The reason I use the buffer is that I've had the serial data (even when I can find it), be marginal for driving the RS board. The buffer is a 2X amplifier as well as a low impedance drive, so it is able to produce a full 0/5V swing on the serial data, and thus there's no issue with signal amplitude.
I get the 5V from the R2LC, in this case, since you have the LCRU, the 5V should be on the LCRU connection for these wires, two are 5V, and two are the PWM motor drives. You're catching me a bit early, I'm going to make PCB's for the serial buffer and have them available soon.