29-07-2020, 10:01 AM
Right enough Mike, the meters in AVO testers are a particular weak point. As I've said many times - 'they don't like it up em' - being whanged to FSD repeatedly. Therefore the recent trend to fitting the "Schottky Diode" mod certainly helps to relieve that. Back in the 60's, with RAF CT160's & their TT sibling - the CT446, phooked 37.5uA meters were a common fault. Some years back, a VRR&R chum gave me an op-amp which enabled me to use an AVO MK1's 444uA fsd meter in a CT160. Worked a treat. I also used a 37.5uA meter, supplied from Benchmark in Ludlow, in a CT446 TT, and that fitted ok & worked well. Back then & still now, I'm appalled at the cost of a genuine AVO VT's replacement meter - £200. Likewise, some mercenary internet wheeler-dealers were asking £200 for a CT160's RV2 Vg Pot.
Looking at other V/R Forum sites, there is a current spate of phooked AVO MK3's, MK4's, & CT160's, and the occasional VCM 163. Hence, despite having an affinity for AVO T/Eq., I'm encouraging folk to build homebrew Testers & Curve Tracers, particularly if they can re-purpose redundant but working other items of T/Eq. into their projects.
Regards, Dave
Looking at other V/R Forum sites, there is a current spate of phooked AVO MK3's, MK4's, & CT160's, and the occasional VCM 163. Hence, despite having an affinity for AVO T/Eq., I'm encouraging folk to build homebrew Testers & Curve Tracers, particularly if they can re-purpose redundant but working other items of T/Eq. into their projects.
Regards, Dave
