RS232 add-on for the badBrick model B RaspberryPi case

thingiverse

This device attaches to the badBrick model B Raspberry Pi case to securely fasten a level-converter for RS232, enabling the 9-pin D connector to be easily connected and disconnected from the Raspberry Pi. This modification makes the Raspberry Pi an extremely versatile micro-computer ideal for specialized applications (I utilize one for interfacing with an Amateur Radio transceiver via the UART serial interface built into the Raspberry Pi and a USB sound card). A notable note is that this design was created to fit the Amazon-bought adapter, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088SNIOQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Although it is more expensive, this particular adapter seamlessly works out of the box for not only TX/RX but also CTS/RTS pins which are crucial to my project. The CTS/RTS GPIO pins can be easily activated by performing some basic soldering and programming procedures that can be found at http://dl8scu.wordpress.com/tag/raspberry/. For proper assembly: Print the design with its flat part (with the vent slats) facing down on your print bed; supports are not required. If the RS232 port does not fit easily into place, it's perfectly acceptable to break out the bridged section so that the SUB-D connector is only partially enclosed. To achieve this, remove only the small triangular piece. Before snapping the cover onto the badBrick case (it should naturally align through the vent holes), slightly sand or file a tiny bit off the square "pegs," particularly near their edges. The device should fit securely without exerting too much force and flexing the Raspberry Pi case. Additionally, the solder connections on the underside of the RS232 converter board must be precisely aligned with the vent holes in the badBrick case to provide further structural support.