Capping propane lines

[Blue~Go]

Kirah,

I don't know whether or not it would damage the tank to sit empty. That would be something to research. Obviously it's not a problem for it to sit with some propane in it. I just have this thought in the back of my mind that if it REALLY gets empty you may have to have it purged or it just may not be the best. I don't want mine empty, so not sure.

Here is why you would use a cap or a plug, but they don't interchange. Basically in a flare joint one side is "male" and one "female." So whichever one you are left with you have to use the opposite one to stop it off.

The "female" side consists of a copper pipe (tube) with a flare (trumpet end shape). That same side will have the flare nut (the ring like thing that goes on before you flare the pipe). If you are left with that end and want to stop it off, then you use a flare "plug" (male). The plug has the cone shape that mates with the flare (and then the existing nut that is already on the flared pipe holds them together).

The other side of a flared fitting is the "cone shaped" part (male). If you end up with a cone shaped part and want to close it off you can't use a plug, because that is another cone shape. So cone to cone is like two male fittings, and you want one male and one female. The "cap," on the other hand, approximates the shape of the flared-tube-plus-nut. In other words, that is female.

Appliances typically have a cone (male) fitting as they come from the factory. So, Chinook used a flared tube plus flare nut (female) to connect. Hence if you want to remove the appliance and close off the flared tube plus nut, you need a male fitting. That would be a plug (male).

On the other hand, looking at the photograph I posted of the undercarriage, it looks like the main line is a cone shape (male) and the branch leading to the furnace is a flared pipe plus nut (female). Thus if you remove that branch, you have to close off a male fitting (cone), and you do that with a cap (female). The cap takes the place of the flared tube plus flare nut.

If you trade with Amazon, they have it all (or local hardware store).

[Kirah]

Makes perfect sense. Looking at the pictures side-by-side, I can see it. I probably would have realized it if I'd handled them in person, but see "HD is a mess", above /sigh

Amazon gets all my money

[BobW9]

I believe they are 45º, but if I think of it I can look at the flaring tool I have (which does make the right flare). Hmm, maybe I can look up my receipt since the tool is not here in front of me. Will check.

Okay, yep, produces "45º SAE flares." I thought so but wanted to check.

Thanks!
Bob