Broken network jack on the back of the kemper..

tntent · May 8, 2017 at 1:03 AM

Well the flimsy network Jack on the back of my kemper is now broken. This has been my only complaint with he kemper since day one. I thought no biggie, No one else will be back there pulling on cables or anything and if I treat it gently, it will be fine. NOPE. cables will click in but will pull out and lose connection easily resetting or turning off remote. I hope its not one of those tiny direct to board soldered on jacks but I fear it probably is.
Anyone replace the one in theirs and/or mod it to include the neutrik style locking jack yet ?
How Long is the warranty ? I think it has been Just under Three Years but Not Certain.

paults · May 8, 2017 at 1:52 AM

If you haven't yet, check it with another cable before determining it is the jack.

If it is the jack, create a Support ticket.

tntent · May 8, 2017 at 2:02 AM

Quote from paults

If you haven't yet, check it with another cable before determining it is the jack.

If it is the jack, create a Support ticket.

Yes it is the Jack. definitely not the little tab on the cable..

paults · May 8, 2017 at 2:12 AM

Then, create a Support Ticket at the Kemper website.

SanctumSolaris · May 8, 2017 at 2:10 PM

Keep us posted on what support suggests. I am having the exact same issue with my network jack.

whippinpost91850 · May 8, 2017 at 6:13 PM

Same here

tntent · May 9, 2017 at 6:19 PM

Apparently, if your under existing warranty the coverage is to be determined by the service center determination. A service center is checking my serial to see if I am under warranty and waiting for a reply on cost if not covered. If not, I'm likely to investigate reengineering a neutrik style connector myself depending on how tight the board is.

Richy · May 9, 2017 at 10:52 PM

Same issue here. It's definitely not the cable in my case, it's the metal holding on the back of the kpa.

Will also create a support ticket...

SanctumSolaris · July 20, 2017 at 10:30 PM

Any news on this thread? Broken network jack is becoming a real pain.

heldal · July 20, 2017 at 10:48 PM

It's bonkers to try to save a dime or two by using a RJ45-socket instead of a proper neutric ethercon on a mobile device this expensive. Whoever came up with that design deserve a proper spanking.

A solution for those who have their KPA in a rack is to mount an ethercon-socket on the back of the rack that stays permanently connected to the KPA. Even simpler is to use an ethercon coupler with a short cable with RJ45s permanantly attached to the KPA and use a proper ethercon-ethercon cable to hook up to the remote. This coupler will also accomodate the normal remote-cable if you're not prepared to shell out for a new cable or to replace the RJ45-plug on the original cable with ethercon.

tntent · July 22, 2017 at 9:05 AM

Well, I must say that Kemper stepped up and Got my unit fixed for me though I had a difficult time initially with the us warranty person whom Im Told left the company. I now have quite a bit of insight int this and I can tell you there is NOT a comparable network Jack of the neutrik locking variety available to even install inside the kemper. Therefore I would not expect Kemper to propose anything much different. The best alternative would be a short length of high quality cable to a seperate mounted ethercon style jack as has been suggested..

Eltzejupp · July 22, 2017 at 9:10 AM

Metallica

Sad but true

heldal · July 22, 2017 at 1:46 PM

Quote from tntent

I now have quite a bit of insight int this and I can tell you there is NOT a comparable network Jack of the neutrik locking variety available to even install inside the kemper. Therefore I would not expect Kemper to propose anything much different. The best alternative would be a short length of high quality cable to a seperate mounted ethercon style jack as has been suggested..

It is of course not possible to simply replace the socket on existing units, but there is plenty of room for a proper ethercon-socket on the back of the KPA had it been planned when the box layout was designed. It is a, IMHO rather serious, design flaw. There are ample opportunities for improvements to connectors in the next iteration of the KPA-design if there ever will be one. A balanced pair of monitor connections (XLR) would be another such improvement.

SanctumSolaris · July 22, 2017 at 2:53 PM

Thanks guys for the update. Looks like it is going to be a DIY Saturday.

tntent · July 23, 2017 at 2:32 AM

My plan is to install one of these in the back corner of my non powered lunchbox. Hopefully soon. Looks like it will just fit top corner. I already have breakout boxes in back to power wireless guitar, 9 v pedal power, 5v sub and wireless iem as needed.

http://www.neutrik.us/en-us/data/ethercon/ne8fdp-r

whippinpost91850 · July 24, 2017 at 1:10 AM

Would love to see what you end up with. Please post pictures

Finally · July 24, 2017 at 1:33 AM

I'm scared to touch mine now. Tempted to duct tape it in place and just coil the cable on top. This is a critical path thing that can ruin a gig. Plus I live on the other side of the world, so I could be without my rig for weeks.
When I was making my purchase decision the cable for the remote looked really pro, with the XLR looking end. I just assumed that the jacks were robust and that strain relief was part of the whole design. Can't fault the KPA in any other way though.

spazmatron · July 24, 2017 at 4:43 PM

Would this work? https://www.amazon.com/Haitronic-ethe…=cat6+connector

tntent · July 24, 2017 at 4:50 PM

Quote from spazmatron

Would this work? https://www.amazon.com/Haitronic-ethe…=cat6+connector

What would be the point in using a coupler with 2 non locking jacks. The point is to adapt the non locking jack to a locking one that won't be destroyed if the cable gets pulled and leave the non locking plugged into it

heldal · July 24, 2017 at 5:16 PM

Quote from tntent

What would be the point in using a coupler with 2 non locking jacks.

The cable from the coupler to the KPA could be permanently connected and thus eliminate most wear and tear on the KPA's socket.

I would however recommend to spend a little extra to get an ethercon-coupler instead. With ethercons in place on both ends you can use standard ethercon cables to connect to the remote.