A lot of work done in the past 2 weeks, first the good news: I finally found a fix to my RPM reading issue with my MGL E1, my dad came up with this one, thanks dad! Here's how it's done: rather than trying to read the peaks off the one of the outputs of the AC signal from the alternator, you connect BOTH ac outputs to an optocoupler (using a resistor and a diode). You use power from your main circuit on the other side of the optocoupler to feed the transistor. This generates a nice clean perfectly square signal! You can see the idea in the diagram below. I tested it using a little breadboard and the readings are now perfect and very stable. All I need to do now is make a more permanent solution on a proper PCB. The other thing that is now done is the aileron and flap positioning. This took a bit of time but I'm happy with how they are now. Now for the bad news: Cracks have developed in the passenger side of my canopy. Not sure how but they look like crazing caused by venting of incompatible substances like petrol or something. I really don't know how/why this would have happened. It was heartbreaking when I first saw these that's for sure, but I'm over it now. I already sourced a new canopy (another Aussie builder will sell me his spare), but for now I'm not going to install that just yet. I will start flying with this one for a while until I find the courage to do the new one. Sonex recommends using some acrylic cement on these. I might do that and just put a sticker over them for now.
