Mercer AE800 single-hung vinyl window spring balancer problem

Home Owner from Yreka, CA

Feb 4, 2019 3:13 pm

Hi,

My mother has a problem with one of her Mercer AE800 vinyl windows: the spring balancer on the left side (looking out the window) has failed: the cord broke, and the mechanism has come loose and fallen down. These are single-hung, and not tip-out as far as I know. Mercer is out of business, but apparently they didn't make the hardware anyway.

The fallen mechanism has the lettering "20-9 KX CMC 7" on it (visible in one of the photos).

Can you supply the parts needed to fix this? I would like to do the repair myself; I'm owner/builder of another house on the same lot so should be able to do the work myself.

If the photos are not sufficient, I can take more as directed.

Thank you...

--Ian

4 user uploaded images

11 Replies

Bob from SWISCO

Feb 5, 2019 3:54 pm

Thanks for posting, Ian. I think we can definitely help you replace these channel balances; but I'm going to need a little more information to be able to help you.

First, could you remove one of the channel balances and provide pictures of the nylon attachments at either end of the metal channel? Could you also confirm the length of the metal channel, but not including those nylon attachments? This will help us identify the right replacement.

Finally, could you also weigh your window sash? Your stamp code of 20-9 is from an older rating system we no longer use; so we'll need the precise weight of your sash to know how strong of a spring your new balances need. Thanks!

Home Owner from Yreka, CA

Feb 5, 2019 7:41 pm

OK, thanks, will do that. I called my mom and we're going to wait a few days until the weather is better-- just in case I take the sash out and can't get it back in (or something else goes wrong). Doing my MacArthur impression: "I shall return". --ian

Handy Person from Yreka, CA

Feb 17, 2019 4:02 pm

Hi again...

I finally took the sash out (elapsed time: about 3 seconds) and got some pics. The sash weights 26# and attached are three pics of the broken channel.

The length of the metal channel itself is 12" and add about 1" overall if including the plastic ends. Width is about 3/8".

Pics are low-res but hopefully good enough to ID the part. If not, I can do it again and bring my own camera this time.
Pics of the other sides of the plastic ends did not come out :-(

--ian

3 user uploaded images

Bob from SWISCO

Feb 18, 2019 9:17 am

Perfect, this is exactly the information we need. I'm confident you have either our S380-12 or S385-12. The only difference between these balances is the depth of the bottom shoe; or, the "heel to toe" measurement of the shoe. If it's 1" deep, you want our S380-12. If it's 1-3/32" deep, you want our S385-12 instead.

Measure yours and see which one matches up better. Make sure to account for wear in your measurement. What I mean by that is, your shoe's depth may be a little less than it once was.

The only issue now is the weight of the sash. 26 pounds is very heavy for a 12" balance. I would double check just to be sure. I don't think they ever made a 12" balance that can support that kind of weight.

Handy Person from Yreka, CA

Feb 18, 2019 3:25 pm

I measure the shoe at 1-1/16" deep, though there may be some wear on the plastic.

We did weight the sash twice, and checked that the scale zeroed. If it's not 26# then it's close to it. What's the typical weight it would support? Two balances means each supports about 13#. If this is unlikely or impossible, I can bring a different scale over weigh it again.

The spring in this thing looks pretty heavy-duty.

3 user uploaded images

Tom from SWISCO

Feb 19, 2019 9:10 am

Thanks for getting back to us! If the shoe is 1-1/16" deep, then it was probably once 1-3/32" and wore down over time. I think you have the S385-12.

Our balance springs are calibrated assuming that two balances are sharing the load. For example, you'll see that the 1110 stamp option indicates it can support 3 to 6 pounds. That's not per balance, that's for the pair of them. The heaviest standard option we have is 1150, which carries 12 to 15 pounds, which is far under what you have.

We may be able to provide a heavy duty spring as a custom option. I've been looking into that on the sly, as a matter of fact, but I'm still waiting on confirmation as to whether or not that's possible. Please give us a little more time as we investigate it and I'll let you know ASAP.

Tom from SWISCO

Feb 19, 2019 10:21 am

Hello again, Ian. I was rereading your post and just noticed that in your first post you noted that your stamp is 20-9. This usually indicates a metal channel length of 21", not 12". Can you confirm? If so, then our standard S385-21 with a 2050 stamp should work. This can carry sashes weighing 23 through 27 pounds.

Handy Person from Yreka, CA

Feb 19, 2019 10:55 am

Yikes, the metal channel is definitely not 12"-- it is 21"-- must have transposed the digits. So that makes a lot more sense doesn't it? The first picture in my first posting shows the sash and it's definitely not a foot tall. Sorry for the mix-up.

Handy Person from Yreka, CA

Feb 19, 2019 11:30 am

Looks like I need the S385-21 with 2050 option. Thanks much for your help, and sorry about the mix-up.

Tom from SWISCO

Feb 19, 2019 12:28 pm

Not a problem! I do it all the time, trust me. You stare at these balances as long as I do and the numbers all start to blend together.

I'm happy to help, and if you have any other questions then please let me know!