Hi @simonritchie.uk,
To power Reach from a bottom connector, you need a cable without a second connector.
DB9 is a data-transport connector, so cables with DB9 don’t provide power input. Here’s a pinout for this cable.
Also, here’s a pinout of RS232 port on Reach RS2. As you can see, it supports 6-40V input. So 5V isn’t enough to power Reach RS2.
There are indeed no ready solutions. But you can search this forum for some examples. Here’s one of them, where guys used 12V 15A transformer. From the Reach side, you need 6-40V input and one of the GND pins.
once the cable is plugged in, is it possible to remove it and, if so, how?
Usually, you just need to pull the ring attached to a cable near RS232 connector. Does it work?