AVO Multimeter survey - Page 42 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

AC/HL · 5th Apr 2012, 9:23 pm

Whilst finally getting near the end of reorganising my workshop, I have unearthed the box containing the AVOs.

An 8 MK3 I've had for years, but now has an o/c meter - 8xxxx (no letter) 768
An 8 with low amps readings and very low voltage readings - 3xxxx C 1254
An 8 which is accurate, but has terminal damage - 1xxxx C 453

The 1953 one has the bakelite cover with the prod storage, but by 1954 it has the aluminium one. Also the 54 one has terminals without sockets and needs the leads with the spade ends.

brunel · 14th Apr 2012, 11:41 am

UNIVERSAL AVOMETER

MODEL 8X Mk. III (PANCLIMATIC)

MODEL 8 No. 56368 . 367

Andrewausfa · 14th Apr 2012, 2:21 pm

Another AVO turned up a few days ago. AVO 8 Mk V I think from 1979, no labels just the instruction plate on the rear dated 6/79, in leather case.

Andrew

phasedout · 14th Apr 2012, 3:42 pm

Hi another, Avo Universal Mk7---No 1830-A-148, i presume this is a 1948 model.....regards...Alan.

pmmunro · 14th Apr 2012, 6:30 pm

Alan,

Your latest Avometer is from January 1948; this is around the time when the design changed from horseshoe to block magnet.

If you know which you have would you please let us know?

PMM.

nutteronthebus · 14th Apr 2012, 9:13 pm

Hi, just dug out my old AVO from the Garage AVO 8 MKIII Sn 5707-1164.

I tried to clean it with foam cleaner and it stated to remove the paint from the rear panel

luckily only a small patch.

Paul Adams · 14th Apr 2012, 9:35 pm

Hi Dave, (nutteronthebus)

Nice leather case you have there, I wonder where you had that from

Anyway another serial: 1487-B-548 (Model 40)

Paul.

Phil G4SPZ · 14th Apr 2012, 10:03 pm

I need a couple more leather cases, but they seem to command prices as high or higher than the meters themselves!

Paul Adams · 15th Apr 2012, 11:35 am

Phil,
I have sent you a PM.

Paul.

M0XNA Neil · 21st Apr 2012, 10:02 am

I have just acquired my first AVO 9SX. Serial number 8673-15-765. Can anyone provide a copy of the handbook/manual please?

Neil

Refugee · 21st Apr 2012, 12:46 pm

One of the two i have has a black case that is made of something like the stuff that suit cases are made of not real leather.
The markings on it say:-

Test set n.o1 MK4
and shows the nato part number:-
6625-99-728-5965

M0XNA Neil · 21st Apr 2012, 1:53 pm

I have some of those Eveready cases with my other AVOs. The TS1 Mk4 seems to be the AVO 8 MK6 as I have a NATO stamped one with the same case you have. My AVO 9SX came with a tan leather case.

Neil.

stitch1 · 21st Apr 2012, 2:16 pm

Another 2 for the list, picked up today for £8

AVO Model 7 MKII - 42178-A-653

AVO Model 8 MKV - 5270-049

Testgear John · 25th Apr 2012, 4:37 pm

Avo 8 Mk2, 3808 C 763D. Now restored with a model 8 Mk4 movement and scale.

John

Phil G4SPZ · 25th Apr 2012, 8:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitch1

AVO Model 7 MKII - 42178-A-653

It looks more like a Mark 1 to me, with screw-down terminals. Mark IIs usually have "Mk II" in the button below the "Model 7" legend, too, but I may be mistaken. Sometimes cases get swopped by previous owners, so the instruction plate doesn't match the meter, and I have some Model 8s in this state.

But you got an original-type battery with it, you lucky chap! Quite a bargain for the pair, though, so well done.

stitch1 · 25th Apr 2012, 8:28 pm

No you are right Phil, also on the MKII the markings on the panel are engraved and white.

Yes the original battery but it was flat

It was just a guy selling junk at a market, he wanted £5 for the 7 and I couldn't walk away without the other so offered £8 for the two which he took.

phasedout · 25th Apr 2012, 9:01 pm

Hi pmmunro,

Your latest Avometer is from January 1948; this is around the time when the design changed from horseshoe to block magnet.

If you know which you have would you please let us know?

It has the horseshoe shape magnet.

Regards,
Alan.

pmmunro · 25th Apr 2012, 10:57 pm

Alan,

Thanks for the magnet in formation; it all adds to the information the survey provides.

PMM

M0XNA Neil · 28th Apr 2012, 3:55 pm

My AVO 9SX (Serial number 8673-15-765) doesn't have a scale number (1 to 12), so I assume it was hand calibrated to the movement. Does anyone know when they started using 'best match' scales or are all the AVO9s calibrated to their movement?

Neil

Nymrod121 · 1st May 2012, 6:35 pm

AVO 8 Mk III here, but cannot find a serial number :-(

The scale plate says " MODEL 8. No. [nothing visible] " so, unless someone can suggest somewhere else for me to look?

Other threads on this forum very encouraging re. alternative to 15V battery pack.

5th Apr 2012, 9:23 pm	#821
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,573	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Whilst finally getting near the end of reorganising my workshop, I have unearthed the box containing the AVOs. An 8 MK3 I've had for years, but now has an o/c meter - 8xxxx (no letter) 768 An 8 with low amps readings and very low voltage readings - 3xxxx C 1254 An 8 which is accurate, but has terminal damage - 1xxxx C 453 The 1953 one has the bakelite cover with the prod storage, but by 1954 it has the aluminium one. Also the 54 one has terminals without sockets and needs the leads with the spade ends. __________________ Bill, BVWS member

14th Apr 2012, 11:41 am	#822
brunel Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: LEEDS.......North of the River Aire. Posts: 860	Re: AVO Multimeter survey UNIVERSAL AVOMETER MODEL 8X Mk. III (PANCLIMATIC) MODEL 8 No. 56368 . 367

14th Apr 2012, 2:21 pm	#823
Andrewausfa Octode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,173	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Another AVO turned up a few days ago. AVO 8 Mk V I think from 1979, no labels just the instruction plate on the rear dated 6/79, in leather case. Andrew __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life. Or they should do. BVWS Member

14th Apr 2012, 3:42 pm	#824
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi another, Avo Universal Mk7---No 1830-A-148, i presume this is a 1948 model.....regards...Alan.

14th Apr 2012, 6:30 pm	#825
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,734	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Alan, Your latest Avometer is from January 1948; this is around the time when the design changed from horseshoe to block magnet. If you know which you have would you please let us know? PMM.

14th Apr 2012, 9:13 pm	#826
nutteronthebus Hexode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 481	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi, just dug out my old AVO from the Garage AVO 8 MKIII Sn 5707-1164. I tried to clean it with foam cleaner and it stated to remove the paint from the rear panel luckily only a small patch. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Any tool can be used as a hammer but a screwdriver makes the best chisel

14th Apr 2012, 9:35 pm	#827
Paul Adams Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 253	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi Dave, (nutteronthebus) Nice leather case you have there, I wonder where you had that from Anyway another serial: 1487-B-548 (Model 40) Paul.

14th Apr 2012, 10:03 pm	#828
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,575	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I need a couple more leather cases, but they seem to command prices as high or higher than the meters themselves! __________________ Phil “The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum” - Henry Havelock Ellis

15th Apr 2012, 11:35 am	#829
Paul Adams Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 253	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Phil, I have sent you a PM. Paul.

21st Apr 2012, 10:02 am	#830
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I have just acquired my first AVO 9SX. Serial number 8673-15-765. Can anyone provide a copy of the handbook/manual please? Neil __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

21st Apr 2012, 12:46 pm	#831
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,526	Re: AVO Multimeter survey One of the two i have has a black case that is made of something like the stuff that suit cases are made of not real leather. The markings on it say:- Test set n.o1 MK4 and shows the nato part number:- 6625-99-728-5965

21st Apr 2012, 1:53 pm	#832
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I have some of those Eveready cases with my other AVOs. The TS1 Mk4 seems to be the AVO 8 MK6 as I have a NATO stamped one with the same case you have. My AVO 9SX came with a tan leather case. Neil. __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

21st Apr 2012, 2:16 pm	#833
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 800	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Another 2 for the list, picked up today for £8 AVO Model 7 MKII - 42178-A-653 AVO Model 8 MKV - 5270-049 Attached Thumbnails

25th Apr 2012, 4:37 pm	#834
Testgear John Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Larne, Northern Ireland, UK. Posts: 64	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Avo 8 Mk2, 3808 C 763D. Now restored with a model 8 Mk4 movement and scale. John Attached Thumbnails

25th Apr 2012, 8:28 pm	#836
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 800	Re: AVO Multimeter survey No you are right Phil, also on the MKII the markings on the panel are engraved and white. Yes the original battery but it was flat It was just a guy selling junk at a market, he wanted £5 for the 7 and I couldn't walk away without the other so offered £8 for the two which he took. Last edited by stitch1; 25th Apr 2012 at 8:34 pm. Reason: More info

25th Apr 2012, 9:01 pm	#837
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hi pmmunro, Your latest Avometer is from January 1948; this is around the time when the design changed from horseshoe to block magnet. If you know which you have would you please let us know? It has the horseshoe shape magnet. Regards, Alan.

25th Apr 2012, 10:57 pm	#838
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,734	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Alan, Thanks for the magnet in formation; it all adds to the information the survey provides. PMM

28th Apr 2012, 3:55 pm	#839
M0XNA Neil Tetrode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Towcester, Northamptonshire, UK. Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey My AVO 9SX (Serial number 8673-15-765) doesn't have a scale number (1 to 12), so I assume it was hand calibrated to the movement. Does anyone know when they started using 'best match' scales or are all the AVO9s calibrated to their movement? Neil __________________ An engineer makes for a penny what a scientist makes for a pound!

1st May 2012, 6:35 pm	#840
Nymrod121 No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,997	Re: AVO Multimeter survey AVO 8 Mk III here, but cannot find a serial number :-( The scale plate says " MODEL 8. No. [nothing visible] " so, unless someone can suggest somewhere else for me to look? Other threads on this forum very encouraging re. alternative to 15V battery pack. Last edited by Nymrod121; 1st May 2012 at 7:01 pm.