AVO Multimeter survey - Page 18 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

pmmunro · 24th Aug 2008, 8:32 pm

Trevor (Hilitevr),

You wanted to see what a Model 10 looked like:

The other attachments are the specification.

PMM.

pmmunro · 24th Aug 2008, 8:45 pm

John, (Tresyla)

We seem to have forgotten to answer your question - sorry about that.

Your first Model 7 s/n 7146-33044 is from January 1946 - quite possibly the tail end of a wartime government contract or maybe destined for a lucky civilian user whose turn had come up.

The second, 5411-A-1262.F was made in December 1962.

PMM.

Station X · 24th Aug 2008, 9:43 pm

I've moved the posts relating to Guvnah's AVO restoration to a new thread here:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=197149

russell_w_b · 26th Aug 2008, 7:22 pm

Are you interested in details of the 'cheapo' AVO 1000 or 1001 series? We have a few kicking around at work that I can let you have details of, if you wish.

They're not at all comparible with a 'proper' Avometer, having white numerals on a rectangular black scale-plate with a red pointer, but they're made-in-England AVOs all the same, in all their plastic-encased glory. I think we originally purchased them to skull around on our tool trolleys for basic fault-finding, rather than precision measurement.

SPCh · 26th Aug 2008, 8:47 pm

Yes, still interested.
My cut-off point for the survey is "non-analogue, not Made in England".
(My cut-off point for enthusiasm is rather earlier ....)

russell_w_b · 1st Sep 2008, 4:28 pm

Another for my collection: an AVO 7, complete with nice leather carrying case, unmarked!

S/N: 44763-A-1053

geoff999 · 1st Sep 2008, 6:08 pm

I have and still use regularly a DC Avominor which I bought in 1947 for £4. Unfortunately the leads have long since gone and I have improvised replacements. No model number or serial number as far as I can see. It originally took a single-celled Ever Ready battery made specially for meter use, but I now use an AA "bandaged" to fit.

SPCh · 1st Sep 2008, 6:57 pm

There should be a serial number at the bottom centre of the scale plate (underneath "milliamps & volts"). You might need to squint diagonally downwards to read it.

pmmunro · 1st Sep 2008, 7:59 pm

This relates to a posting by "Avondale " some time ago, (items 295 & 297) on page 15 of this survey. Sorry for the delay in supplying the information.

The attachment is a file of notes which I wrote for my records on this small range of Avometers outlining the basic features of these forerunners of the Model 8.

Please respect the copyright in these notes - they should not be quoted without acknowledgment nor used, wholly or in part, elsewhere without express permission. Please note too that I state that some information is speculative and needs to be confirmed.

If this note is beyond the scope of the Avometer survey, would an administrator please move it to a more appropriate thread?

PMM.

davidw · 2nd Sep 2008, 8:42 am

Eventually got round to checking mine,all Model 7 :-18365-A-1051.....7147.34213 (no letter)... 26920-A-751 (with war dept arrow, but sadly badly damaged)...both those with the A are also marked ZD 00021 at the top of the front panel, so presumably worked for the same organisation originally.

geoff999 · 2nd Sep 2008, 3:35 pm

Thank you SPCh: I've now found the serial number on my DC Avominor which is

79768 - 446

I've had it sixty years without noticing it!

SPCh · 2nd Sep 2008, 5:18 pm

Geoff,

It was calibrated (and hence released for sale) in April 1946, which makes it just over 62 years old. If you had it from new you have its FULL history .... I'd be interested to hear if you've ever had it repaired/serviced/recalibrated, and how accurate it still is.

russell_w_b · 2nd Sep 2008, 5:58 pm

Another ex-BBC instrument for your records:

8 Mk. II Ser. No: 147568-C-1062 Used today in anger!

geoff999 · 2nd Sep 2008, 7:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPCh

It was calibrated (and hence released for sale) in April 1946, which makes it just over 62 years old. If you had it from new you have its FULL history .... I'd be interested to hear if you've ever had it repaired/serviced/recalibrated, and how accurate it still is.

Thanks for that interesting information. It has never been repaired, serviced or recalibrated. It still shows 15 (i.e 1.50) volts exactly on a fresh Duracell alkaline AA cell so I reckon it is still pretty accurate.

I have used it for very amateur radio and auto electrical and at one time connected it to a full wave meter rectifier mounted in an old tobacco tin to make an output meter.

It is a bit sad-looking especially without its original box or leads but still keeps going - as does its owner!

briary9 · 3rd Sep 2008, 9:45 pm

Hello SPCH

I have an Avo 8 MK5 serial number 08805 8v/3/74, given to me by one of my old customers widow. I was a traveller for a electrical and radio wholesaler.

Regards briary9

Station X · 7th Sep 2008, 11:55 am

I've moved briary9's request for service information to this thread:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=199264

and edited his post here.

Phil Wood · 14th Sep 2008, 11:57 am

I picked this little number up at a car boot sale, can someone identify it for me please? It has a hammered grey metal case and serial number 316 . 1266 on the scale.
Calibration sticker says last cal. 24-9-90 41dist WKsp REME.
It's in great condition with case and leads.
I haven't opened it up, cleaned it, or tested it yet just in case it's a valuable one.
Any information will be appreciated thanks.

Phil.

SPCh · 14th Sep 2008, 7:26 pm

Yes it's an AVO Model TS1, the NATO version of the Model 8 Mk II, but with a
1-3-10 range sequence (instead of 1-2.5-10) and lacking the INSulation and Low
Resistance ranges. A very nice instrument.

SPCh · 14th Sep 2008, 7:27 pm

PS: Don't open it up unless you really need to.

Station X · 16th Sep 2008, 9:54 am

I've moved the discussion About the TS1 to a new thread here:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=32337

24th Aug 2008, 8:45 pm	#342
pmmunro Octode Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dundee, UK. Posts: 1,812	Re: AVO Multimeter survey John, (Tresyla) We seem to have forgotten to answer your question - sorry about that. Your first Model 7 s/n 7146-33044 is from January 1946 - quite possibly the tail end of a wartime government contract or maybe destined for a lucky civilian user whose turn had come up. The second, 5411-A-1262.F was made in December 1962. PMM.

24th Aug 2008, 9:43 pm	#343
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I've moved the posts relating to Guvnah's AVO restoration to a new thread here:- https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=197149 __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

26th Aug 2008, 7:22 pm	#344
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Are you interested in details of the 'cheapo' AVO 1000 or 1001 series? We have a few kicking around at work that I can let you have details of, if you wish. They're not at all comparible with a 'proper' Avometer, having white numerals on a rectangular black scale-plate with a red pointer, but they're made-in-England AVOs all the same, in all their plastic-encased glory. I think we originally purchased them to skull around on our tool trolleys for basic fault-finding, rather than precision measurement. __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.

26th Aug 2008, 8:47 pm	#345
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Yes, still interested. My cut-off point for the survey is "non-analogue, not Made in England". (My cut-off point for enthusiasm is rather earlier ....)

1st Sep 2008, 4:28 pm	#346
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Another for my collection: an AVO 7, complete with nice leather carrying case, unmarked! S/N: 44763-A-1053 __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.

1st Sep 2008, 6:08 pm	#347
geoff999 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Croydon Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I have and still use regularly a DC Avominor which I bought in 1947 for £4. Unfortunately the leads have long since gone and I have improvised replacements. No model number or serial number as far as I can see. It originally took a single-celled Ever Ready battery made specially for meter use, but I now use an AA "bandaged" to fit.

1st Sep 2008, 6:57 pm	#348
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey There should be a serial number at the bottom centre of the scale plate (underneath "milliamps & volts"). You might need to squint diagonally downwards to read it.

2nd Sep 2008, 8:42 am	#350
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Eventually got round to checking mine,all Model 7 :-18365-A-1051.....7147.34213 (no letter)... 26920-A-751 (with war dept arrow, but sadly badly damaged)...both those with the A are also marked ZD 00021 at the top of the front panel, so presumably worked for the same organisation originally. __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

2nd Sep 2008, 3:35 pm	#351
geoff999 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Croydon Posts: 92	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Thank you SPCh: I've now found the serial number on my DC Avominor which is 79768 - 446 I've had it sixty years without noticing it!

2nd Sep 2008, 5:18 pm	#352
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Geoff, It was calibrated (and hence released for sale) in April 1946, which makes it just over 62 years old. If you had it from new you have its FULL history .... I'd be interested to hear if you've ever had it repaired/serviced/recalibrated, and how accurate it still is.

2nd Sep 2008, 5:58 pm	#353
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Another ex-BBC instrument for your records: 8 Mk. II Ser. No: 147568-C-1062 Used today in anger! __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.

3rd Sep 2008, 9:45 pm	#355
briary9 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Taunton Somerset Posts: 1	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Hello SPCH I have an Avo 8 MK5 serial number 08805 8v/3/74, given to me by one of my old customers widow. I was a traveller for a electrical and radio wholesaler. Regards briary9

7th Sep 2008, 11:55 am	#356
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I've moved briary9's request for service information to this thread:- https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=199264 and edited his post here. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

14th Sep 2008, 11:57 am	#357
Phil Wood Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wirral, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 6	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I picked this little number up at a car boot sale, can someone identify it for me please? It has a hammered grey metal case and serial number 316 . 1266 on the scale. Calibration sticker says last cal. 24-9-90 41dist WKsp REME. It's in great condition with case and leads. I haven't opened it up, cleaned it, or tested it yet just in case it's a valuable one. Any information will be appreciated thanks. Phil. Attached Thumbnails

14th Sep 2008, 7:26 pm	#358
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey Yes it's an AVO Model TS1, the NATO version of the Model 8 Mk II, but with a 1-3-10 range sequence (instead of 1-2.5-10) and lacking the INSulation and Low Resistance ranges. A very nice instrument.

14th Sep 2008, 7:27 pm	#359
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: AVO Multimeter survey PS: Don't open it up unless you really need to.

16th Sep 2008, 9:54 am	#360
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,286	Re: AVO Multimeter survey I've moved the discussion About the TS1 to a new thread here:- https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=32337 __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.