That’s AVO as in Amps, Volts, Ohms……
I’ve had this old AVO multimeter sat in the shed for about 30 years. I doubt it still works and it was last calibrated in 1987. I think I acquired it when my old engineering training school closed and they sold off the test equipment.
After getting some inspiration at a craft fair I bought a few parts off eBay and have just finished making this.
There’s a few extra holes but I’ve managed to thread the cable through the workings without have to make any adjustments, so in theory it could be brought back into use if needed.
Anyway, after having to keep this in the shed for years, Mrs Iain will now allow it in the house……
I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
@iain
By ‘eck, you ‘ad me goin’ there, lad! I had visions of being carted off to perform some kind of menial servitude in the wilds of Yorkshire. Livin’ in a cardboard box in t’middle o’ t’ road! I could’ve had nightmares for months about that.
By ‘eck, you ‘ad me goin’ there, lad! I had visions of being carted off to perform some kind of menial servitude in the wilds of Yorkshire. Livin’ in a cardboard box in t’middle o’ t’ road! I could’ve had nightmares for months about that.

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Steve
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Linguist; retired teacher; pilgrim; apprentice travel writer
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. (Max Ehrmann)
Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
Sorry to disappoint. You’ll have to skip having coal for tea for a while longer yet.Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 8:33 pm @iain
By ‘eck, you ‘ad me goin’ there, lad! I had visions of being carted off to perform some kind of menial servitude in the wilds of Yorkshire. Livin’ in a cardboard box in t’middle o’ t’ road! I could’ve had nightmares for months about that.![]()
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Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
That’s really impressive!




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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
A bit of a light bulb moment one might say, Iain.

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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
Love that kind of stuff. Congrats for hanging on to it all this time. 

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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
Nice piece of bakelite you've got there!
Will you be expected to create a frilly shade to cover the bulb/lamp? AND, have you created the light to have variable brightness and does the power to the light go through the meter?
Will you be expected to create a frilly shade to cover the bulb/lamp? AND, have you created the light to have variable brightness and does the power to the light go through the meter?
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C60 MKI, MKII, MKIII: "some",
C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
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C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
C4, C40, C8, C9, C3, C5, C20 & 23FLE
Some other brands
Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
Thanks
This is intended to live in the man cave, permission for the main part of the house is still a long way off.tikkathree wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:22 am Will you be expected to create a frilly shade to cover the bulb/lamp?

However it’s not that clear in the photo but the bulb is one of those decorative old fashioned filament style bulbs so a shade would be counter productive.
That would be a nice touch but I’m afraid the light output is fixed between on and off. The power cable is carefully routed through the internals but is not connected to it in anyway.tikkathree wrote: ↑Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:22 am AND, have you created the light to have variable brightness and does the power to the light go through the meter?
Iain’s Law: Any discussion on the Christopher Ward forum, irrespective of the thread title or subject matter, will eventually lead to someone mentioning the Bel Canto if the thread continues for long enough.
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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
This reminds me of my neighbor when I was a kid. He was retired but had worked for the city repairing parking meters. He built one into a lamp that worked with meter. You put in a quarter and got light for an hour
I like this. Excellent use of some old kit.

I like this. Excellent use of some old kit.
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Re: I’ve finally found a use for that AVO…..
I like that kind of repurposing, especially of industrial or technical equipment. Fun way to give the meter a new life.
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