Custom Balance inquiry

Thanks for your photos. Based on what I see here, you have either our S380-30 or S385-30, depending on the depth of the bottom shoe. That's the only difference between them. I recommend measuring your shoe and referring to our dimensions to confirm the best match.

The length of the metal channel should be 30", based on your stamp. Please make sure to triple check that before you buy anything. 29-3/8" is not a size that we can supply for this design.

Comparison of the S378, S380 and S385 balance shoes.

Based on your stamp of "2930," the metal channel should be 30" long. None of our full inch balances can replace a channel of 29-3/8", though. I know that doesn't seem like a huge difference but it is a deal breaker. Even a difference as small as 1/4" will render a channel balance incompatible with a window. These are very precise systems, and if the size isn't identical then they're not going to work.

If the balance is too long, it will stick out of the bottom of the sash and will prevent it from closing when it hits the sill. Too short, and the cord won't have enough travel to allow the window to close; you'll run into a similar problem but with a much worse consequence, as you run the risk of ripping the cord right out of the pulley.

There is no rounding up or down for this kind of part. It has to be exact or it won't work at all. I've never seen a 3/8" length increment, either, so I'm not sure where these balances might have even come from. It's possible that whoever installed your balances likely altered them, presumably because they were initially the wrong size. I'm just guessing, though, I really can't tell you why anyone would do that. All I can tell you with confidence is that if the metal channel is 29-3/8", then this isn't a project we can help you with.

You also mentioned a 2830 balance with a 29" metal channel. That is more in line with industry standards, so nothing out of the ordinary there. As for what model you need, that depends entirely on the combination of nylon fittings. As outlined above, the nylon fittings are what determines Series.

If the shoe depth is 1", then the Series 380 is a possibility. However without actually seeing your plastic fittings, same as you showed me for the last balance, then that's not something I can tell you for sure. Balances come in many configurations that all use dozens of different plastic fittings, some of which have a 1" bottom but are by no means the same. If you are unable to garner from our product photos whether the Series 380 is a match, I'd be happy to look at it myself were you to supply photos.

Great, thank you! As long as this shoe is 1" deep, the Series 380 should work perfectly fine as a replacement for this balance.

This looks to be a top sash guide of sorts, but truth be told I've never seen anything like this. I wonder if I'm right after all, or if this is a different component. Can you tell me what its function is? Might it also be possible to see a photo of it installed? Finally, can you confirm that this is the entire piece, or has some of it broken off? Seeing a complete an undamaged part may give me a better idea of what it is.

Awesome, I'm glad to hear it! Please feel free to reach back out if you run into any issues, or if you had follow up questions in general. We're always here to help.