Calibre Offset Pivot Sets and Concealed Closer Arms: PV-1000, CA3010, JO and VO

The top arm of a Calibre overhead concealed closer has worn out, or the pivots of an aluminum storefront door need replacing, and you want the part number that matches. Calibre's current catalog identifies these parts by details you can check at the door: how the door hangs, how deep its top rail is, the hand and the finish.

Center hung or offset hung: check this first

According to Calibre's OHC door closer function chart, most Calibre, Jackson and International type overhead concealed closers in the U.S. market are center hung in the header, with a side loading or end loading top arm and a bottom center pivot. The closer is then both the top pivot of the door and its closing device.

The same closer can also serve an offset door, one set to the outside of the frame and typically hung on offset pivots, butt hinges or a continuous geared hinge. There it only closes the door. The catalog's complete units for offset hung doors come with a JO or VO offset arm and the CA3010-FS anchor set, without offset pivots or butt hinges.

A center hung door therefore needs a side or end loading top arm and a bottom pivot; an offset door needs an offset arm plus its pivots or hinges. For the closer families see door closer types, and for pivots compared with hinges see door hinge types.

CA3010 top arms: match the top rail depth

The parts lists of the CA1100, CA2200, CA3300 and CA6900 series name the same six arms, each with the top rail it is made for:

The VO arm carries a 3020 number, not 3010. In these four series a complete center hung unit comes with the S arm, the CA3010-DP bottom pivot set and the CA3010-FS anchor set unless the customer specifies otherwise; the other arms must be specified.

The CA1100-20 extended spindle closers, made for heavy tempered all glass doors, list only the A arm and the shortened CA3010-A-MOD, offered for shorter top door rails and patch fittings. The CA3300 list includes the A-MOD too.

JO or VO offset arm?

Calibre's offset arm comparison page describes the CA3010-JO as the mortised type, typically mortised down into the top door rail and generally used for most applications. The CA3020-VO is surface applied and requires a top door rail web 7/8 inch deep. Compare the way the old arm sits in your rail with those two descriptions. For both arms the catalog asks you to specify the finish: AL (aluminum) or DU (storefront bronze).

The size charts show JO or VO for the CA1100 medium spring models and for the light, medium and heavy spring models of the CA2200 and CA6900 series, while the ADA handicap spring models are marked N/A in that column. The CA3300 is an ADA series, yet its page lists JO and VO arms for offset hung doors and warns that offset arm geometry can raise the effective spring tension, so the 5 lb opening force requirement may be exceeded.

If only part of an offset arm is worn, ask us first: Calibre's closer page lists the slide block and the C clip of each arm separately (3010-JO-BLK, 3010-JO-CLIP, 3020-VO-BLK, 3020-VO-CLIP).

Bottom pivots for center hung doors

The standard bottom pivot in the catalog is the CA3010-DP, an adjustable dual purpose set with a radial ball bearing for floor or threshold mounting. For the CA1100, CA2200, CA3300 and CA6900 series, two optional sets are ordered separately: the CA3010-G adjustable floor mount and the CA3010-GE adjustable threshold mount.

PV-1000 and other Calibre offset pivot sets

For offset doors Calibre offers pivot sets with a 3/4 inch offset for aluminum doors and frames. The PV-1000 is a non-handed set for flush doors. The catalog lists these PV offset pivot sets:

Under the PV-1000 to PV-7000 photos the catalog also prints a type label, such as J-27 Type for the PV-1000, YKK Type for the PV-5000 and Kawneer Type for the PV-7000. Treat these as Calibre's labels and compare your old pivot with the catalog photos.

For the hand, use Calibre's own door handing chart. On that chart an RH door is the LHRB door, hinge left swing out, and an LH door is the RHRB door, hinge right swing out. Our door handing chart explains the reverse bevel hands.

For the PV-1000 to PV-7000 sets the catalog lists die cast A380 aluminum alloy pivot portions, a full race ball bearing in the bottom door portion and 1/8 inch vertical height adjustment in the floor or jamb portion. The PV-5000 and PV-7000 add steel reinforcement plates for the door portions. Finishes are AL (satin aluminum), BK (black) and DU (storefront bronze), with SL (sanded and lacquer) for the PV-4000 only.

The PV-6890 replacement set is for doors weighing not more than 130 pounds and comes in baked enamel AL or DU.

What to have ready when you order

• How the door hangs: center hung, or offset on pivots or hinges
• For an arm: its loading type and the depth of the top rail
• For a pivot set: flush or recessed door, the recess depth, the hand and the finish
• For a complete closer: the model number and the type of top arm, anchor set and bottom pivot set, as the catalog asks

Calibre catalog, charts and instructions

The current Calibre product catalog (PDF) covers the overhead concealed closers on pages 4 to 13 and the PV offset pivot sets on pages 32 and 33. Under Tools, Calibre's website adds the offset arm comparison and the door handing chart. We did not find installation instructions for these arms and pivot sets there, so call us with the part number if you need them.

The Calibre Door Closers brand page lists the Calibre arms, pivots and closers in our catalog.

Not sure which arm or pivot set matches your door? Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].