Multimeter recommendations

I found a 10A 600V 'multimeter fuse' online for £2,50.

Neil

Despite the ‘no longer available’ message … my local Aldi has these in stock at £9.99

**LINK**

https://www.aldi.co.uk/ferrex-digital-multimeter/p/801179390763400

Has any forum member tried one ?

MichaelG.

Rather sadly, the Aldi one is probably going to be easier to use and far more accurate than this...

… and it has a ruggedised case !

The Avo does have more ‘class’ though.

MichaelG.

The information on that Aldi one is fascinating. It's "corded" (so you plug it in?) but comes with battery, yet is "not activ (sic) battery compatible". I guess if you knew that "Activ" batteries are the ones that go in Ferrex power tools it would make more sense. Just as well it's going out of stock perhaps...

Ah, but you don't get an Earth terminal on the Aldi meter. Some thing very special about an Avo, that special smell when you open the box and then see the quality workman ship or should I say Ladies work. Should any one be really interested in AVOs and all the they made and their repairs. I suggest you go to "Vintage Radio" where there are some experts and collectors. Not me i have only got eight. John

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Strictly speaking that would be … ACTIV (sic) …

Interesting that they quote a Cable Length of 95.5cm

… do they mean the test leads; and if so, is that ‘each’ or ‘total’ ?

The mystery deepens

MichaelG.

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Edit: __ I repeat “Has any forum member tried one ?”

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 24/09/2021 13:10:17

I agree with you John, there is something special about an AVO. It's just a nice thing to pick up and hold. Mine has been through the wars a bit but it works well enough for me.

Where it really scores is looking at things like motor start and running currents. The initial start current can be quite high but of such short duration that it gets missed by a digital meter. The large scale of the AVO shows it up nicely, not neccessarily in absolute values but you can pick up trends quite easily.

With regard to fuses in digital meters my ancient Fluke 77 has a 15amp fuse specified for the 10amp range. These really do seem to be like hens teeth so I am quite happy with a 10 amp. I do worry however that a significant number of these fuses for sale on the internet are fake, It's just so easy to make something that looks exactly the same on the outside.

Peter

I had one of these at one time but although a later model it never felt like a proper Mk.7/8 AVO

My dad has two... and a lovely 70s Eagle (I have it's twin).

Sadly, if I need a multimeter I still reach for the Machine Mart digital...

Under a pile of wood I found a dusty but otherwise immaculate RS Safebloc today. The one with a fuse and two blades to fully isolate Live and Neutral when open, allowing you to safely and temporarily connect a mains lead via three sprung clips, which then goes live when it is closed. Very useful bit of vintage kit!

Neil

There ought to be a Megger somewhere as well, unless it went with the shop in the 1980s.

Neil

As crude digital oscilloscopes are now cheap as chips it isn't surprising that this kind of instrument is emerging:

**LINK**

**LINK**

...provided they have had the sense to integrate the functions properly.

Panel says "CAT III" and "300V max" which is impossible. Probably not safe for use on mains and counterfiet CE marking.

Robert G8RPI.

Thanks, Robert

… I decided agin it anyway; when I looked at a video showing how to install the battery !

MichaelG.

Have 3 AVO all different 1 Avo Multimeter over 60 years old and still works fine 2 Avo model 8 possibly bought early seventies 3 X British Rail did not work when givin , But i repaired same somtime later wormks perfect ,Also a Sangamo Voltage and Ammeter 1970 vintage stilwork fine . Have had 3 different model digital meters all now gone us . Definatley prefer a scale model instrument, my thoughts you only get what you pay for the 3 digital only cost a fraction of what i paid for my No8.

Regards to all

Bee.M

Avo meters might be loved by the purists, but they are a bit inconvenient to use, when you are 30ft up in a cherry picker basket, trying to sort out a microwave link.

O if Cherry pickers had existed in the mid 1960.What 30 ft up on ladder trying to find where one of 3phase supply on a overhead supply had gone? Trying to find a possible Line Tap problem. only had a AVO.

Regards

Bee.M

RS safe blocks, very useful when carrying out repairs, but H&S thought they could be possibly dangerous so out they went in Colleges and Schools. I got mine at a Mobile Rally several years ago. Another useful bit of repair kit is a 13 amp socket outlet box with a length of flex and a 13 amp plug attached. ( A modified very short extension lead in effect) The socket outlet NEUTRAL is brought out externally, via very well insulated loop so that you can place a clamp type meter around the neutral, and measure the current without any disconnecting. (I have a UNI - T UT 210E , these clamp on type will also measure DC loads) The load is via 13 amp plug as normal, which is inserted into the adapted box. John.

The safe blocks original name was keynector, I believe they were the manufacturers ? Noel.

Mine says RENDAR INSTRUMENTS ENGLAND on it

the Trade Mark is a sea horse surrounded by Instruments for land sea and air

Roy