AVO valve testers.

[woodchips]

Following on post about transistor analyser, I have lost my storage space so can no longer keep many items.

Here I have three Avo CT160 testers, one Avo Mk3 and one Avo Mk4 testers.

Should be able to find the Plessey socket for the 160's, I should also be able to supply an old Farnell etc DC meter as backup for the 30uA meter but can't at the moment find more than 3 of them.

Note, no testing done, this was a retirement project that won't now happen. All testers have an original meter except one 160 where the meter has been replaced, looks like a Simpson meter to me. Never powered any of them up.

The 160 testers look new, Mk3 and 4 somewhat shabbier.

Price £400 each for the 160's, £350 for the Mk3 and 4.

I assume you will collect?

I also have two Taylor 45A testers, steel case with 3 blank additional base adapters, wood case with 5 mounted additional base adapters. Neither meter good, steel case one has lost the end of the pointer, wood case one the legend ink has rippled and touching the pointer so immovable. Did look inside these and in good condition, fabric covered wire so might be useless. Wood case one had two replacement WW resistors and a burn mark on the inner case. All wafer switches looked good, not broken. Steel case £75, wood case £125.

Also the remains of two Mullard HSVT. These I wanted to get working but got nowhere, missing the EL37's, also couldn't get the mains check card to work, voltage tapping plug missing, also suspect wiring. Lots of cards, never sorted them. Both for £150.

Like the transistor tester, a bunch of gambles, will go down the auction if not sold and collected quickly.

Good luck!

[Syrinx1]

Hi,

I know it's unlikely, but would you be willing to sell the Mullard HSVT cards separately?
I have a HSVT that I've refurbished, but none of the original cards.
I'd collect the testers too, but they're heavy and large, and I just don't have the space.

Thanks,

Jonathan.

[woodchips]

Or just buy both the HSVTs and bin the rest?

I have never understood the complaints about how expensive valve testers are. Take the valve connection panel on the HSVT, it would take many hours and quite a comprehensive workshop to make one, here for £75. And the base panel and switches on a 160 are almost impossible to make at home, just buy the tester and bin the rest.

[chiilyuk]

I would take another 160 as spares, but too far for me to travel these days

[Uncle Bulgaria]

This is sorely tempting. I have an HSVT (from the late lamented Frank McVey) with cards, but it's not working yet. I'm a sucker for anything with knobs and dials on, and valve testers really fit that bill (especially the one-armed bandit Mullard). For the modern hobbyist, which are the most useful? I know the AVOs have a lot of clever people writing about replacing their meters, and have fashionable eBay prices.

[Courtney Louise]

I don't suppose there's a valve book there for one of the 160's?

[Station X]

How about this?

[Ed_Dinning]

Hi, have the HSVT's gone yet?
May be some interest from a friend of mine

Cheers, Ed

[Courtney Louise]

Originally Posted by Station X

How about this?

That's great!!! Thank you

[Radio Wrangler]

I've always fancied a MK IV, if it's still available.
Have to arrange FCS or I might be down in Yorkshire in October or November, so I could overshoot somewhat into Lincs. Tempted to look in at Birkett's for old times sake.

David

[Uncle Bulgaria]

Originally Posted by Courtney Louise

I don't suppose there's a valve book there for one of the 160's?

There are some data books and manuals on Frank's Electron Tube Pages.

The CT160 also has some manuals on the Internet Archive.

[knobtwiddler]

Sent you a DM, Woodchips

[woodchips]

All still here.

I had to collect a van and trailer full, yet more to come, so the house is full up so I need to shift stuff quickly. Mostly furniture etc just a little electronics. There are about 30 mechanical calculators to come asap, Madas etc, need some space.

[David Simpson]

A sad couple of threads regarding the Tr. Analyser, & the CT160's & other valve testers. Another wake-up call for folk of advancing years.
However, heffing bargain prices for the AVO valve testers, which, if taken by younger valve collecting & testing enthusiasts, bodes well for the VR fraternity. Not boding so well if acquired by internet wheeler-dealers out to make a fast buck.
The AVO Tr. Analyser, if its in good nick, is a lovely piece of test equipment. Especially for those, like myself, like to study a transistor's parameters & draw up a graph or two. However, £1200 is way way too high a price, I must say, even if accompanied by a big box of old "pulls". Especially if one can buy an Atlas DAC55 brand new for under a hundred quid.
The Mullard HSVT's are a deserving restoration project. Big heavy items, but they have a strong following in the VR fraternity. Can be easily modified to read Ia externally & thus determine Gm.
Commiserations to Woodchips for circumstances requiring dispersal of his collection. I've certainly downsized in recent times. Mind you, the T/Eq. I sent to RWB a few months back earned rather poor prices, except for the CT436.
CT160's, CT446's, & CT436's were my bread & butter jobs back in my RAF days.

Regards, David

[woodchips]

Possibly one 160 and the Mk3 and Mk4 sold.