How to Connect Your Scoreboard to Piike

Use your existing pool scoreboard hardware with Piike's live scoring system. No special software needed — just Chrome and a USB cable.

What You Need

USB-to-Serial Adapter

Connects your scoreboard's RS-232 serial cable to your laptop's USB port. Available for ~$15.

Google Chrome 89+

The Web Serial API is supported in Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Safari and Firefox are not supported.

Scoreboard with Serial Input

Most pool scoreboards (Daktronics, Colorado, Fair-Play) accept RS-232 serial data.

Laptop Near the Scoreboard

The laptop running Chrome needs to be physically connected via USB cable (or WiFi bridge).

Setup Steps

Plug in Your USB-to-Serial Adapter

Connect the RS-232 serial cable from your scoreboard controller to a USB-to-serial adapter, then plug that into your laptop. Most adapters use the Prolific PL2303 or FTDI chipset. Windows and macOS typically install drivers automatically.

Open Your Meet's Scoring Page

Navigate to your meet in Piike and go to the Scoring tab. You'll see a 'Scoreboard' panel at the bottom of the page. Make sure you're using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Click 'Connect Scoreboard'

Click the Connect Scoreboard button. Chrome will show a dialog listing available serial ports. Select the one that matches your USB adapter (usually named something like 'USB Serial Device' or 'Prolific USB-to-Serial').

Choose Your Protocol

Select the protocol that matches your scoreboard hardware. Daktronics is the most common in college and high school pools. If you're unsure, try 'Auto-detect' which defaults to Daktronics format.

Daktronics — Most college and high school aquatic scoreboards. All Sport series (3000, 5000, 5500).

Colorado Timing — Colorado Time Systems scoreboards, common at larger facilities and championship meets.

Omega Ares 21 — Omega timing system scoreboards. Binary protocol used with Ares 21 aquatics systems.

Generic ASCII — Simple text-based protocol. Works with custom LED boards, TV overlays, and DIY setups.

Test the Connection

Click the 'Send Test' button. This sends a sample score to your scoreboard. You should see the test data appear on the display. If nothing shows up, check the baud rate setting (try 9600 first, then 2400 or 19200).

Troubleshooting

Chrome doesn't show any serial ports

Make sure the USB adapter is plugged in before clicking Connect. You may need to install drivers for your adapter — search for 'Prolific PL2303 driver' or 'FTDI driver' for your OS. Restart Chrome after installing drivers.

Connected but nothing shows on the scoreboard

Try a different baud rate. Common rates: 9600 (most modern), 2400 (older Daktronics), 19200 (some Colorado systems). Also check that the serial cable is plugged into the correct port on the scoreboard controller.

Scores show garbled text

Wrong protocol. Switch between Daktronics, Colorado, and Generic ASCII until the display looks correct. If using a custom setup, try Generic ASCII.

I'm on Safari / Firefox

Web Serial is only supported in Chrome and Edge. Please switch to one of those browsers for scoreboard functionality.

Port access denied

Another application may be using the serial port (timing software, etc.). Close other programs that might be accessing the port and try again.

No Scoreboard? Use a TV

If your pool doesn't have a dedicated scoreboard, you can use any TV or monitor as a live score display.

1Open your meet's live page at piike.co/live/your-meet-slug on any device
2Cast to a TV using Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, or connect via HDMI cable
3Scores update in real-time as you enter them in the scoring page

Judge Input Devices

Piike can read scores directly from electronic judge input devices. Judges press their scores on physical keypads, and the scores appear instantly in the scoring form — no manual entry needed.

Supported Devices

J-Pads — Standard wired judge keypads used at most competitions. Connect via USB-to-serial adapter.
Verifone Terminals — Payment terminal-style devices repurposed for judging. ASCII serial protocol.
Omega Keypads — Omega Ares 21 system keypads. Binary protocol at 19200 baud.
Generic — Any device that sends judge number and score as ASCII text over serial.

How to Connect Judge Devices

Use the same USB-to-serial adapter you use for scoreboards. Just plug the judge device cable into the adapter instead. In the meet scoring page, open the "Judge Input Devices" panel, select your device type, and click Connect.

Full Loop: J-Pad to Scoreboard

You can connect BOTH judge input devices AND a scoreboard simultaneously — scores come in from judges, Piike calculates the result, and sends it to the scoreboard automatically. Two USB-to-serial adapters, one laptop, fully automated.

Judge Device Compatibility

Device	Protocol	Baud Rate	Tested
Standard J-Pads (wired)	J-Pad	9600	✓
Verifone VX-series	Verifone	9600	Community
Omega Ares 21 Keypads	Omega	19200	✓
Custom / DIY Keypads	Generic ASCII	9600	Community

Want Wireless?

If running a cable from your laptop to the scoreboard is impractical, you can use a WiFi-to-Serial bridge (around $25). These small devices connect to your scoreboard's serial port and create a WiFi endpoint that Piike can communicate with.

Popular options include the USR-W610 and HF2211 modules. Setup involves configuring the bridge's WiFi settings and pointing it to your local network.

Compatible Hardware

Manufacturer	Models	Protocol	Tested
Daktronics	All Sport 3000, 5000, 5500	Daktronics	✓
Colorado Time Systems	6000 Series, Ares 21	Colorado	✓
Fair-Play	MP-70, MP-80 Series	Generic ASCII	Community
Nevco	LED Series	Generic ASCII	Community
Generic LED Boards	RS-232 compatible	Generic ASCII	Community

Need a USB-to-Serial Adapter?

Any adapter with the Prolific PL2303 or FTDI FT232 chipset will work. We recommend the ones with a 9-pin DB9 connector which plugs directly into most scoreboard controllers.

Shop USB-to-Serial Adapters on Amazon

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