Comments on: Roombongle! A Roomba USB dongle

By: Cory D

Cory D — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:48:14 +0000

I have an extra cable that uses the prolific PL2303 to go from USB to serial and I was wondering, instead of dissecting it, couldn’t I just wire an adapter for it that goes from DB-9 to 8-pin mini-din?

It seems like it shouldn’t be more complicated than that, but when I google “Roomba RS-232″ it looks like it’s not as simple as I was expecting. http://hackingroomba.com/projects/build-a-roomba-serial-tether/

By: Edu

Edu — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:31:25 +0000

Hi,

I’ve tried this hack with a Nokica ca-42 cable that have the PL2303, so it does the USB-serial conversion.

I’ve just connected the GND, TX and RX as you explain her, but when connected to the PC and Roomba 530 (turned on), the RoombaComm says that Roomba is not detected.

So, the problem could bae that the DD singnal is not connected?

If, so, wich transistor do I have to put between RTS and Roomba power signal?

Thanks a lot.

By: Brad Wilmot

Brad Wilmot — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:14:34 +0000

You can also get the USB programming cable for the Uniden scanners. It has the same chip in it, and you can usually find it on Ebay for under $10. It’s put together the same way as the Futuredial cables.

By: Roomba Hacks and Modifications Collection | Planet Surfer

Roomba Hacks and Modifications Collection | Planet Surfer — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:05:15 +0000

[...] Roomba USB Interface [...]

By: todbot

todbot — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:01:10 +0000

Thanks Ryan, that’s awesome!

By: Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:09:44 +0000

You can get the futuredial cable here.
Only $6.99

http://www.markdownalley.com/ShowItem.cfm?itemid=1523

By: Rich Flowers

Rich Flowers — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:15:25 +0000

I found a couple of these FutureDial cables on eBay recently

By: Aaron E

Aaron E — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:26:35 +0000

A further note on that. I picked up a cable with a bulge in it for the VX4500 hoping that like Shawn, I would get a PL2303. Unfortunately it’s a no go. My Cable had just some basic electronics inside. (It was an OEM LG USB7000… DO NOT get this cable!)

So If you can, grab a Futuredial cable. They seem to be the ones that reliably have the PL2303 chip that makes this thing possible.

By: todbot

todbot — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:12:51 +0000

Thanks Aaron, though that does suck. But then I've noticed it becoming harder to find serial-based sync cables as modern phones move to having USB interfaces inside them. Fortunately, I bet EBay will always have them. :)

By: Aaron E

Aaron E — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:09:34 +0000

FYI for anyone reading this more recently, RadioShack no longer carries FutureDial Cables. They stopped when they stopped carrying Verizon phones.

At any rate, look for a data cable for the phones mentioned on the NSLU2-Linux Tod mentions, and you’ll be able to find something compatible.