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Flexible connector for propane fridge

S

Scott Willing

Jan 1, 1970
0
Trying to help a recently-widowed friend with her Danby propane
fridge. We're seriously out in the boonies and expert help ranges from
difficult to impossible to find.

I have the same fridge, but it was installed in such a way - with the
gas feed line on a long free run along the baseboard - that it's easy
for me to pull the fridge out to access the burner for cleaning etc.

OTOH, hers was installed with the gas line running directly from the
back of the fridge through an outside wall to the propane bottle.
Getting at the back of the fridge therefore means disconnecting the
feed line.

I'm sure that I saw flexible gas lines for nat gas ranges back in my
city livin' days - protected by metal braid as I recall. Did I imagine
this, and are such things available in small sizes for propane
appliances such as this fridge?

I'd like to know this for sure - preferably along with correct
terminology - before I end up in a pointless long-distance discussion
with some reluctant sales clerk.

TIA,
-=s
 
D

Dale Farmer

Jan 1, 1970
0
Scott said:
Trying to help a recently-widowed friend with her Danby propane
fridge. We're seriously out in the boonies and expert help ranges from
difficult to impossible to find.

I have the same fridge, but it was installed in such a way - with the
gas feed line on a long free run along the baseboard - that it's easy
for me to pull the fridge out to access the burner for cleaning etc.

OTOH, hers was installed with the gas line running directly from the
back of the fridge through an outside wall to the propane bottle.
Getting at the back of the fridge therefore means disconnecting the
feed line.

I'm sure that I saw flexible gas lines for nat gas ranges back in my
city livin' days - protected by metal braid as I recall. Did I imagine
this, and are such things available in small sizes for propane
appliances such as this fridge?

I'd like to know this for sure - preferably along with correct
terminology - before I end up in a pointless long-distance discussion
with some reluctant sales clerk.

TIA,
-=s

Contact the fridge manufacturer, or your propane supplier. Either one

of them should be able to give you exactly what you need. As with any
fuel gas connection, you should be extremely careful that the fuel is shut

off before working on the system, and after you turn the fuel back on,
check very carefully for any leaks. ( Use your ears and nose, not a lit
match, candle or lighter. )

--Dale
 
M

mnaan

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, its commonly used, no different than NG. I think the Danby uses a 3/8
inch but not sure. Run your solid pipe through the wall with an inside
shutoff valve (rated for gas). Then attack flex line, no teflon or pipe dope
needed on those connections. Turn on gas and smell for leaks. Better to
saturate a sponge with soapy water and dribble the soapy water on your
connections. The soap makes the water 'stick' and if there is a leak you
will see bubbles grow.

Pete
 
W

Wade

Jan 1, 1970
0
HDinNY said:
Scott Willing wrote:
snipped
snipped

Maybe Chris Bryant will step in on this. It could be the
connections to the appliances have to be solid connections.
I wouldn't use a flexible connector as used in homes. They
may be okay but I wouldn't trust them, the vibrations over
the road dontcha know <g>.
HD in NY
Manufacturers use the flexible connector in units with the Galley slide out,
and have been for some time now.
Wade
 
C

clare @ snyder.on .ca

Jan 1, 1970
0
Trying to help a recently-widowed friend with her Danby propane
fridge. We're seriously out in the boonies and expert help ranges from
difficult to impossible to find.

I have the same fridge, but it was installed in such a way - with the
gas feed line on a long free run along the baseboard - that it's easy
for me to pull the fridge out to access the burner for cleaning etc.

OTOH, hers was installed with the gas line running directly from the
back of the fridge through an outside wall to the propane bottle.
Getting at the back of the fridge therefore means disconnecting the
feed line.

I'm sure that I saw flexible gas lines for nat gas ranges back in my
city livin' days - protected by metal braid as I recall. Did I imagine
this, and are such things available in small sizes for propane
appliances such as this fridge?

I'd like to know this for sure - preferably along with correct
terminology - before I end up in a pointless long-distance discussion
with some reluctant sales clerk.

TIA,
-=s

Get a propane hose from an RV dealer - they are used to go from the
bottle to the regulator, as well as, in many cases, from the regulator
to the "main line". BarB Qs run flexible hose from regulator to
valve. Should be no problem getting something to connect from the hard
line to the 'fridge.
 
D

Dons

Jan 1, 1970
0
Suggestion for what you think your life is worth. I spent 25 years a
firefighter and safety director, some amount of worthwhile knowledge on
subject.

The code approved way is to make a simple loop with the copper that will not
stress at one of the flex points. Just come thru wall go arround behind the
device and make a simple loop that comes back to the connection point. now
loop will allow you to pull out clean check whatever.... Takes about 3
extra ft. of copper.....
 
D

Dave Anthony

Jan 1, 1970
0
HDinNY said:
Scott Willing wrote:
snipped
snipped

Maybe Chris Bryant will step in on this. It could be the
connections to the appliances have to be solid connections.
I wouldn't use a flexible connector as used in homes. They
may be okay but I wouldn't trust them, the vibrations over
the road dontcha know <g>.
HD in NY

You wouldn't trust a stainless steel braided line?
My buddies popup has a stainless quick disconnect on his stove so he can
remove it and attach it to the outside of the camper and cook.
I've also seen quick connections over the license plate in the bumper so
you can hook a grill there.
IMHO they "looked" allot like boat tank connectors.
Must be safe to use then.

Dave
 
C

Chris Bryant

Jan 1, 1970
0
Trying to help a recently-widowed friend with her Danby propane fridge.
We're seriously out in the boonies and expert help ranges from difficult
to impossible to find.

I have the same fridge, but it was installed in such a way - with the gas
feed line on a long free run along the baseboard - that it's easy for me
to pull the fridge out to access the burner for cleaning etc.

OTOH, hers was installed with the gas line running directly from the back
of the fridge through an outside wall to the propane bottle. Getting at
the back of the fridge therefore means disconnecting the feed line.

I'm sure that I saw flexible gas lines for nat gas ranges back in my city
livin' days - protected by metal braid as I recall. Did I imagine this,
and are such things available in small sizes for propane appliances such
as this fridge?
<<..>>

RVs typically use a flexible "rubber" line- approved for LP use, low
pressure. Most have a female flare on one end with pipe thread on the
other. The main caveat is to support it so it cannot kink.

But.. I'm assuming this is in a "real estate" dwelling, and not a
vehicle- in that case I would go by local code, which would probably be a
flexible metal tube (these are common for ranges, which have to be moved
fairly often).
 
J

John Gilmer

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dons said:
Suggestion for what you think your life is worth. I spent 25 years a
firefighter and safety director, some amount of worthwhile knowledge on
subject.

The code approved way is to make a simple loop with the copper that will not
stress at one of the flex points. Just come thru wall go arround behind the
device and make a simple loop that comes back to the connection point. now
loop will allow you to pull out clean check whatever.... Takes about 3
extra ft. of copper.....

Amen!

Copper tubing is the WAY TO GO with LPG. Personally, I would use a little
more than 3' extra. I would use about the same amount of tubing you see
for the water supply for the ice maker: coil it up with a 18" diameter
coil.
 
S

Scott Willing

Jan 1, 1970
0
<<..>>

RVs typically use a flexible "rubber" line- approved for LP use, low
pressure. Most have a female flare on one end with pipe thread on the
other. The main caveat is to support it so it cannot kink.

But.. I'm assuming this is in a "real estate" dwelling, and not a
vehicle- in that case I would go by local code, which would probably be a
flexible metal tube (these are common for ranges, which have to be moved
fairly often).

Yep, sorry I should've made that clear.

Codes aren't that much of an issue here, but safety certainly is.

Thanks for this and all the other responses. I have a couple of
options to investigate now. Very much appreciated.

-=s
 
W

Wade

Jan 1, 1970
0
Scott Willing said:
Codes aren't that much of an issue here, but safety certainly is.

Thanks for this and all the other responses. I have a couple of
options to investigate now. Very much appreciated.

That's what the Code is all about safety.
Wade
 
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