Trying to ID replacement balances

Quick Learner from Boston, MA

Nov 4, 2023 11:46 am

Hi - we have several older aluminum windows in the house that need replacement balances. The first one has "b A2830" on the side, the other just has "2830" on it. I've attached pics of what the tops and bottoms look like.

Thanks for nay help, I've struggled to figure out the exact replacement balances on my own!

Ben

4 user uploaded images

6 Replies

Bob from SWISCO

Nov 4, 2023 5:57 pm

Hey Ben. I'm sure we can help, but I need a closer picture of the bottom nylon attachment, in addition to the top. The combination of attachments determine the exact channel balance you need. We should be able to narrow this down for you from there.

Quick Learner from Boston, MA

Nov 8, 2023 6:14 pm

I took the balance for the 2830 channel out of the window, although the plastic attachment at the top cracked when I was trying to get it out of the window. Additional photos attached!

5 user uploaded images

Tom from SWISCO

Nov 9, 2023 8:29 am

Hello there! Bob isn't here today but I'll do my best to advise you.

Looking at these photos, I believe your balance is going to be a match either our S351-29 or S390-29, 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 diagram below will go into more detail.

Looking at your first batch of photos, I also can't help but notice that your window is missing a top sash guide. This is a plastic cap that goes on the top two corners of the sash and keeps the balance in place. If you were to replace your balance today, but not the top sash guide, then there would be nothing holding your balance down. This will have to be addressed before you go any further.

I'll share a video at the end of this post that will go into more detail as to the issue I've described. You can see our full list of top sash guides here. You'll need an old one to use as a reference to find a good match.

Comparison of the S351 and S390 balance shoes.

Quick Learner from Boston, MA

Nov 19, 2023 7:11 pm

Thank you Tom and Bob - well, this is a tough one: I measured the widest parts of the bottom shoe and it looks to my eye like 1 1/16" depth, right in between the two models you list here. Do you have a suggestion for which to order? Or order both and return the one that doesn't fit?

Thank you so much for catching the missing top sash guide - we actually have several windows in the house where this is missing on one side, and the balance is sticking up above the sash. I'll measure our existing sash guides to order those replacement parts as well as replacing the old sticky balances.

My last question: in my initial batch of photos I had two different windows. I'm assuming you're suggesting the same balance replacement for both, even though one had a "b A2830" and the other had just "2830"? (It wouldn't surprise me - they should both be the same height, and clearly the same window model, although they're different widths.)

Thank you so much for all this help!!
Ben

Bob from SWISCO

Nov 19, 2023 9:39 pm

Hello again, Ben. If the shoe depth is between the Series 351 and Series 390, go with the Series 390. Most likely the shoe just wore down from age. So long as the depth is greater than 1", the Series 390 is the most appropriate choice.

Good question about the balances. Basically, in most cases only a certain portion of the stamp code is important--in this case, that 2830 bit. The other digits and letters are usually just manufacturing info not relevant for the replacement balance. Hope this makes sense.

Let us know if you have any other questions, especially regarding those Top Sash Guides Tom noted.