RPM pickup for MGL EMS

Has anyone used an inductive pickup from the ignition system on a WW Corvair to drive the rpm function on an MGL engine monitor? Or other rpm pickups that work the MGL products? I am aware of the past problems with MGL and Corvairs, but assuming that is using a hard wire attachment.

I came across this 2008 Kitplanes article by Rick Lindstrom, https://www.kitplanes.com/mgl-avionics-stratomaster-maxi-single-e1/, where he indicates he made such a pickup in an older MGL EMS.

…So I ended up making an inductive pick-up out of a coil of safety wire that wrapped around the ignition coils primary lead and produced a nice 5-volt pulse with each spark. This drove the tach input on the E1 nicely.

I would like to have an EMS in my Zenith 750 but don’t want to redo the panel. The current MGL Vega EMS-1 will fit in a 2 ¼” hole, so no surgery is needed. MGL has a LOG-1 instrument that can record the data. I currently have the ring gear tooth counter which works fine, but isn’t compatible with the EMS-1. An inductive pickup would seem to do the job.

https://www.parts4aircraft.com/mgl-avionics-vega-ems-1-engine-monitor

https://www.parts4aircraft.com/mgl-avionics-log-1-data-logger-for-b...

I eventually want to redo the panel, but for now I think this system will do what I want without spending $3-5,000 and redoing the panel to contain a larger display. I now just have round gauges, and the CHT and EGT, especially, aren’t very easy to read.

Thanks for any guidance!

Bruce

Views: 121

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Guscott 18 hours ago

Hi there, are you using a RDAC at all? i am about to go down that path with my corvair and an MGL

Permalink Reply by Bruce Atherton 16 hours ago

I ended up going with the Xtreme EFIS with the RDAC. this vendor had a good deal with the xTreme miniEFIS and RDAC at the time, even with shipping from the EU. With the tariff business, I'm not sure where that stands now.

I'm having an issue now where the CHT and EGT data takes a big jump at 10-15 minues into a flight. I suspect the RDAC may have gotten too hot - it is mounted on the engine side of the firewall. I will be sending it in to have it checked as soon as my condition inspection is completed.

Bruce

Permalink Reply by John Guscott 12 hours ago

Thanks Bruce, iIam going the same way, I have purchased the RDAC as well as the extreme efis, from NZ as I am based in Australia I may mount the RADC on the cockpit side of the firewall based on your feedback. cheers John

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
  

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.

Zenith Homecoming Tee:

Zenair Floats

Flying On Your Own Wings:
 A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz

Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2025   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service