EA113 Electronic Avometer - 2554-171 (on dial) - 2284 (on the rear)

Best whishes for your harvest ! René

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Avometer Model 8, Serial No: 10725-C-253

Bought by my Dad, in London, sometime in the late 50's. Rarely used.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Two more:

Avo 8 mk3, serial no. 89965. 1268. This was originally sold in Germany, and has the instructions plate in German. The controls and scale are in English however.

Avo 40 mk2, serial no. 20315-B-1260.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Model 7 Mark 2 serial# 83193-A-160

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

AVO 8 MKIII Serial 11058.265

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Avo Universal Avo Minor U 48422-742. Belonged to my grandfather, he kept it in an OXO box where it is still housed today. I figure it might be from the 1930s or 1940s.

Re: AVO Multimeter survey
 

Hi SPch,
i've allready pm'd you with my serial numbers i think, if not, please let me know and i'll do so but allmost certain i have. Still adding more to my collection though, so will probably give you an updated list at some point!
How far are you away from finishing the survey (how long is a piece of string, i guess?!)? Any plans to publish? I would love to read a book on the development of the Avo meter and the company in general.
All the best and keep up the good work, Percy.