AVO Multimeter survey

[Superscope]

Ref Post # 3067

Hi Julian,

If an Avo serial number is given in this Thread, it will be logged regardless
of its Type.
All manor of Avo Serial numbers, many of which (including Digital)
haven't yet appeared in the published Avo Multi-meter Survey are actually being logged.

They will eventually (if I live long enough) appear in the Published Survey, but
generally have to wait until I have enough information on the said meter to
warrant their inclusion.

Stephen's original bias was most definitely on the Analogue meters, but many
years have passed such that the early Digital Avo's are now of interest and
deserve recording.

Ian

[Superscope]

Ref Post # 3063

If the High Resistance Model is truly a 1947 Meter, then yes, it is
currently the earliest HRM in the Database.

It's serial number doesn't appear to fit in with the current known
Serial number sequence for the HRM.

This would indicate that there was a different and earlier Serial number
Range and that the 1946 launch date suggested in the BVWS publication
may actually be correct.

Previously, the Serial Numbers we had, indicated 1948 as a likely launch
date.

It just goes to show you can never sure of anything with Avo meters!



Ian

[stickfly]

Originally Posted by steveq1

Hi,

I also have 2 Mk1 multiminors. No serial numbers, but there are numbers moulded into the interior bakelite (see attachment). What is of interest is the number 40628/1 on BOTH the meter-housing mouldings. This is the same as the serial number given for the only mk1 multiminor listed in edition 4 of the survey (PS are mk1's rare, or people just haven't bothered listed them?)
Anyway, it would seem likely that the number is NOT a s/n, but rather a moulding identification.


Hope this has been helpful.

Steve

Firstly, my apologies if I'm covering old ground here, I've only just joined and have been reading like mad & just noticed this.
I have a multiminor Mk5 and the numbers marked inside the bakelite housing are much the same as Steve's Mk1 Multiminors. Pt No 50102-A/2 IMP No4 in mine.
I can also find a number on the bottom of the "Scale" under the words "Multiminor Mk 5". I had to use a magnifying glass but the number 98606 is impressed into the metal scale. Is this a serial number.
I have to say that I really like this meter although it is the only AVO I have used since I worked for the electrical retailer Comet in the mid 1980's when I was given a large size Mk 8. Loved that AVO.
Regards ..... Gary.

[The Philpott]

I have no specific experience of Multiminors but.... 98606 could be a part number..

Dave

[micheal]

There are no serial numbers for MK5 or MK4 multiminors

Mike

[stickfly]

Thanks gents,
I'll continue working my way through this thread but 155 pages ..... that's a lot.
Regards ..... Gary

[stickfly]

Many thanks gents.
Regards ..... Gary

[Superscope]

Gary,

That number on your Multiminor is indeed the Serial Number.

Multiminors of any flavor, to my knowledge, never had a Date Code.

I'm not brave enough to say all Mk5's have serial numbers, but all
the ones I've seen have.

However, the Mk 4's I've seen, don't appear to have Serial Numbers.

I've not seen a Mk1, 2 or 3 in person, so can't comment on them.

Multiminors have been a continued problem on the survey because
they cannot be dated accurately.

Avo did made quite a lot of them, although we don't know even when
they were launched, but I heard somewhere it might have been 1956.
No idea if that is accurate or not.
They were certainly discontinued around the time the 70 Series Meters
came out.


Ian

[micheal]

Another DC Avominor 10700-34 (March 1934)

Mike

[micheal]

Ian you are absolutely right the MK5 mulitminor does have a serial number stamped on the scale plate ( no excuse for bad information sorry).What i should have said is no date stamp.

Mike

[WME_bill]

Avo Multiminor dates.
For Ian (superscope). I have a Multiminor Mk 1 which I bought as a schoolboy second-hand in 1955 for £5. So it must have been a couple of years old then. No date or serial on the case, but made in Dover.
I replaced the movement (60ua, giving with universal shunt 100ua, 100mv,1000ohm) in Feb 1975, cost£8, which came marked Mark5, with no date or serial number. It was a drop in replacement, with no calibration or adjustment required.

It was about then that I replaced the 1/8th" sockets for wander plugs with 4mm sockets for banana plugs as used universally in the Avo 8 et al.

Do we know when Avo started using 4mm sockets?

Subsequently in 1981 and 2021 the printed shunts for the resistance ranges on the switch have failed and been bypassed by discrete resistors.

My Universal Avominor new about 1951, made in Vauxhall Bridge Road, has the serial U HD? 203950, no date. I rarely use it as the range selection is by 1/8" wander plugs, and I have to keep special leads for it which never seem to be to hand.
wme_bill

[stickfly]

Thanks for confirming the serial number Superscope & Micheal.
Does that put the number into the list or do I have to do anything else.
Regards ..... Gary

[stickfly]

Good evening all.
Model 8 MkII Serial : 445 C 1262
Model 7 MkII Serial : 91779 A 963
Multiminor Serial : 98606

Regards ..... Gary

[Superscope]

Ref Post # 3091

Thanks WME_bill,

That's very useful information regarding the replacement Movement showing as Mk 5.

That would mean there could be quite a few Earlier Multiminors out there masquerading
as Mk 5's.
The Multiminors just got a bit more difficult !

At least you do have one with a reasonably accurate known Age.

As regards "Made in Dover", I assume that is printed on a replaced Scaleplate?
Avo didn't move to Dover until the early 60's.



Ian

[Superscope]

Ref Post # 3091 The question I forgot to answer.



Regarding the introduction of 4mm Sockets.


Evidence would suggest for the Full Size Avometers at least, the 4mm Sockets
were introduced around 1952.

Early Mk II Model 7's & 40's were available with either the 4mm Socket, or the older
Bakelite Domed Terminals.

One assumes not very many buyers opted for the old Domed Terminals in favor to
the then New 4mm ones, hence Domed Terminal Mk II's are not very common.

Ian

[stickfly]

Good evening everyone.
Here's one I bought recently advertised as an Admiralty 47A

Serial Number : 126766-C-861

As I understand things, the number on the box would date to August 1945 but the number on the meter would date to August 1961.
My question is : Does everything look correct about the meter & box ? Is it just that the box has been re-used for a later meter.
Any advice regarding the meter & box would be welcomed.
Regards ..... Gary.

[Superscope]

Gary,

It looks like you have the Avo addiction we all warn about!

Regarding your Meter, as you have already surmised, you have
an Admiralty Pattern 47A Box with a later Military Model 8 Mk II.
The 47A is basically a Model 40 without the 9 Volt Battery Bay.

This unfortunately is quite common.
Historically, the Meters break or are simply not wanted, but the
Box is useful for later models, and is kept.

I often see Ebay sellers incorrectly advertising Avo Meters even
though the Model Numbers are clearly labeled on the Meters.
Just shear laziness on the part of some Ebay Sellers.

The Military 8 Mk II is still a nice Meter (assuming it works), but
if it's Historic authenticity you want, you are out of luck.

If it's an issue, and the Seller advertised it as a Model 47A, I would
have thought you have grounds to return it as "not as Described".

Alternatively, wait for a Model 47A to turn up without it's box and do
a swap of your own.
47A's often turn up without their boxes.
Ok, the numbers won't match but, still nice for the collection.

The Box at least has the Brass plaque, which is nice as they are
more often then not, missing.

Ian

[pmmunro]

Gary,

You have a bit of a mixture there. The wooden box was originally for an Admiralty Pattern 47A meter from August 1945. As that was after VE Day, it may or may not have been issued when new; it's possible that some were delivered to naval stores and we're just kept there or found their way to the surplus market. Air ministry Avometers (Type D) were widely sold on the surplus market up to the 1960s. Naval types do not seem to have been so plentiful but must somehow have "escaped" because there are quite a few about.

The meter is a1961 Model 8 with a NATO stock number, which is a little uncommon. At this date, NATO issue Avometers were often Model 9SX or Test Set No. 1, which is very similar to the 9SX. Your meter has a navy calibration sticker, which suggests both meter and box came from the same source despite their very different ages. It could even be that some ship or establishment still had a 47A during the 1960s and, when it became faulty, the Model 8 was supplied as a replacement.

The red lead in the case is for a Multiminor.

PMM

[stickfly]

Many thanks gents.
Not long ago I had a discussion with a good mate and AVO's cropped up.
We had both used them in the 1980's to 1990's and had great memories of them so I thought I must get one.
The one I used was brand new in 1985 so I think it was a Model 8 Mk 6, and I loved that meter.
I can't quite understand how I now own 4 full size AVO's and a Multiminor Mk5
WHAT HAPPENED ?
Regards ..... Gary

[stickfly]

pmmunro
Thanks for that. I have just checked my Multiminor and the leads are missing so it looks like I have packed them in the Admiralty box. That only goes to show how good you blokes are on this forum!

Superscope (AVO Addiction)
You're right, I only ever wanted 1 AVO to bring back memories and maybe even use in my own small ways. Now I have 5 if you include the Multiminor.
I'm not really bothered about the authenticity,it would be great if the whole package was original but if the box is an authentic Admiralty box & the meter is an authentic Admiralty meter then I'm happy.
The fact that the meter was built in August 1961 is pretty good as I was built in August 1961 as well.
Also, the meter was last calibrated in April 1982 at Chatham Dockyard when I was still a member of the Royal Navy.
When does the addiction end ?
Regards ..... Gary.