AVO Multimeter survey - Page 23 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PJL · 9th May 2009, 2:39 pm

Just picked up AVO 8 12357-C-353 from the car boot and although it's (slightly) older than me it still works fine although missing its leads unfortunately. A 1953 original so that's 6000 a year or so I guess.

SPCh · 29th May 2009, 2:30 am

Sorry, I've been out of circulation for a few weeks.
Thanks for the input, but you're underestimating the production rate:
it was nearer to 9,000 for 1953 !
And ALL hand calibrated on TEN cardinal points !
(I'll resist the temptation to evangelise)

rincewind · 6th Jun 2009, 9:15 am

Hi,I have an 8 MK111 No 70475.1167
and an 8 MKV No 0033898 CC 8V
Paul

Neil Breward · 19th Jun 2009, 2:05 pm

Hi - I've got an ex-works (scrapped!) AVO Model 7 MkII, Serial number 46955 A 454.

Cheers,
Neil

GrimJosef · 21st Jun 2009, 12:34 pm

Hi, two more for the collection (assuming you don't already have them - I've just acquired them and don't know their history):

AVO 7 71042-8654

AVO 8 167823-C-364

I don't know what Mk Nos they are so I've attached some pics. I imagine there is nothing special about them, but if there is I'd be interested to know. Am I right in thinking they are 1954 and 1964 respectively ?

Cheers,

GJ

SPCh · 21st Jun 2009, 3:19 pm

Thanks for the input.

First off, they're ALL special, but let that pass (OK, I'm a freak).

As you suggest, the Model 8 is from 1964, and is one of the last:
it's from March, and the Mark III took over from June of that year.

The Model 7 is much older, and uses an earlier numbering scheme:
it's from October 1942 (before I was born, and probably in better 'nick' than I am !).

Treat them with care.
If you can check the calibration on the Model 7,
I'd be interested to hear the result by PM.

glowinganode · 24th Jun 2009, 10:15 pm

My Model 9 mk2 has the following s/n; 16154.1168
Calibration is spot on even after 40+ years. Only trouble I've had was with the cam contacts which someone had tried to "adjust" in situ. Totally stripped down the meter and contacts, only to find the original fault once reassembled. The cam had either worn or lost its timing, I'm surprised the cam isn't keyed to the shaft. All ok now though, have genuine 0-30KV probe to go with it too. A pleasure to use, and easy to repair.

SPCh · 25th Jun 2009, 10:43 pm

Yes, they're virtually indestructible,
and the Model 9 Mk II came at the end of the "great era".

Cherish her -
like ships, they're all female, and have individual personalities.

(I would advise you to sniff her [respectfully], but might get booted off by the Moderators !)

Longespee · 3rd Jul 2009, 12:57 pm

I have an 8X Panclimatic Model, steel Hammerited shroud with green fabric/plastic carrying case. Bought from an Autojumble, great condition.
No 70974-C-258. A.P.12945A
Regards, Sean.

micheal · 13th Jul 2009, 11:42 am

Hi spch heres my avos
dc avominor
8140-14 (jan 1934)
15130-54 (may 1934)

d.c. avominor TYPE H.R.
206-108 (oct 1938)

avominor TYPE E
E21264-1945

universal avominor
54320-143
113542-751

model 1A 2692-157
model 1A3406-257
model 2 3195-1254
model 2 7436-1256

D.C. avometer
13range (model 2) 4292
22range (model 6) 6394

universal avometer
36range (model 5)
114-3190 (nov 19340)

british rail avometer
957-1249 die cast ali type

model D
20797-645

universal avomrter
TYPE H.R.2026-450 model 1

model 8 Mk7
1011 M566270-1190

model 9 Mk2
1189-1165

model 12
2678-468

model 16
11019-v-271

model 47A
13488-144

model 48A
10680-143

model EA113
5866-6c31-776

regards Mike

jamesinnewcastl · 25th Jul 2009, 2:19 am

Hi

Here are mine

EA 113 5365

Avometer 8 05470 8V/11/78

James

gvinrad · 30th Jul 2009, 9:21 am

Hi, as a new member who discovered this forum whilst looking for avo info i thought i had better do my bit.

I have a model 7 mkII serial No 76519-A-658, this one came out of a skip at the local regional college !.

My other one is a model 8 mkIV serial No 33060 84/2/71, it says avo ltd dover on the label. This was purchased last weekend from a car boot sale for £8, not sure if it works yet as it has no batterys in it. Gerry.

pnickland · 2nd Aug 2009, 1:22 am

Have several AVOs and will dig out serials.
The one on my desk may be a bit of an oddity:-
Model 7 MK2 serial No:-49460-A-954
Its in a normal black case but the Front is BROWN. Brown switch selectors.Brown terminal screws .Normal white meter part no : 10945-19
May have got it originally when AVO donated bits to the Radio Club that I was involved in , when at school. Would have been in about 1959-60 ish.
Anyone any ideas?
Regards
Nick

pmmunro · 3rd Aug 2009, 12:45 pm

Nick,

Brown phenolic mouldings, as you describe for the front panel and knobs of your Model 7, are characteristic of panclimatic Avometers. Panclimatic models are designed for use in extreme climates including tropical conditions of high temperature and humidity. The brown moulding is a modified version of phenolic resin which resists mould growth.

Avometers designed for these conditions were available from the late 1940s in response to experience of using electronic equipment in the Far-east during the Second world war.

Some early panclimatic Model 8 meters are a milk-chocolate colour with a reddish tinge which becomes quite marked in some lighting conditions. If you ever hear of a "red" Avometer, it is probably one of these.

If your meter is a genuine panclimatic model, many of the internal components will be encapsulated in epxoy resin, also to counteract mould growth.

As late as 1954, there were still post-war material shortages, so that some meters may possibly have been built up with available mouldings even if they were not to full panclimatic specification.

PMM.

jamesinnewcastl · 3rd Aug 2009, 9:32 pm

Add to the collection the next in my collection:

A Universal AVO Minor

Serial number not obvious on the meter but the case has No.U40365-241

Ah, faceplate serial no. is U40365-241 so they are the same. This one belonged to a Captain in the Royal Signals if you are interested. The glass is loose so I have put a 'help' request in the forum.

James

M0XNA Neil · 9th Aug 2009, 4:19 pm

I have another AVO 9 which was an ex-RAF instrument. It has serial number 10,011 - 1170, so I assume it was manufactured in November 1970. It is in good working condition, has a burgundy tinted bakerlite facia and metal case. It is slightly larger than my military AVO 8 Mark 6 and quite a bit heavier.

Neil.

Alan Stepney · 9th Aug 2009, 7:21 pm

Aquired today at the FRARS Hamfest:

Avo 47A S.No, 401361-942
And,
Avo 7X panclimatic. I'm not sure about the serial number. It isnt in the usual place, on the scale near the bottom of the glass.
On the case at top centre it has 6625-99-943-1531
On the side of the case is a stick-on label, AVO Ltd, Serial No. 20140 7X/11/70
(There is also a partially erased label that originally said ASWE-Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment. I assume it came from Portsdown Hill.)

Would the actual AVO serial number just be on an adhesive sticker?

SPCh · 9th Aug 2009, 7:30 pm

Yes, the serial nhumber is the one on the sticker. The number at the top of the case is a NATO Stock Number.

AlanBeckett · 9th Aug 2009, 7:48 pm

Alan,
That takes me back. I used to go to ASWE regularly, and AUWE as well, although it was nothing to do with weapons. I also went to SRDE, which was the real story

Alan

Kevin Hoyland · 9th Aug 2009, 9:16 pm

Hello.
My AVO is a modle 8xpanclmatic. Its number is 171247-c-565= May 1965 it has a Nato number on it 6625-99-9431532. EX (RAF) and working 100%.
Regards Kev.

9th May 2009, 2:39 pm	#441
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Just picked up AVO 8 12357-C-353 from the car boot and although it's (slightly) older than me it still works fine although missing its leads unfortunately. A 1953 original so that's 6000 a year or so I guess.

29th May 2009, 2:30 am	#442
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Sorry, I've been out of circulation for a few weeks. Thanks for the input, but you're underestimating the production rate: it was nearer to 9,000 for 1953 ! And ALL hand calibrated on TEN cardinal points ! (I'll resist the temptation to evangelise)

6th Jun 2009, 9:15 am	#443
rincewind Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Weston,NSW,Australia Posts: 1	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi,I have an 8 MK111 No 70475.1167 and an 8 MKV No 0033898 CC 8V Paul

19th Jun 2009, 2:05 pm	#444
Neil Breward Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Keyworth nr. Nottingham, UK Posts: 140	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi - I've got an ex-works (scrapped!) AVO Model 7 MkII, Serial number 46955 A 454. Cheers, Neil

21st Jun 2009, 12:34 pm	#445
GrimJosef Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,311	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi, two more for the collection (assuming you don't already have them - I've just acquired them and don't know their history): AVO 7 71042-8654 AVO 8 167823-C-364 I don't know what Mk Nos they are so I've attached some pics. I imagine there is nothing special about them, but if there is I'd be interested to know. Am I right in thinking they are 1954 and 1964 respectively ? Cheers, GJ Attached Thumbnails

21st Jun 2009, 3:19 pm	#446
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Thanks for the input. First off, they're ALL special, but let that pass (OK, I'm a freak). As you suggest, the Model 8 is from 1964, and is one of the last: it's from March, and the Mark III took over from June of that year. The Model 7 is much older, and uses an earlier numbering scheme: it's from October 1942 (before I was born, and probably in better 'nick' than I am !). Treat them with care. If you can check the calibration on the Model 7, I'd be interested to hear the result by PM.

24th Jun 2009, 10:15 pm	#447
glowinganode Octode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,522	Re: AVO Multimeter survey My Model 9 mk2 has the following s/n; 16154.1168 Calibration is spot on even after 40+ years. Only trouble I've had was with the cam contacts which someone had tried to "adjust" in situ. Totally stripped down the meter and contacts, only to find the original fault once reassembled. The cam had either worn or lost its timing, I'm surprised the cam isn't keyed to the shaft. All ok now though, have genuine 0-30KV probe to go with it too. A pleasure to use, and easy to repair. __________________ We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

25th Jun 2009, 10:43 pm	#448
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Yes, they're virtually indestructible, and the Model 9 Mk II came at the end of the "great era". Cherish her - like ships, they're all female, and have individual personalities. (I would advise you to sniff her [respectfully], but might get booted off by the Moderators !)

3rd Jul 2009, 12:57 pm	#449
Longespee Pentode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 246	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I have an 8X Panclimatic Model, steel Hammerited shroud with green fabric/plastic carrying case. Bought from an Autojumble, great condition. No 70974-C-258. A.P.12945A Regards, Sean.

13th Jul 2009, 11:42 am	#450
micheal Pentode Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 111	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi spch heres my avos dc avominor 8140-14 (jan 1934) 15130-54 (may 1934) d.c. avominor TYPE H.R. 206-108 (oct 1938) avominor TYPE E E21264-1945 universal avominor 54320-143 113542-751 model 1A 2692-157 model 1A3406-257 model 2 3195-1254 model 2 7436-1256 D.C. avometer 13range (model 2) 4292 22range (model 6) 6394 universal avometer 36range (model 5) 114-3190 (nov 19340) british rail avometer 957-1249 die cast ali type model D 20797-645 universal avomrter TYPE H.R.2026-450 model 1 model 8 Mk7 1011 M566270-1190 model 9 Mk2 1189-1165 model 12 2678-468 model 16 11019-v-271 model 47A 13488-144 model 48A 10680-143 model EA113 5866-6c31-776 regards Mike

25th Jul 2009, 2:19 am	#451
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi Here are mine EA 113 5365 Avometer 8 05470 8V/11/78 James

30th Jul 2009, 9:21 am	#452
gvinrad Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Haverhill,Suffolk. Posts: 1	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi, as a new member who discovered this forum whilst looking for avo info i thought i had better do my bit. I have a model 7 mkII serial No 76519-A-658, this one came out of a skip at the local regional college !. My other one is a model 8 mkIV serial No 33060 84/2/71, it says avo ltd dover on the label. This was purchased last weekend from a car boot sale for £8, not sure if it works yet as it has no batterys in it. Gerry.

2nd Aug 2009, 1:22 am	#453
pnickland Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Esher Posts: 1	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Have several AVOs and will dig out serials. The one on my desk may be a bit of an oddity:- Model 7 MK2 serial No:-49460-A-954 Its in a normal black case but the Front is BROWN. Brown switch selectors.Brown terminal screws .Normal white meter part no : 10945-19 May have got it originally when AVO donated bits to the Radio Club that I was involved in , when at school. Would have been in about 1959-60 ish. Anyone any ideas? Regards Nick

3rd Aug 2009, 12:45 pm	#454
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,813	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Nick, Brown phenolic mouldings, as you describe for the front panel and knobs of your Model 7, are characteristic of panclimatic Avometers. Panclimatic models are designed for use in extreme climates including tropical conditions of high temperature and humidity. The brown moulding is a modified version of phenolic resin which resists mould growth. Avometers designed for these conditions were available from the late 1940s in response to experience of using electronic equipment in the Far-east during the Second world war. Some early panclimatic Model 8 meters are a milk-chocolate colour with a reddish tinge which becomes quite marked in some lighting conditions. If you ever hear of a "red" Avometer, it is probably one of these. If your meter is a genuine panclimatic model, many of the internal components will be encapsulated in epxoy resin, also to counteract mould growth. As late as 1954, there were still post-war material shortages, so that some meters may possibly have been built up with available mouldings even if they were not to full panclimatic specification. PMM.

3rd Aug 2009, 9:32 pm	#455
jamesinnewcastl Heptode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 722	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Add to the collection the next in my collection: A Universal AVO Minor Serial number not obvious on the meter but the case has No.U40365-241 Ah, faceplate serial no. is U40365-241 so they are the same. This one belonged to a Captain in the Royal Signals if you are interested. The glass is loose so I have put a 'help' request in the forum. James Last edited by jamesinnewcastl; 3rd Aug 2009 at 9:56 pm.

9th Aug 2009, 4:19 pm	#456
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I have another AVO 9 which was an ex-RAF instrument. It has serial number 10,011 - 1170, so I assume it was manufactured in November 1970. It is in good working condition, has a burgundy tinted bakerlite facia and metal case. It is slightly larger than my military AVO 8 Mark 6 and quite a bit heavier. Neil. __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

9th Aug 2009, 7:21 pm	#457
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Aquired today at the FRARS Hamfest: Avo 47A S.No, 401361-942 And, Avo 7X panclimatic. I'm not sure about the serial number. It isnt in the usual place, on the scale near the bottom of the glass. On the case at top centre it has 6625-99-943-1531 On the side of the case is a stick-on label, AVO Ltd, Serial No. 20140 7X/11/70 (There is also a partially erased label that originally said ASWE-Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment. I assume it came from Portsdown Hill.) Would the actual AVO serial number just be on an adhesive sticker?

9th Aug 2009, 7:30 pm	#458
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Yes, the serial nhumber is the one on the sticker. The number at the top of the case is a NATO Stock Number.

9th Aug 2009, 7:48 pm	#459
AlanBeckett Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,686	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Alan, That takes me back. I used to go to ASWE regularly, and AUWE as well, although it was nothing to do with weapons. I also went to SRDE, which was the real story Alan

9th Aug 2009, 9:16 pm	#460
Kevin Hoyland Heptode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 559	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hello. My AVO is a modle 8xpanclmatic. Its number is 171247-c-565= May 1965 it has a Nato number on it 6625-99-9431532. EX (RAF) and working 100%. Regards Kev.