AVO Multimeter survey

[SPCh]

It's a B(ravo). Thanks

[cookie983564]

I am in Australia and this AVO has been handed down through the family. I have an AVO Minor Serial No. U.47782-642 and I assume from reading other postings that this means manufacture was June 1942? I hope this helps with your survey.

[Phil Storr]

G'day folks, I have three AVO meters DownUnder
1. Model D No D19374-445 dated 1945 ( on meter scale )
Also has a Ref No of 10A/10610.
2. AVO 8 Mk IV s/n 72165 ( as best I can read ) followed by 84/7/72
3. AVO Model B No 23515-c-554 ( on meter scale )
This one has donated it meter movement to the model 8 above.
The 8 is in great condition but the B is very rough.
The 8 had an open circuit meter movement.

[pmmunro]

Phil,

The serial number for what you describe as a Model 'B' would correspond to a Model 8 Mark I from 1954. This will have black straight knurled knobs rather than black and red capped sockets for the terminals.

There never was a Model 'B' on the home market as far as I can trace. What is often described as a Model 'D' is in fact an Avometer to Air Ministry specification for a Type 'D' multimeter and other manufacturers also made multimeters to this specification. There was also an AM Type 'E', essentially a modified Universal Minor with DC ranges only.

(If anyone knows of AM specifictaions for types A, B and C, I would be interested to see them).

You say that it "had" an open circuit movement. Does this mean you have been able to repair it?

PMM.

[Dave UXB]

Having trawled through the dust under my bench, I've found my AVO 8 Mk 3: Serial Number 21456-765.

I was given it twenty odd years ago by a retiring Wireless engineer, but I only use it when I work on old power supplies these days. When I last checked it for calibration, it was within spec.

Hope this helps.

[Ipsleylodger]

I have a Model 8 SNo 164190-C-1063 which was given to me some 15 years ago. It is the best for seeing voltage swings when aligning radios etc. I use in conjunction with DVMs for supply volts etc.

[harrym1byt]

I have just had this one delivered, an ebay purchase....

AVO 8 Mk5 serial is 06517 8V/11/78

Serial number was on a black sticky label affixed to the left side of the case (upper edge of the back). A simlar and matching sticky label is also stuck in the battery compartment.

[Top Anode]

I purchased a Mod 8 from a hi-fi shop in Essex. Years later, I saw one advertised in the local paper, miles away from the shop, but in the same town. When the door opened, it was the guy's son. I paid 14 quid for it, like new.

07404 8V/8/78

[KevStaley]

Just Thought I would join the survey.
I have an AVO 9SX Pan-Climatic No1) bought it about 8 years ago and it working like a charm.
serial : 5507-1S-163.

Kevin

[SPCh]

Season's Greetings (of whatever persuasion) to all contributors and observers.

I'll be out of circulation for a couple of weks, but look forward to picking up the reins (cudgels ?) again in the New Year.

Happy metering !

SPCh

[Hans_SA7AUY]

I have these:

Heavy Duty Avo Meter No. 2451-866
Originally owned by and used at SRA (Svenska Radio Aktiebolaget) Stockholm, Sweden.
SRA was the Swedish reseller for AVO at the time.

Model 8X (Panclimatic) No. 165236-C-1163 (The cabinet is dark brown color)
Originally own by and used at the Swedish Airforce Wing F4
Swedish Military Identity No. M3618-102010

AVO 8 Mk II No. (there is no number, only the letters No.)

AVO 8 Mk IV No. 55434 84/9/71

AVO 21 No. 401-V-1172

All except the AVO 21 works. The moving coil is burnt in the AVO 21.

/ Hans SA7AUY

[William78]

My Avos are as follows:

Avo 8 Mk 5 Ser No: 06455 8V/12/77 with leather case.
£10 from a recent car boot sale. Working Ok

Avo 8 Mk 3 Ser No: 11649.H.564D with leather case.
Free from a friend. Moving coil open circuit

Test set No1 Ser No: 11,890-7-71 with green vinyl case
£30 from Bolton radio rally 15 years ago. Working Ok

Multi Minor Mk5 Ser NO: 250918 with black case.
Modular resistors have date codes suggesting 1980
Working Ok. My first real multimeter. Acquired in the 80s

Multi Minor Mk5 Ser NO: 224489 with black case.
Modular resistors have date codes suggesting 1979
Reads slightly low on all ranges.

Avo 12D Ser No: 307958 (Post office on front panel)
Modular resistor has date code suggesting 1981
£2 from J.Birkett at Bolton radio rally in the 90s. Works great.

William

[jheffer]

Model 7 Mk. II No. 73424-a-1057

[daveskye]

Hi I sent an email before I registered so you will probably get this information twice.
I have a very old Avo Universal Minor in not very good condition. It was given to me in the late 50s. I don't know where to find the serial number - perhaps you can help.
It looks like it is in its original condition but the back plate is pretty well unreadable.
Inside, there is a small coil of wire attached, I believe, to one of the meter terminals. The wire is broken and I'm not sure what is its function nor to where it attaches. Any help on these two matters would be greatly appreciated - a circuit diagram would really be a bonus!!
Thank you,
Dave Skye

[Station X]

Helo Dave and welcome to the forums.

A picture or pictures of your meter would help if you can post one. Once it's been identified please start a new thread on how to repair it.

[pmmunro]

The serial number is below the lowest scale on the scaleplate, to the right hand side. You will probably have to tip the meter so you can see past the lower rim of the window.

There are two version of the Universal Minor, so a photograph which shows the terminal markings will save you the trouble of listing the ranges.

PMM.

[Chipmunk]

Just obtained yet another Avometer, this time Model 7, serial number 17035-A-850, dating it to 1950.

It's in good condition with original leads, leather case and prods, the meter also has ZD00021 marked above the scale on the bakelite, is this an Avo code or some separate organization's code?

Also, the 2 lower (+) contacts in the battery compartment are missing (I believe they're for the 4.5v batteries) but this isn't an issue as I have plenty of BA screws and can connect a 9v to it

[radioben]

Mine's the Test Set No 1, serial number 8145 570.

[etubetronic]

Hi,

A newbie here got a Model 8 Mk.V with serial number 0546189.

Thanks!

[Andy265]

I have an AVO Model 7 serial No. 7126-269 which I believe means it was produced in December 1936.
That certainly makes sense, as it belonged to my grandfather who ran a radio shop prior to WW2.
It is in a brown canvas(?) bag with a shoulder strap and has lost its probes/leads at some point. It does have the bimetalic temperature compensation mechanism mentioned previously as being fitted to early Model 7's.
I've not yet fitted batteries to it and tried the Ohms ranges, but connecting a 9v PP3 across it on a 10v range gives a completely accurate reading when compared to a modern DVM. Not bad for 72 years old!

When time permits I intend to give it a clean up and maybe a little light restoration.

Andy