Assembling the CISD (Colin's Integrated Serial Device)

Assembling the CISD (Colin’s Integrated Serial Device) – colin@colino.net

colin@colino.net

2026/06/19<br>About 2 minutes read

The CISD is a custom-made serial switchbox that allows me to do everything I want to do with my Apple II’s serial ports, without having to plug and unplug cables all the time. I have written about it in Upgrading my Apple II serial setup.

Here are its assembly instructions.

If possible, work on a cardboard or something a bit rigid; it will help later to keep the screws in place when you turn the CISD over to screw it shut.

Insert the three M2.5 screws where the Pi will sit,

Put the Pi in place,

Connect the USB extender and position the spacers.

Use the 11mm spacers if you have installed small heatsinks, or the 3mm ones if you use the Geekworm P165-A heatsink.

At this point, if you want to use your Pi with Ethernet instead of Wifi, connect a network cable and pass it through the CISD hat. Otherwise, make sure to configure Wifi before encasing the Pi!

Preparing the Ethernet cable routing

You can now assemble the Pi and the CISD hat.

The hat positioned over the Pi

The hat is now connected to the Pi

Position the ACIA/Zilog switch extender, notched side up

You can now position the top of the enclosure over the bottom, and turn the whole assembly around. Make sure the three screws stay in place. If you use an Ethernet cable, have it pass through its dedicated hole, over the Quicktake connector.

Turn the CISD upside-down,

Tighten the three screws,

Position the four 2.5mm wood screws and tighten them.

Stick the four rubber feet.

You’re done!

Assembling the CISD (Colin's Integrated Serial Device)

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