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Old 24th Jan 2018, 2:25 am   #1
hans
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Default AVO-odour

I picked up an AVOmeter (7 mkII) today. It has been stored in a basement (and been exposed to humidity) as far as I could smell. The leather on the bottom has perished, so I took all off. Even without leather the meter still has a "basement" smell. Is it some way remove get rid of the smell?
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 9:44 am   #2
M0FYA Andy
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Will the smell not just fade away once the meter is kept in better conditions?
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 10:05 am   #3
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Hans, try putting the AVOmeter into a sealed container along with a bag of 'boil-in-the-bag' rice. The rice will absorb any residual moisture from the meter (it might help to split the case from the front panel). Leave it for a few days and see if the smell has reduced.

I recommend that you don't cook/eat the rice afterwards

Best wishes

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Old 24th Jan 2018, 10:13 am   #4
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Leather is organic, it rots and supports mould growth. Wipe the exposed area with a bicarbonate of soda solution to kill it.
Dry with rice as Guy suggests or silica gel sachets if you can find any.
Real Naptha moth balls kill all other smells, I like the smell, some don't.
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 12:53 pm   #5
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Default Re: AVO-odour

The other trick is put in a bag with cat litter in it to absorb damp.
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 1:26 pm   #6
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Make sure the cat litter is new or you will have an even worse smell, Sorry, could not resist.
Best cat litter is Fullers earth, cheap stuff is a clay mix.
The disposable dehumidifier pots are good, in a poly bag.
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 2:38 pm   #7
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boater Sam View Post
"Make sure the cat litter is new or you will have an even worse smell, Sorry, could not resist."
<chuckle!>
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Old 24th Jan 2018, 6:50 pm   #8
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Wherever the surface of the bakelite is imperfect a small amount of moisture could have got in, thus >80% of the smell should go quite quickly with the method/s above but the remainder might take a bit longer. Let us know if it works.
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Old 6th Feb 2018, 1:58 am   #9
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Default Re: AVO-odour

I thought the leather caused much of the smell. I have had wat was left of the case hanging outside. Now it doesn't smell.

The AVO itself still smells a bit even after dried. I washed it with detergent, but that didn't do much difference.

What really smells is the test leads, but they can be replaced, even if I would like to keep them. Maybe I should leave them in the sun for some UV exposeure?
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Old 6th Feb 2018, 1:40 pm   #10
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Default Re: AVO-odour

The older rubber leads are of course prone to deterioration (the red ones tend to fail first) and they also have the disadvantage that they release a little sulphur while rotting, so if kept close with the avometer can cause the small switch contacts to blacken and fail to conduct.

I can't see a short burst of UV doing any harm to the leads (you have sunshine..? Where did i leave my passport..!?)
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 2:58 am   #11
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I'll have to wait a couple of months before the sun gets strong enough to anything useful...
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 9:02 am   #12
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Default Re: AVO-odour

I use a mild bleach called "Milton", mostly used for cleaning baby's feeding bottles & other utensils.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 8:27 pm   #13
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Default Re: AVO-odour

Milton is just a dilute (and purer than usual) solution of sodium hypochlorite, i.e. household bleach.
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