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24th Jan 2018, 2:25 am | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oslo, Norway.
Posts: 632
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AVO-odour
I picked up an AVOmeter (7 mkII) today. It has been stored in a basement (and been exposed to humidity) as far as I could smell. The leather on the bottom has perished, so I took all off. Even without leather the meter still has a "basement" smell. Is it some way remove get rid of the smell?
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24th Jan 2018, 9:44 am | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 2,511
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Re: AVO-odour
Will the smell not just fade away once the meter is kept in better conditions?
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24th Jan 2018, 10:05 am | #3 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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Re: AVO-odour
Hans, try putting the AVOmeter into a sealed container along with a bag of 'boil-in-the-bag' rice. The rice will absorb any residual moisture from the meter (it might help to split the case from the front panel). Leave it for a few days and see if the smell has reduced.
I recommend that you don't cook/eat the rice afterwards Best wishes Guy |
24th Jan 2018, 10:13 am | #4 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines.
Posts: 3,897
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Re: AVO-odour
Leather is organic, it rots and supports mould growth. Wipe the exposed area with a bicarbonate of soda solution to kill it.
Dry with rice as Guy suggests or silica gel sachets if you can find any. Real Naptha moth balls kill all other smells, I like the smell, some don't. |
24th Jan 2018, 12:53 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK.
Posts: 8,932
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Re: AVO-odour
The other trick is put in a bag with cat litter in it to absorb damp.
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24th Jan 2018, 1:26 pm | #6 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines.
Posts: 3,897
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Re: AVO-odour
Make sure the cat litter is new or you will have an even worse smell, Sorry, could not resist.
Best cat litter is Fullers earth, cheap stuff is a clay mix. The disposable dehumidifier pots are good, in a poly bag. |
24th Jan 2018, 2:38 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,052
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Re: AVO-odour
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24th Jan 2018, 6:50 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,106
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Re: AVO-odour
Wherever the surface of the bakelite is imperfect a small amount of moisture could have got in, thus >80% of the smell should go quite quickly with the method/s above but the remainder might take a bit longer. Let us know if it works.
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6th Feb 2018, 1:58 am | #9 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oslo, Norway.
Posts: 632
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Re: AVO-odour
I thought the leather caused much of the smell. I have had wat was left of the case hanging outside. Now it doesn't smell.
The AVO itself still smells a bit even after dried. I washed it with detergent, but that didn't do much difference. What really smells is the test leads, but they can be replaced, even if I would like to keep them. Maybe I should leave them in the sun for some UV exposeure? |
6th Feb 2018, 1:40 pm | #10 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,106
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Re: AVO-odour
The older rubber leads are of course prone to deterioration (the red ones tend to fail first) and they also have the disadvantage that they release a little sulphur while rotting, so if kept close with the avometer can cause the small switch contacts to blacken and fail to conduct.
I can't see a short burst of UV doing any harm to the leads (you have sunshine..? Where did i leave my passport..!?) |
7th Feb 2018, 2:58 am | #11 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oslo, Norway.
Posts: 632
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Re: AVO-odour
I'll have to wait a couple of months before the sun gets strong enough to anything useful...
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7th Feb 2018, 9:02 am | #12 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK.
Posts: 2,552
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Re: AVO-odour
I use a mild bleach called "Milton", mostly used for cleaning baby's feeding bottles & other utensils.
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When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it! |
7th Feb 2018, 8:27 pm | #13 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 3,051
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Re: AVO-odour
Milton is just a dilute (and purer than usual) solution of sodium hypochlorite, i.e. household bleach.
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