Kemper Rack Safety bars

NigeThompson · Sep 7th 2017

KEMPER RACK SAFETY MOD - Added Rack Handles
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Having heard the other day about my buddy's rack falling and smashing down onto a table/floor, the only thing that saved his precious Axe FX (and the rest of his rack gear) were the two small rack handles the Axe FX has on either side which bravely took all the impact.
So it dawned on me that if some bumbling clot were to bump mine over on stage, the front controls of my Rack Kemper would take the whole impact - busting the knobs and probably smashing the pcb they're all attached to. In effect - one dead Kemper and £1400 for a new one.
So here's my mod - two steel rack handles rear mounted, replacing four of the securing bolts and tough enough to take the impact. Shallow enough to get the Gator rack lid on, deep enough to be well clear of all the delicate protruding Kemper knobs.
OK the fall (should it happen) may bust the Kemper internals anyway - who knows - but at least it stands a chance now. £6 versus £1400, no brainer.

maccayoung · Sep 10th 2017

Nice!

Did you make the rack handles or purchase them?

GAME-OF-TONES · Sep 14th 2017

Nice addition. But generally ; would the unit not have to fall uniformly for these to be effective (if they did indeed absorb any shock...) ?

This is one of the reasons I was mildly disappointed the rack edition doesn't incorporate a Kensington lock.

I secure my Kemper to my cab with a chain-type solution for fear of exactly the scenario you describe! and also to help prevent potential theft.

Monkey_Man · Sep 15th 2017

Quote from GAME-OF-TONES

would the unit not have to fall uniformly for these to be effective (if they did indeed absorb any shock...) ?

It's all about protecting the front-panel controls (control knobs and chicken switch), GOT, as well as preventing their being forced inwards and damaging the underlying PCB.

Welcome, Nige!

GAME-OF-TONES · Sep 15th 2017

Quote from Monkey_Man

It's all about protecting the front-panel controls (control knobs and chicken switch), GOT, as well as preventing their being forced inwards and damaging the underlying PCB.
Welcome, Nige!

And that's why it's a nice addition ... Imagine the LCD is fairly delicate too and so further protected by this clever fixture/attachment

Cringe at the thought of my Kemper hitting the deck (*shudders*)

GAME-OF-TONES · Sep 15th 2017

I've been looking into and flirting with the idea of comissioning a custom case for my Kemper at some point; whereby the 'lip' of the case would be deeper than the highest Kemper switch (so that it wouldn't pertrude past the lip...) but this is clearly a much cheaper alternative! Excelsior.

Monkey_Man · Sep 15th 2017

Hey GOT, I just want you to know that I didn't miss your implied point that these bars wouldn't prevent internal-shock damage.

A thought on that:
If bars could be installed using thick rubber washers, this shock transference could be minimised... as long as the unit doesn't fall on its side.

GAME-OF-TONES · Sep 15th 2017

Quote from Monkey_Man

Hey GOT, I just want you to know that I didn't miss your implied point that these bars wouldn't prevent internal-shock damage.

A thought on that:
If bars could be installed using thick rubber washers, this shock transference could be minimised... as long as the unit doesn't fall on its side.

Of course @'Monkey_Man ! Was just reiterating if anything

I was thinking the same - in fact, even thick rubber bars to absorb even more shock! I actually used the rubber washers from my TC G System to secure my Kemper to my rack due to their extra thickness - with the aim of just absorbing that little bit of any extra potential shock(s) - great minds

NigeThompson · Oct 10th 2017

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Sorry for the late reply.
I found the handles online here: https://www.rapidonline.com/me…andle-100mm-black-31-0904
I bought the larger ones for more protection (and also because they fit the rack hole spacing) but I guess Kemper could fit something smaller to suit the unit by design.

In terms of shock absorption, that's a very good point - I'm considering slipping something like this onto the bars:
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Ideally I'd have it in a shock mount system in the rack and have the rack rails set inwards about 40mm but that gets even bigger and more expensive!

NigeThompson · Oct 10th 2017

Can confirm that this just had its first real test - a flight cased 8x10 bass cab sent scraping past the front! If it wasn't for those handles I'd be missing a few smashed control knobs now!

GOT, your point about it falling uniformly - whichever way it may fall (onto a flat surface) at least one bar would hit the deck before the controls, then the other. Unless it fell onto something that was narrower than the bars. With a fall, the handles would probably get bent and have to be replaced - not such a big deal - but yes, I'd be worried about the internals.

At least it's protected for now from all the other stage equipment (i.e big cabs and flightcases!!).

Neoland · Oct 30th 2017

The second I saw your picture with the handles, I thought what a great idea. I ordered a couple at once.
I got them now, but unfortunately found out, I can't acces the screw holes from within my SKB flightcase.....

NigeThompson · Oct 31st 2017

Thanks Neoland. It was indeed very tricky to access the screws from the rear of the rack but I have one of these extra long screwdrivers (very cheap). I held them in place with a little tape, fitted the rack over them and managed to screw them tight blind. You'll probably need an extra pair of hands to assist.
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NorthShaun · Oct 31st 2017

Great idea! Cheap mod too!

Neoland · Oct 31st 2017

Thanks Nige, I wish this could be solved with only a long screwdriver, the problem is a big piece of plastic "cheeks" inside which blocks view and acces to the holes. It makes all the 19"equipment sit really tight.... Check the space between the rails and cheeks on the right side.

seyfisariaslan · Aug 1st 2021

Hi NigeThompson,

Link is dead, can you please share the photo of finished version? I'm looking for a solution not only for safety but also for sliding my Kemper rack into the rack case easily. It's very challenging at the moment because there is no handle or any other thing to pull out the Kemper from the rack. Very tricky. Your project may help me Thanks in advance

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