Capability · RS485 & Modbus
RS485 and Modbus connectivity for remote asset monitoring
RS485 and Modbus are the serial connections many pumps, generators and industrial controllers already use. TrackSyte® Neo 2 has RS485 fitted, so those devices can report into the TrackSyte® Portal over MQTT or API — alongside Ethernet, cellular and CAN on the same gateway.
Neo 2 also includes a full-constellation GPS/GNSS receiver as standard. For hire fleets and site operators, that means serial device data, location and alerts arrive together in one monitoring platform.
Your assets
Generators, CCTV, batteries, pumps and plant
Neo 2 gateway
Reads, locates, encrypts
TrackSyte® cloud
MQTT over TLS
- TrackSyte® Portal
- REST API
- MQTT broker
What RS485 and Modbus mean on a field gateway
On site, RS485 is the physical serial connection and Modbus is a common protocol that runs over it, used by meters, controllers, generators and pumps. A gateway that speaks RS485/Modbus can pass useful readings from those devices into the same platform that shows location, power and alerts.
Serial devices are already fitted to many temporary power trailers, pump sets and industrial cabinets. Connecting them gives hire desks runtime, faults and status remotely, instead of sending someone to read a local display. For UK construction and hire fleets, that is the difference between knowing before you go and discovering the problem on arrival.
The principle is simple: if the device speaks Modbus over RS485, Neo 2 can bring it into TrackSyte. We confirm exactly which readings are available for your equipment during setup.
What Neo 2 supports
RS485 is fitted on Neo 2, with Modbus supported for devices that use it. Neo 2 also has CAN bus, GPIO, Ethernet, LTE-M / NB-IoT cellular, a 9–30 V DC supply and Bluetooth, and works with Victron equipment, BMS batteries and Smart Shunt. Full-constellation GPS/GNSS is fitted as standard, and data reaches the Portal via MQTT or API.
For plant and vehicles, CAN bus is usually the better route — see CAN bus and construction equipment telematics. For backhaul options see Ethernet and cellular IoT, and for the full hardware range see Hardware & integrations.
- RS485 fitted on Neo 2
- Modbus for devices that use it
- Also: CAN bus · GPIO · Ethernet · LTE-M / NB-IoT · 9–30 V DC · Bluetooth
- Works with Victron, BMS batteries and Smart Shunt
- Full-constellation GPS/GNSS fitted as standard
- Into TrackSyte Portal via MQTT / API
Where Modbus shows up on site
Pumps and sumps. Overpumping and sump controllers often speak Modbus over RS485. See pump and sump monitoring.
Hybrid and temporary power. Generators, hybrids and battery storage frequently provide serial data, including Victron, BMS and Smart Shunt equipment on power trailers. See hybrid and temporary power.
Industrial cabinets. Meters and controllers in site cabinets commonly use RS485. Pair it with Ethernet where the cabinet is networked.
Mixed construction sites. Pumps and power usually connect over RS485 while plant connects over CAN bus. See construction fleet monitoring for the whole-site view.
- Pumps and sumps
- Generators, hybrids and battery storage
- Meters and controllers in industrial cabinets
- Mixed construction sites alongside CAN-connected plant
Into TrackSyte Portal
Modbus and RS485 data follows the same path as every other Neo 2 interface: into the TrackSyte® Portal over MQTT or API. Operations teams get the Portal view; engineering teams can stream the same data into their own systems — see API & data access.
Data is protected in transit by authentication, TLS encryption and certificates. TrackSyte is built and supported by Green Power Solutions in Cornwall.
FAQs
Which TrackSyte devices have RS485?
RS485 is fitted on Neo 2 and is also available on Hub. Neo 2 adds CAN bus, Modbus, GPIO, LTE-M / NB-IoT, Ethernet, a 9–30 V DC supply and Bluetooth.
Does Neo 2 support Modbus?
Yes. Neo 2 supports Modbus for field devices that use it. We confirm which readings are available for your equipment during setup.
How is RS485/Modbus different from CAN?
RS485/Modbus is the serial connection common on pumps, generators and industrial cabinets. CAN is the network used inside plant and vehicles. Mixed sites often use both, and Neo 2 supports both.
Does Neo 2 include GPS / GNSS as well?
Yes. A full-constellation GPS/GNSS receiver is fitted as standard, alongside RS485, Modbus and the other gateway interfaces.
Is this an industrial VPN or remote PLC access product?
No. TrackSyte uses RS485/Modbus to monitor pumps, generators and industrial cabinets remotely. It is a monitoring platform, not a VPN or remote programming tool.
Explore RS485 and Modbus on Neo 2
If your pumps, generators or industrial cabinets speak Modbus or RS485, book a demo. We will show you how Neo 2 connects them — alongside Ethernet, cellular, CAN and your Victron or BMS equipment — and what your team would see in the Portal.