AVO Multimeter survey

[GJR 11L]

AVO 8 s/n 61732-C-657

[Neil F]

Here are a couple more - Avo 8 Mk 2: 134286-C-162

and Multirange test set high sensitivity: 6625-99-105-7050

[Keith Jillings]

If you're still interested...

I have an Avo Model 9 Mk II - no, I'd never heard of them before, but it was offered on eBay and I'd always wanted a "real" Avo alongside the long series of cheap oriental meters that I throw away when they die.

It bears the serial number 13418-468. The blurb on the back says it's 20k per volt (50 uA movement). The only pain in using it is getting hold of the BLR121 batteries - it came with an almost-flat EverReady battery in there.

It's very nostalgic - reminds me of my distant youth!

[SPCh]

Yes, I am still interested, thanks. The Model 9 Mark II (there never was a Mark I) is essentially an "internationalised" Model 8 Mark II, with symbols rather than letters, and a 1-3-10 range sequence. Yours was made in April 1968.
The high reistance range batteries do appear regularly on ebay (at around £7 each), but a favourite "fix" is to use two PP3s in series with either a resistor (typically 100k) or a string of diodes. It's a tight squeeze, and you have to curl the battery springs out of the way, but once done it's good for all time.

[Dave Moll]

I bought my BLR121s from Maplins. It came as big surprise to the chap who served me when he found that he had them - especially as he had never heard of an AVO meter

[pmmunro]

Child deprivation verging on abuse!! (On the part of the shop assistant's parents, that is).

PMM

[howard]

Hello,

I have two Avo meters both bought at BVWS auctions, a model 8 No. 279-C-954 which has a crinkly finish on it's base and a model 8 mk III No. 17328.665. The first one was a reconditionned unit but doesn't quite work properly so I bought the second unreconditionned one which does work perfectly. I am visiting Sycom in Leatherhead tomorrow to acquire better leads and hopefully a set of push-on caps for the terminals.

Howard.

[SPCh]

Howard,

Thanks for the input. Are you sure the serial number for the first one is correct ? It looks like it's lost a couple of digits. I would expect 279xx - C - 954.

Cheers

SPCh

[Radio_Dave]

Hi, I've found a box with the following multimeters,

Model 36 number 104 - 3152

Model 8 Mk II number 145592 - C - 962

Model 8 Mk IV no number on scale but there's a sticker on the side with 48457 84/6/71

Model 9 Mk II number 941 - 264

...I'll probably find some more later

While we're talking AVO's, regarding the meter movements, does it matter what position the multimeters are stored in?

Thanks
David

[howard]

Originally Posted by SPCh

I would expect 279xx - C - 954. SPCh

Oops yes you're quite right, it should have read 27961-C-954. Sorry about that. I did get some good second hand AVO leads today with spade connectors and long thin clip-on probes but no terminal caps for the AVO 8 III

Howard.

[SPCh]

Radio Dave,

I'm not sure what the official "line" on this is; PMMunro might have the deep theory, precise answer. My instincts, which I always follow, is to store them horizontally; that way, I imagine, the bearings shouldn't "learn" any "bad habits" - though the weight of the moving coil (negligible) will always be on the lower jewel.

Which reminds me of the question "Have you ever noticed how, when cows are grazing, their heads always point in the same direction ?"

With "direction" we instinctively think in terms of North, South, East and West; towards or away from the sun ? Backs to the wind or the rain ?

The answer (trivial and obvious) is simply "Downwards !"

[glowing antique]

Just dug one out of the cupboard marked as follows (have a few)!!!!
UNIVERSAL
AVO METER
9
SX
Case S/No. 5QP/17447 (crows foot mark)
Movement
Markings TYPE 12889 10S/17447.
SER.NO 1012-IS-361
PART NO.13574-5
Mounted in a bronze hamerite finished steel case.complete with rubber leads,clips an orange/light brown AVO carry case all in very good condition.
I bought it from a motorcycle jumble in London 10 years ago,£15

Also have
spare
movement
marked THORN EMI Instruments Limited
Part No. 6120-478
No dial numbers and very well packed (military)

[CanonMan]

Just dug out my Avo 8 MkIII out from the loft

The serial number is 56955-467.

[wave solder]

Here is part of my little collection:-

Avo 40 MKII No.25078-B-564
Avo 8 MkIII No.48562-466
My Avo 9IV has no serial No. on the scale just a number on the case:- 55008 94-9-71
Avo 8 MkII No.139378-C-562

I have more, will add them to the list as I find them.

[wave solder]

I have found my Model 7, it's serial No. is:- 21923-A-251.
I also have a Multiminor Mk4 and a Avominor, sadly no numbers anywhere on either of these (apart from the moulded in part No's of course). I think that completes my list of AVO Multimeters

[wave solder]

I have just added a Heavy duty Avometer in bakerlite case and escutcheon to the collection Serial No. 4475-168.
I have also found an 25,00VDC AVO Multiplier Type 8.

[Superhet Si]

I have just acquired another AVO This one is, what I think, an AVO 8 MK1, built in 1967. The serial number is 1143.1.67 and part number 13574-80.
This AVO was given to me by my girlfriend, and belonged to her Father who does not use it anymore. The origin of this meter could well be Bristol Filton. It comes complete with a vinyl green case and test leads.

Just found a link to the exact same meter
http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/testsetno1.html

[pmmunro]

Superhet,

As you will have seen from the link you quote, this is a "Test Set No. 1", essentially a screened, panclimatic variant of the Model 8 with 1-3-10 series ranges, rather than the 1-2.5-10 of the corresponding civil models. The military versions also have the resistance scales on the INSIDE arc of the scale plate which makes sense since the voltage and current ranges are the more accurate ones and hence benefit most from the greater scale length. The alternating current ranges are 10A, 2.5A, 1A and 100mA on the civil models; on the Test Set Mk I, the second value is 5A instead of 2.5A

By 1967, the Model 8 had reached the Mk III version. The Model 8 Mark I was never officially known as anything other than simply the Model 8.

With a DC accuracy of 1% and its very robust construction, many people who don't mind the weight would argue that this is possibly the best Avometer ever made.

PMM

[SPCh]

I would agree with that. But then I would, wouldn't I ?

[Top Cap]

AVO 8 Mk.6 No.0001172BE Dated 2/84
Les