Thanks for the ebay link.. Its cheap, and in ontario, so ill order it.
Im pretty sure your spot on about the serial level converter, and requiring it to communicate to the controller.
As far as software goes, i am using the Curtis "1314-4401 pc programming station" software. I got a deal on from my supplier it because the package was missing the cables.
But without the OEM software, you could possible do something similar to this person did.
http://www.zennac.com/1236%20Controller.html i am a computer wiz myself, but some of the stuff he talks about is way over my head, programming wize lol..