Tom from SWISCO responded:
April 13, 2020
Hey, Joseph. It does look like your spiral balance is 3/8" in diameter, so our S400-36 would be our best match. However, I can't use the window size alone to confirm the best strength option. You'll have to try to weigh your sash on a scale to determine how much its weighs, then refer to the chart we show on the S400-36 store page. |
Tom from SWISCO responded:
April 15, 2020
You probably won't be able to remove the sash. Although there is overlap, I would also recommend against guessing. I've been burned too many times trying that. If I were you, I'd play a bathroom scale on the sill and gently lower the sash on top of it. That's obviously not going to be pinpoint accurate but it will be close enough for our purposes. |
Paul from SWISCO responded:
April 16, 2020
Wow, that's incredibly heavy. I can't believe a window manufacturer would make that large and heavy a sash to be used with just a skinny 3/8" tube balance. In this case, we can offer the S400-36 yellow tip, which is recommended for a sash weighing 24 through 34 lbs. They unfortunately don't manufacturer a heavier spring for the 3/8" tube balance, which is why this is so surprising. It falls under your sash weight so it may be weak, but there is nothing stronger in this size. We also recommend a charging tool to add tension to the spiral and to help attach the little bow tie at the end of the spiral to the bottom sash clip. |
Paul,
I double checked using a different method and confirmed what I was getting. Hopefully the fresh new set will be an improvement.
Thank you guys very much for all your attention. I know this order will not be too large. If it is any consolation, I live in an apartment complex and have been talking with the maintenance crew. They don't currently have a source for getting these balances and have been looking for one. If all this works out you may get them as a customer as well as myself.
I will be adding the charging tool to my order as well.
Have a great day,
Joseph
Paul from SWISCO responded:
April 17, 2020
It was our pleasure to help, Joseph. We would be greatly appreciative of any business you send our way. Thanks for reaching out to us and please let us know if this project is successful. |
Tom from SWISCO responded:
May 8, 2020
Thanks for the update, Joseph, and for the recommendations! We really appreciate it. We usually don't recommend giving a spiral balance more than 3-5 turns. You should start to feel tension build by that point. Charging any more of that risks damaging the balance. I'm surprised you had to charge it that many times. The Yellow Tip option is the absolute strongest spring they make for this balance. They don't come any stronger. If you did get the balances to work regardless then I guess don't worry about it, but it's something to keep in mind. |