Series 500 White?

Question

I took this out of my kids' bathroom window. It is a small window that I expected to have a 3/8 balance in but found this instead. It is a 17" 5/8" Spiral Balance with a white tip. If you do not have any white tips, can a pair of red ones be used instead?

Also, I have 22 windows. They are all Mayfair (Classic?). When I look at the bottom of the window, I do not see a bracket screwed in from the bottom. It appears they are screwed in from the side of the sash, which I cannot get to. Do you know how to remove the sash on non-tilts? Alternatively, if the brackets are sound, How do I attach the cross bit and charge the balance? The bracket appears to have only one screw (I thought it might be similar to a side bracket #13, but that is for Series 400 - Side mount bracket N62 appears to be for Series 500 balances).

Paul · Accepted Answer

Thanks for contacting us. For the 17" 5/8" non-tilt balance, you can use the S500-17 with the red tip. The white is just a lighter spring. The red tip is more common now. However, I'm afraid the sash is not removable for this Mayfair window. If the bottom sash clip that is screwed on the side is not broken, I recommend leaving it be. If it is broken, you might be able to use the 17-094 clip-on bottom sash bracket. Below is a generic direction for non-tilt balances.

To remove the old balance, unscrew the balance tube at the top of the track, raise the sash, and unhook the bow tie from the balance bracket, either with the 75-005 tool or needle nose pliers. Now pull the balance tube up working the bow tie through the bracket, so the balance and spiral can come out from the top of the sash. With the bottom sash in the down close position, slide the Series 400 balance tubes down along the inside of the sash channel and screw the balance tube at the top of the window track. Repeat the other side. Raise and hold the bottom sash all the way up and have someone hold it for you. With the 75-005 charging tool, work the spiral bow tie through the balance bracket. The spiral will probably drop after you do this. Bring the spiral back up to the sash and hook the 75-005 tool to the bottom hole of the spiral. Give the spiral about two or three clockwise turns. You should feel the tension building in the balance. Hook the bow tie to the balance bracket and repeat the procedure on the other side of the sash. Try the sash. If it creeps down, raise the sash and give the spirals another clockwise turn and try the sash again.