MegaPoints Controllers
System2 Serv8 — Getting Started
8-channel networked servo controller for model railways
8-channel networked servo controller for model railways
The annotated photo highlights every connection you need. Key areas:
Connect a 12 V DC regulated supply (min 1.5 A per board) to the power terminals.
Twisted-pair cable to H and L terminals. Fit termination jumpers on first and last board.
Hold HOTSPOT button, join the board's hotspot, navigate to 4.3.2.1/admin, enter Wi-Fi credentials.
Click Share WiFi Credentials — every board on the CAN bus receives them automatically.
Plug a servo into any S1–S8 header (signal towards centre). Press a button and watch it move.
Every Serv8 hosts a full web interface. Open any browser, enter the board's IP address, and configure all 8 channels — speed, range, type, V-Ports — with instant visual feedback.
Range sliders and numeric inputs are linked in real time. Changes take effect immediately so you can fine-tune servo positions while watching the turnout.
Set up from any browser — PC, tablet, or phone. No apps needed.
The “Air” in System2 refers to wireless configuration over Wi-Fi. Using any device with a browser, you can set up and adjust every parameter without buttons, flashing lights, or crawling under baseboards.
Configuration uses standard web protocols, so your browser handles everything. Wi-Fi plays no part in normal running unless you choose to use MQTT — once set up, the CAN bus handles all day-to-day operation.
Day-to-day operation runs over two-wire CAN bus. Wi-Fi is optional once configured.
System2 uses a wired CAN network for all real-time operation, delivering high speed, low latency, and rock-solid reliability. Once configuration is complete, you can shut the Wi-Fi down entirely, leaving your system secure and robust.
You can wire boards in a daisy chain or use droppers from a main bus, just like DCC. The CAN specification handles collision detection automatically, so you don’t need to worry about timing or addressing conflicts.
Every board carries the full admin stack. Manage the network from any board.
Every System2 board has the complete administrative core built in. Connect to any board’s web page and manage your entire network from there. Because every board is a peer, there is no central controller that can bring everything down.
Clicking a board’s blue IP address in the status log jumps straight to that board’s management page. Boards not yet on Wi-Fi show 0.0.0.0 but still operate normally over CAN.
One-click firmware updates with signed binaries. Configuration preserved.
All System2 modules support over-the-air software updates. A single button press downloads and installs the latest version. You can review exactly what’s changed before committing — there are no nagging reminders. Updating is entirely on your terms.
All your configuration data is preserved across updates. The update page shows a detailed changelog with release dates so you know exactly what you’re getting. Completion typically takes under 10 minutes.
Pre-mapped V-Ports for the first 20 boards. Select a number and go.
To speed installation, the first 20 Servo8 boards are pre-mapped into a logical V-Port address space covering the V-Port, Trigger V-Port, and Feedback V-Port addresses. Just select a board number (1a–10b) from the dropdown and all ports are configured instantly.
Changes are live immediately for testing, but won’t survive a reboot until you explicitly save. This is great for experimenting — if you make a mess, just reboot to revert. You can also use Reset to Defaults to return to EasyConfig 1a at any time.
Lightweight publish/subscribe messaging over your existing Wi-Fi.
MQTT provides an alternative to CAN for communication over your existing Wi-Fi network. System2 can operate over MQTT alongside or instead of the CAN bus for maximum flexibility.
MQTT uses your existing Wi-Fi network to communicate, making it ideal for layouts where running additional CAN wiring is impractical.
Three products working together over a single CAN bus cable. Each device has a virtual address (V-Port) so commands and feedback flow automatically.
How the data flows:
The Panel Controller sends a command to the Serv8 on its V-Port address. The Serv8 moves the servo and fires a trigger to the Relay Driver at the midpoint of travel — perfect for switching frog polarity. Meanwhile, feedback messages flow back to the Panel Controller so its LEDs show real-time status: green for normal, amber while moving, red for reverse.
Smooth accel / decel
Bounce at end of travel
Oscillation from centre
Signal lever with grip
End-of-travel oscillation
Sinusoidal acceleration
Sem Lever replicates the long throw of a traditional signal-box lever arm. Gate drives crossing gates and barriers with a smooth, controlled swing. Accel applies acceleration and deceleration curves for natural-looking motion — fast in the middle, gentle at each end. Update your firmware to unlock all three.
Movement type names explained:
Remember: Serv8 is perfect for controlling points & turnouts, semaphore signals, wig wag crossings, gates, barriers — there’s almost no end to what it can animate on your layout.
| Setting | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Range (Low / High) | 1 – 1 000 | Set end-points via sliders or numeric input |
| Speed | 1 – 200 | Higher = faster (1.5 s to 30 s travel) |
| Movement Type | Points / Sem Bounce / Wig Wag / Sem Lever / Gate / Accel | Selects the motion profile for this channel — each type produces a different animation style |
| Reverse | On / Off | Swaps direction instantly |
| V-Port | 1 – 60 000 | Event address this servo listens on |
| Feedback V-Port | 1 – 60 000 | Broadcasts movement start/stop events |
| Trigger V-Port | 1 – 60 000 | Fires at midpoint — ideal for frog relays |
Tip: Firmware updates unlock new movement types and features — from smooth points control to semaphore signals and wig wag crossings. Keep your Serv8 up to date to get the most from your layout.
Your Serv8 keeps getting better over time with free over-the-air updates.
Every System2 board supports over-the-air software updates. New features, performance improvements, and security enhancements are delivered directly to your board — extending its useful life long after purchase.
A single click downloads and installs the latest version. You can review exactly what’s changed before committing. There are no nagging reminders — updating is entirely on your terms.
New features and improvements are added regularly, so your hardware investment keeps growing in capability.
Updates download over your Wi-Fi’s internet connection. Progress is shown on screen and the LED flashes during transfer.
Updates are never forced. You choose when to update and can review the full changelog before committing. Your configuration is preserved.
Downloads use TLS encryption and all binaries must be signed before installation. The process is fail-safe — if interrupted, just try again.
A rolling graph on the main page now shows CAN bus network load over the last 10 minutes with a logarithmic scale.
Version 25The Network Monitor now decodes RFID tag data in real time, letting you inspect tag reads directly from the CAN packet viewer.
Version 25Sem Lever, Gate, and Accel personalities were added, giving you six servo profiles in total. Smooth transitions and no more twitching on boot.
Version 25Every servo action is now smoothed. No more jumping or twitching — whether you press Centre, change a range end-point, or switch movement type, the servo transitions slowly and gently to its new position. Range sliders also drive smooth, real-time movement with no jerky steps.
Version 25Control servos directly from the browser. Click any servo name (S1–S8) to toggle that channel’s position. The two range columns — Low and High — represent the two end positions (left/right, up/down, or however your servo is oriented). A black highlight shows which side is active. Click the Low or High column header to move all eight servos to that end in one go.
Version 25Version 25 delivers broad performance optimisations: blocking code has been eliminated for smoother MQTT connectivity and the network receive buffer enlarged. The incoming packet queue now drains in a single loop iteration, keeping responsiveness high even under heavy CAN bus traffic.
Version 25The backbone of System2 is a proven industrial network protocol — here’s why.
The same protocol that powers smart homes and industrial automation — built right into your layout.
Take full control of your layout with smooth, networked servo automation.
System2 also supports other motor types including Solenoid, Stall, MTB and Kato.