Hi, I have a "98" Winnebago and my refrigerator is going out and I can not afford to replace it with a propane/electric compatible one. I am planning on replacing it with a small electric only refrigerator. My question is how will I "cap off" the propane line that goes to the old refrigerator?Thanks so much :)

As most units have black pipe gas lines that then change to copper near the device, I would remove the copper line where it enters the steel pipe and replACE it with a plug. Use some pipe dope and check for leaks

Make sure the CNG is off at the tank, then after installing the plug with pipe sealer or TFE tape turn on the CNG and test for a leak with liquid soap an water in a spray bottle, re-test again after some time has passed.

Okay, I will ask. WTF is a CNG?

Congrats on the refrigerator replacement. A conversion to a residential is generally considered an upgrade around these parts. In time you can add an inverter and a couple of batterys and you wont miss the propane unit a bit. Re the line, find the appropriate sized and threaded cap and cap it off. Problem solved and you'll have a better fridge out of the deal.

Removing and replacing a propane refrigerator

15 Replies

DSDP_Don
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
ticummins.....There are a lot of jobs that people ask for help on how to do because it may be an unusual job or exotic. No offense, but in this case if you have to ask how to cap a gas line and where to buy the parts, this may not be a job you should tackle. If you do, get someone else to check your work. I investigated two RV refrigerator fires that started from gas lines that were not connected properly after a repair or install.
tlcummins
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Oh Good! Home Depot. Shipped off and rebuilt? Sounds expensive for a 20 yr. old fridge... Also, I live in it full time and can't go that long without it. Has to be a couple of hours turn around. But thanks, ya'll have been a big help :)
spcorvette
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Why not get your unit rebuilt? There are several companies that do this.
You ship your heat exchanger to them, they rebuild, test and ship it back.
That way you don't have to modify anything.
I have dealt with National RV Refrigeration in Shipshewana Indiana.
Terry
Gau_8
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
MrWizard wrote:
cng - compressed Natural gas

he made a typo or has a very special RV

rv's use LP aka propane

Sounds like the guy that likes to call batteries "jars."
popeyemth
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Lipets wrote:
why pay that price, home depot

X2 take a pic with a smartphone with a tape measure beside it and go to a hardware store and just tell them you want to cap or plug this line
Good Luck, Mike
Lipets
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
why pay that price, home depot
tlcummins
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Gau 8, that was my first thought too. Powderman426, and everyone else, thank you for your answers. Is it safe to assume I can get the plug, pipe dope, and tape at Camping World?
MrWizard
Moderator
Aug 09, 2013
cng - compressed Natural gas

he made a typo or has a very special RV

rv's use LP aka propane
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 09, 2013
If you use teflon tape make sure it's the yellow stuff thats rated for gas and not the white that isn't.
powderman426
Explorer
Aug 09, 2013
Gau 8 wrote:
Okay, I will ask. WTF is a CNG?

Compressed Natural Gas. But thats not what you have.