3rd Nov 2010, 8:20 pm | #601 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 559
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Hello.
just had to get it Avo mk7 not 2 bad condition. Part no 10945-19 Serial no 56698-A-555. This makes 4 mk8 and 2 mk7. Regards Kev. |
7th Nov 2010, 11:48 pm | #602 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Aldershot
Posts: 1
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Hi - I have a pre war Avo Minor No. 16175-54 as marked on the scale card. The 5-54 is definitely hand written, possibly some or all of the rest of the number.
Cheers Simon |
8th Nov 2010, 6:58 pm | #603 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Posts: 345
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Thanks for your input, Houdini (every little bit is welcome), and welcome to the Forum.
We're an odd lot, but friendly, sympathetic, and (together) a very knowledgeable bunch. It's very rarely that a question can't be answered - and not uncommon for multuple divergent answers ! - but ther truth's in there, somewhere. |
9th Nov 2010, 1:20 am | #604 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 116
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Just got a very nice Post Office No12/1, made by AVO;
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21st Nov 2010, 9:56 pm | #605 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 1,733
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
I have two AVO's
Model 7 MKII S/No 10578.A.1169.M. Model 40 I can't seem to find a serial number on this one. David |
22nd Nov 2010, 7:02 pm | #606 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jersey, Channel Islands.
Posts: 3
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Another one for your list from a proud new owner. I remember using these meters at school and always fancied one to play with so made a purchase off Ebay. A very good condition Test Set Mk1 which from the serial No I assume is equivalent to an AVO 8 Mk III.
Serial No - 3582-1297 |
28th Nov 2010, 7:32 pm | #607 |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 168
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
I have recently been given AVO Model8 MkIII s/n 79168-468 to add to my collection.
I have discovered an interesting article in volume 5 issue 3 of the BVWS magazine from December 1980 penned by R P Hawes of AVO ltd. It details the history and variations over the years from 1923.
__________________
Richard |
29th Nov 2010, 1:47 pm | #608 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Dundee, UK.
Posts: 1,813
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Richard,
The R P Hawes history can only be taken as a general guide. It has a considerable number of inaccuracies of date and fact. It appears to have been written from memory and it has been suggested that it had to meet a deadline which not allow for more accurate research. PMM. |
29th Nov 2010, 8:09 pm | #609 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jersey, Channel Islands.
Posts: 3
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Oops, just spotted a typo in my last message.
That serial no should read 3582-1267 |
29th Nov 2010, 10:51 pm | #610 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Posts: 345
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Thanks, Keith; it was puzzling me !
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29th Nov 2010, 11:19 pm | #611 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Posts: 345
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
A follow-up to Peter Munro's latest comment.
Be wary of any AVO history write-up, however authoritative the source. I've heard from many experts who claim to be writing, or are about to write, the definitive tome, but the information is simply not out there. Plenty of isolated "facts", many doubtful, some blatantly apocryphal, some just plain incorrect. Anything which adds to the database is welcome, but to silt the record up with speculation, half-truths and errors helps nobody: errors easily get "set in concrete" and cause endless problems. If it hasn't been verified or confirmed from other sources, don't believe it, and certainly don't repeat it. Keith's "oops, sorry, I got the number wrong" is a classic example. An understandable, forgiveable, genuine mistake - we all make them - but if not corrected likely to play havoc with the statistics, and confuse the history. For the record, throughout this Survey, I've queried (by PM) several inputs which seemed questionable. In most cases it was an "oops, yes, sorry; I inadvertently reversed those two digits". Thanks to all who've provided inputs; please keep them coming. If I don't believe them, I'll query them (discreetly) ! Cheers, SPCh. |
1st Dec 2010, 10:53 pm | #612 |
Diode
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Merseyside.
Posts: 1
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Hello,
I have a universal model 40, serial number 18901-847, that’s been in the family for about 50 years, it originally belonged to my uncle. Regards Peter |
5th Dec 2010, 11:58 am | #613 |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Exeter, Devon, UK.
Posts: 1,554
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Precision Avometer
I came upon this specification and manual for the Precision Avometer recently, and thought it might answer howieleem's enquiry in Jan 2010. Perhaps the Avo experts already know all this. So if nothing else, the first page does date the move from Vauxhall Bridge Road to Dover. Bill
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24th Dec 2010, 9:40 pm | #614 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 483
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
I have just acquired a Universal Avometer to add to the collection Serial No. 115-4458
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25th Dec 2010, 10:14 am | #615 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Dundee, UK.
Posts: 1,813
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Wave Solder,
That looks like the serial number for a 36-range Universal meter from November 1935. Can you confirm this please? PMM. |
25th Dec 2010, 11:54 am | #616 |
Diode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chadwell Heath, Romford
Posts: 4
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Avometer date, cost and battery
I have the Avometer Model 7 serial number:-
7344-14747 that my Father-in-Law used to use. He purchased it in the early 1940s when he was a line manager in Cowbridge House making radar equipment. I take that the serial number means it was made in March 1944? How much would it have cost in those days? I believe that it was a joint purchase with his wife's help. The battery is a Siemens Brothers, Size T; it is giving a reading of 1.22 volts. What battery can I replace it with? |
25th Dec 2010, 2:45 pm | #617 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Dundee, UK.
Posts: 1,813
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
The serial number shows that your Model 7 was made in March 1944.
It wasn't only the price which was significant in 1944; the vast majority of the production of the time would be for military use and anyone else would have had to show that their need was essential to the war effort - and probably needed a licence to prove it. This may be the reason that all the advertisements which I have for the Model 7 from the war-time years have no prices, although signal generators from Advance and BSR do. Potential customers are invited to "Write for fully descriptive literature and current prices". At the time of its introduction in 1936, the Model 7 cost 15 guineas, by 1938 this had risen to 16 guineas. By late 1948, the price was £19 10s. In all cases, this would be between 3 and 6 weeks pay for any engineer likely to use the meter, possibly between £1000 and £2000 of today's purchasing power. There should be two batteries; the 1.5 volt cell for the lower resistance range (and bias on the alternating voltage ranges) and two 4.5 volt batteries for the higher ranges. (note that the Model 7 is the only "traditional" Avometer that needs a cell or battery for ranges other than resistance). A 'D' cell is suitable for the low resistance ranges and Avo sold an SRBP frame with phosphor bronze arc spring contacts to adapt the size - details are show in a previous thread. The 4.5 volt batteries are still available as 3LR12/1289/GP312 eg Duracell MN1203, Energizer 1289 or Varta 4012 PMM. |
25th Dec 2010, 11:55 pm | #618 |
Hexode
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK.
Posts: 483
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
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26th Dec 2010, 11:42 am | #619 | |
Diode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chadwell Heath, Romford
Posts: 4
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
Quote:
Found out some more information from my Mother-in-Law. She paid for it from her savings; his wages, £5 per week, were being spent on running the household which now included my 6 months old wife to be. Price £19.19s. This was a discounted price which he saw in a journal he regularly took. She does not think he had any sort of licence but he did work on top secret war work i.e. radar as did she; that is where they met. As a side note he was upset that he was not allowed to join up into the Air Force because of his occupation. |
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29th Dec 2010, 12:53 pm | #620 |
Diode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chadwell Heath, Romford
Posts: 4
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Re: AVO Multimeter survey
My mother-in-law would like the Avometer to go to a "good home" Any ideas?
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