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Old 22nd Jun 2018, 1:41 pm   #1701
Sinewave
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I personally love this thread and Pamphonicas google data base. I think that the google docs data base is an excellent way of collecting information on our Avo collection. Which reminds me that I must add more to it.
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Old 22nd Jun 2018, 1:46 pm   #1702
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

..I contributed a little to the sag by throttling back on acquisitions before the workshop became impractical. All my cutting,filing,welding, painting etc takes place in there so a compromise had to be reached.

Jeremy, if you could advise which post # contains the link to the google archive i will start inputting when i can.

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Old 22nd Jun 2018, 1:54 pm   #1703
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I need to build an Avotorium, then I'll buy more Avos and add more.

When ever the post man comes, my daughter always asks me 'is that another Avometer?'
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Old 22nd Jun 2018, 4:59 pm   #1704
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Philpott View Post
Jeremy, if you could advise which post # contains the link to the google archive i will start inputting when i can.
The moderators very kindly added the links to the very first thread (#1)

Jeremy
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Old 27th Jun 2018, 2:00 pm   #1705
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Hi Group,

Can somebody tell me all the AvoMinor Types?
And what years they were produced?
The ones I know of are:
Model 1 1934? - ?
Model 1A 1955 - ?
Model 2 1951 - ?
Model 4 ? - ?
Model E 1940 - ?
Model H or is that a Type of previous Model? ? - ?
Model HR or is that a Type of previous Model? ? - ?
Are they correct? and were there more?
I am trying to fill in the Blanks in our Serial Numbers so we can get
them published.
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Old 27th Jun 2018, 8:09 pm   #1706
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Richards radios gives an idea of the years of production.

From my own experience/collection,

Type HR (a DC avominor variant) produced from 1938 to late 1940, in limited numbers. Interestingly Wireless World Mag. shows it as cancelled in it's May 1941 edition, along with the Low resistance ohmmeter, (based on a modified DC avominor carcase) which was made until 1941. At this stage I only know of 6 of the former and 2 of the latter in existence, although it is possible that the factory's museum has a prototype example of each. (Andy..do you?)

The Model 1, Type H and Model 1A (universal) avominor are fundamentally identical to each other, just with different scale plates, and instruction plates. Hard to define production dates for these individual variants as some of the serial numbers overlapped between models, so i guess we have to say, overall, early '30's to 1957.

There was also a Model 1/15, with the 250 volt range deleted and a 1,500v range included. Very similar to a Model 1, but made in far fewer numbers. I think they finished making the 1/15 in year 1957.

Model E made from, i believe, 1940 to 1949/1950. During this timespan two separate runs of serial numbers were in operation, so you can encounter a 1945 meter with an earlier s/n than a 1944 meter.

Model 2 universal avominor made from 1950 to 1957. Fairly confident about the start date as i have meter no. 161-550, on which the scale plate, IIRC, appears partly hand painted.

Dave
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Old 27th Jun 2018, 9:21 pm   #1707
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that.
I guess nobody said AVO meter production was an easy subject!

Was the H, HR and E Sold as a distinct Avometer Model though?
Or were they Model 1 Type H, HR, E ect?

The main reason for wanting the production Dates, is that I have
28 unknown AvoMinors in the Survey List and only have the serial
Numbers to try and work out what Model they are.
I am sending out PM's to clarify other Data, but haven't for the AvoMinors
yet.

Yes I spotted the Two Low Resistance Meters, on the Survey,
Page 70 Post 1396.
Don't you just Love Data.

Not sure the Way forward here, maybe best to leave them simply as AvoMinor, or AvoMinor?
Same problem I have with MultiMinors!
Maybe they can be corrected later on with luck. I've done pretty much
as much as I can.
Hence the request here.


Ian
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Old 27th Jun 2018, 9:30 pm   #1708
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Just to add a bit of Fun to the Thread, the Top Six Serial Number
contributions are:
1st Place 107
2nd Place 79
3rd Place 64
4th Place 39
5th Place 36
6th Place 33

I don't want to broadcast Members ID's without their permission, but if you
want to know if your in the Top Six just ask or PM me for confirmation.


Ian
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Old 1st Jul 2018, 8:04 pm   #1709
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Superscope,

The Universal Avominor was introduced during 1938 and featured in an advertisement in The Wireless World, June 16th 1938

Tracing dates of military variants can probably best be done by serial numbers for which the best record is probably this survey.

The Multiminor range was first produced in 1956 when it is likely that all commercial Avominor manufacture ceased. Although the Multiminor was used by the armed services, there is unlikely to be any way of knowing if further Avominors were made for Ministry contracts after 1956 unless there was some way of accessing contract documents. (I believe that Standard Vanguard Mk II estate cars were made for the Air Ministry for some time after commercial production ended and I would not think this sort of arrangements was unique to motor vehicles).

In addition to the Avominor variants you have listed there was a moisture meter based on the Universal Minor made for Protimeter, and possibly there were other commercial specials.

PMM
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Old 5th Jul 2018, 9:25 pm   #1710
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Quote:
Originally Posted by Superscope View Post
Was the H, HR and E Sold as a distinct Avometer Model though?
Or were they Model 1 Type H, HR, E ect?
I think I've got an HR model somewhere. I'm sure I bought one.
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Old 10th Jul 2018, 11:49 am   #1711
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Quote:
Originally Posted by pmmunro View Post
The Universal Avominor was introduced during 1938 and featured in an advertisement in The Wireless World, June 16th 1938
Actually Peter, the Universal Avominor was in production and being sold in August 1937, and at a reasonable £15 10s

Andy
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Old 10th Jul 2018, 5:07 pm   #1712
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Remarkable... in 1937 a skilled worker would have been on a wage of less than £3 per week. Based on wages alone, £15 is equivalent to over £1,000 in today's money.

But Andy I'm wondering if you're confusing the Universal Avominor with the Universal Avometer, the model 7, which was released in around 1936 at about 15 Guineas? The reason I ask is because I have an original old but undated Universal AvoMinor cardboard box, on which the price of £5 is printed. I doubt that anyone would have paid £15 for an AvoMinor when its full-sized cousin was available at the same price.
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Old 13th Jul 2018, 9:28 am   #1713
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Phil, that was a typo, my error! It should have been £5 10s. That makes more sense.

Andy
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Old 13th Jul 2018, 9:30 am   #1714
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Yes, that's more like it, £5/10/- in old money!
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Old 13th Jul 2018, 10:18 am   #1715
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

An Austin 7 (with a roof!) could be had new for £120 so it's still something you wouldn't lend out!
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Old 22nd Jul 2018, 9:05 pm   #1716
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On Friday I was given a mark 8 Avo No. 340338 and 5 66 so May 1966 came complete with leads.I haven't tested it at all, been very busy.Ted
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Old 23rd Jul 2018, 7:59 am   #1717
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Hi Ted,

I guess that makes it a Mk III.
But for the purposes of accurate recording of the Data,
can you confirm it is definitely a Mk III?

Hopefully the Mk Number is recorded on the Back Data Plate
or on the Front Mk ID molding if it has one.

Thanks

Ian
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Old 23rd Jul 2018, 1:28 pm   #1718
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Certainly should be an 8/III. 40338-566 fits into the chronology. Likely the painter has added the 3 prefix to denote Mark III.
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Old 23rd Jul 2018, 7:57 pm   #1719
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Just been into the workshop and it is a Model 8 MK 111. Will get round to testing the meter during the winter time, to busy in the summer. Some one has been inside before as a screw is missing and a very slight piece missing on the top right hand corner, not complaining, just an observation. Ted
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Old 1st Aug 2018, 10:40 pm   #1720
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I've just added another one to the collection, another Avo 8 Mark 7. Now, the difference with this one, which is why I wanted it, is that it's a much later mark 7, identified by the modern Avo badge and the Cat 3 markings.

But, I don't recognise the serial number format, so am having difficulty dating this one. It's nothing like the other mark 7s I have in format.

I came in a lovely modern vinyl case which appears to be velvet lined, with the more modern AVO badge on it. Only down side of the case is the buckle is broken.
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