What Spiral Balance do I Need?

Home Owner from Manorville NY

Apr 2, 2019 7:44 pm

Hi,

I need two balancers for now to see if it makes a difference with my window. If it does I will probably order for my other 25 windows.

Type of window: Title Window

Length: 29" (sent a picture)

Diameter: ??? (sent a picture with tape measure over diameter)

Markings: I see an "AU B 1" on the balancer (sent a picture)

Color Tip: It looks orange to me, but it is very dirty (sent picture)

Any help would be appreciated indicating which balancer I need.

Thank you in advance,

Eric

3 user uploaded images

6 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Apr 3, 2019 8:50 am

Thank you for your detailed inquiry. I believe the spiral balance you can go with is our S900-29. Look it over to confirm this is a match. You should be able to go with the red tipped color bearing, which holds a sash weight of 10-22 pounds. But if you are not sure if that is the correct color, then you can always weigh your sash on a scale and refer to the sash chart located on the product page.

Home Owner from Manorville NY

Apr 3, 2019 4:53 pm

Hi,

Thank you for the response. Would it hurt if i went with the Green tip to be safe?

Thanks again,
Eric

Bob from SWISCO

Apr 4, 2019 8:03 am

Hi Eric. The Green Tip is meant for a window sash that weighs 14 through 26 lbs. If your window sash happened to weigh less than 14 lbs, then the spiral balance's spring calibration might be too strong for your window, and you'd either have trouble closing it or notice it drifting open from time to time. You want your window sash's weight to fall within the weight range of the color option; that way we know the balance is calibrated to match your window's needs. We're only taking a 4 lb difference in range between the Green and Red tips, of course; but in any event, we generally advise that it's best to stick with the color you originally had, which as Paul noted, is red.

Home Owner from Manorville

Apr 9, 2019 8:28 am

Hi,

I received the balancers, installed them and the window works great.

I just have one question before I order a lot more.

I had to rotate each balancer about 10-12 times in order for the tension to hold up the window. The sash weighs 18 pounds. Is this about normal amount of rotations? Or am I pushing the balancers to the limit and should I order the green ones instead?

Thank you again,
Eric

Bob from SWISCO

Apr 9, 2019 9:12 am

Hey, Eric! I'm glad to hear the balances are working out. That's always great news.

As for the number of rotations, 10-12 is a lot. 18 pounds does fall under the Red Tip threshold, but I suppose it is on the high end. You may want to consider going up to the Green Tip just to be safe. Then again, if the balances you got are working fine, then I suppose you could get away with it. In my experience you'll typically feel tension build before that. Personally speaking, I'd opt for Green.