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Old 1st Mar 2007, 7:28 am   #181
Beaver2
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Hi, my Avo is a Mark 40 Part No. 10945, No. 6162_8-1051 I use it mainly for low voltage and current measuring. Doesn't work on ohms at the moment due to requiring batteries.
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Old 5th Mar 2007, 10:57 am   #182
wave solder
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I have just come across another meter This one is a (Universal Avo) Air ministry tester type D Ref No. 10s/10610. The scale has Part RAF 27 written on it.It also has Acweeco Ltd printed on it? Serial No. is No D. xxxx6-943. Just tested it and all ranges are still accurate.
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Old 6th Mar 2007, 7:19 pm   #183
RobinBirch
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

This is what I've got:

1) No 8 Mk 2 Ser No 659C1262D
2) No 7X Panclimatic Ser No 68486-A-1056
3) No 8 Ser No 0033707 (New plastic variety)
4) Think this is a No 8 but I'm not sure it's a test set multirange No 1 high sensitivity Nato part no 6625-99-105-7050 Ser No 7143-370

Do these numbers and descriptions make sense ?

I also have a Multimeter Electronic CT471A which works but if anyone has a voltage reference for it that they could part with then I'd be very gratefull as the oiginal died years ago and I put together a reference system for it that is no where as good as the real thing. If someone has a good replacement reference circuit then that would do just as well.

With the Mk 7 I have a large flat green plastic cloth box containing a set of high current/high voltage transofrmers and shunts.

Cheers

Robin
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Old 9th Mar 2007, 9:41 pm   #184
howard
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Hello,

I acquired another AVO 8 mk III at Harpenden no 74695-268. It cost me £2, complete with batteries and leads and it calibrates perfectly.

Howard
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Old 10th Mar 2007, 12:21 am   #185
maitiustandun
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

hi howard , u should send the serial nos to spch , as hees the guy who keeps a comp record of the avos, the last three digits on ur avo stand for the second month [feb ], and the year 1968, fondest regards matt.
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Old 10th Mar 2007, 4:57 pm   #186
SPCh
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Thanks to all for the latest inputs. I've been out of circulation for a week or so, and it will be a few days before I'm back in the swim. All your inputs will be noted and any replies/comments posted soon.

Keep them coming,

Cheers

SPCh
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Old 11th Mar 2007, 7:30 pm   #187
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I am a bit confused as to what the serial number of my Model 8 Mk6 is as it doesn't seem to "fit" with other serial numbers I have seen here.

Two paper labels on the side. 1187 M923790 and below that is MOD8/6 and then a separate paper label with 0388 on it. No other idents either inside or out.

My second AVO is a Model 8 Mk5 and is 038415 CA 8V. Apparently no date but I have had it from new.

Both in mint condition as they are in leather cases.

Ian
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Old 11th Mar 2007, 9:26 pm   #188
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Just thought I should be helpful and add my 2 meters as I found this site while searching for info on the AVO 8 Mk5...

1) Avo model 40, serial 7742-242, (I believe that makes it 1942), labelled at top of scale "A. D. Patt 48A". It gets used almost daily for quick go-nogo continuity checks, basic voltage checks etc (I have to admit to using a DMM if I need high impedence)

and 2), the one I was searching for info on: Avo 8, MK5, serial 82509-8V/9/75, which I believe plonks it in 1975. Got that one today, it's in very good condition inside, (thank heaven for airtightness), but the outside is not so hot, it has been stored in a damp location, so one of the range switch stickers has fallen off, and the leather case has some kind of fur growing inside it. Silica Gel to the rescue I think
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Old 11th Mar 2007, 10:24 pm   #189
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Chipmunk,

If you're interested in the background to your first meter, see a previous forum thread under "AVO MODEL 40 admiralty pattern 48a".

The Model 40 front panel was used for several meters at the time. It probably just wasn't thought important, or practical, to have different moulds at the time. Who knew what the next night, let alone the next few months or years would bring - and the main Acweeco (Avo) works was at Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London.

Do you still have the detached switch decal for your Model 8 Mark V? These were supplied as self-adhesive labels; I may have one to suit if your meter cleans up well and you would like to replace the missing decal.

A common failure of the Model 8, Marks V, VI and 7 is the elastomer boot around the Cut-out and "Reverse Moving Coil" switches. These are fairly easy to replace, and being a part still in use can be bought as new parts, as can the terminal caps.

PMM.
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Old 22nd Mar 2007, 12:35 pm   #190
RobinBirch
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

To add to the ones that I have recently posted I have a Mk 7 ser no 28069A1051.

Cheers

Robin
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Old 29th Mar 2007, 10:30 pm   #191
Chipmunk
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

pmmunro, first of all sorry for the long delay in responding, I've been pretty busy (which is good but slows me down). Yes, I do have half of the detached decal, but it's in a pretty lousy state The meter's cleaned up okay, and fortunately is nice and dry inside. There's some damage to the rubber boot on the reversing switch as you suggested.

I am looking to sell the meter as my model 40 (the other thread was fascinating) does what I need.

Actually it does it better than a more modern meter due to the low impedance, it pushes enough current round the telephones I mainly use it for to make very audible pops if things are working
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Old 12th Apr 2007, 8:23 pm   #192
Simon Gittins
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Details of my three:

DC Avometer (13 range) SN 3910.
DC Avominor SN 60449-240.
8 MKII SN 161271-C-663.
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Old 12th May 2007, 12:45 pm   #193
john493
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Details of my AVOmeter model 40, bought off Buckingham market today for
£8 !

Serial no 04767 40/11/78

Does that mean it was made in '78 ?

John
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Old 12th May 2007, 7:16 pm   #194
SPCh
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

John,

This one's got me stumped.

The serial number format does not coincide with ANY I've encountered for the Model 40, and the date (quite apart from the sequence number) looks completely wrong. I have no record of any Model 40 later than 1967, by which time the serial numbers were in an xxxx-B-dddd format (where dddd was the date code).

Are you sure it's a Model 40, and where does this number appear - on the scale plate (lower right) or on an attached label somewhere ?

Are the knobs "flat mushroom" shaped; what style are the terminals, are they black knurled nuts or coloured sockets; are there "P.F." sockets at the top corners; and what type of batteries does it use ?

This requires detective work of the highest order !
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Old 12th May 2007, 8:49 pm   #195
john493
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Hi SPCH
Where should I be looking for the serial number - the one quoted is marked both on the side of the case and on the dial. Definitely a model 40. Pics attached with a bit of luck. Can't see any other numbers, where should I be looking ?
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Old 12th May 2007, 10:28 pm   #196
SPCh
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Okay, it's definitely a Model 40 Mk II (so, post 1956),
but the movement has an unpainted "Alnico block" magnet - which suggests that it was either from a Mk I (1946-1956) or from a brief gap (pre-1964) when the red painted magnets were replaced by blue.

The serial number - on the scale plate - suggests much later than I would have expected posible, although date codes were sometimes rewritten if a meter was dramatically overhauled, and the format is still strange (to me).

I think this is may be one of those cases which will only be resoved if you allow PMM to ingest the smell of the works - his nose is better tuned than mine ! !

More to the point, how accurate is it ? Does it do the job ? Do you TRUST it ?
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Old 12th May 2007, 11:15 pm   #197
jim_beacon
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

here's a few more for you:

Mod 40, 3015-B-849
Test set No1, 9981 (doesn't appear to be any other code on the scale plate).
DA116, 532658
8 Mk5, 2869 (can't find any date code)

There is a Mod 7 and a couple of multiminors here, I'll report the numbers when I find them.

Jim.
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Old 14th May 2007, 3:58 pm   #198
SPCh
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

John,

Once again PMMunro has come to the rescue. Apparently the Model 40 WAS produced and advertised this late, with the serial number format corresponding with that used on the Models 7 & 8 of the same era.

Yours is from November 1978.

This is what makes the survey so useful; I'd assumed that the Model 40 was long extinct by then - the latest one in my records was July 1967 !

Happy measuring.
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Old 18th May 2007, 7:17 am   #199
Ghostuser
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

Avo Model 8 Mk II 80384-C-958

Bought by me in the 1950s and for most of my life was my only piece of test equipment. Still going strong and a constant companion for vintage radio restoration.
Nigel
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Old 7th Jun 2007, 8:49 pm   #200
brianc
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Default Re: AVO Multimeter survey

I've just been given another couple of AVOs. Serial nos are:

Model 9 Mk IV? (There is a number 9 IV bottom right of dial) 11868 9/4/970

Model 7 86615-A-361. This number on the dial seems to have been snowpaked over!

Cheers
Brian
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