Sondă GT17M-THF 0° - traversantă CHIRP frecvență medie

The Garmin GT17M-THF 0° transducer is designed with a stainless steel housing and is compatible with a wide range of hull materials. It can be installed on fiberglass, wood, composite, aluminum, and steel hulls. For aluminum or steel hulls, it is critical to use the included galvanic isolation components to prevent corrosion and potential water ingress.

The deadrise angle is the measurement of the angle between a horizontal line and the outer hull at a given point. For optimal performance of the depth sounder, it is essential that the angle of the transducer matches the deadrise angle as closely as possible at the installation location.

The Garmin GT17M-THF 0-degree transducer is specifically optimized for hulls with a deadrise angle of 0 to 5 degrees. Garmin offers other GT17M-THF models with 12- or 20-degree angles to suit hulls with different deadrise angles. It is recommended to check your hull's deadrise angle before drilling holes.

When installing the GT17M-THF transducer on an aluminum or steel hull, it is mandatory to use the included galvanic isolation components. Failure to do so will result in galvanic corrosion, which could cause water ingress around the transducer and damage the hull. These components are designed to electrically isolate the transducer from the metal hull, preventing the electrochemical reaction.

For installing the Garmin GT17M-THF transducer, you will need the following tools:

A drillA 3 mm (1/8 in) drill bitAn adjustable wrench suitable for nuts up to 108 mm (4 1/4 in)A 4.5 mm (3/16 in) Allen keyMarine sealant (flexible, fast-curing, for below the waterline)Mild household detergent or rubbing alcoholSandpaperMasking tapeWaterproof electrical tapeA 98 mm (3 7/8 in) hole saw for fiberglass hulls (solid or cored)A 101 mm (4 in) hole saw for metal hullsGrommets and water-based antifouling paint may also be required depending on the installation.

For optimal performance, the transducer must be installed in an area of clean, non-turbulent water. Here are some general considerations:

General location: The transducer should be mounted forward and close to the engine (for outboards/sterndrives) or away from the propeller and propeller shaft (for inboards). Avoid obstacles: Do not install it behind stringers, struts, fittings, water intake or discharge ports, or anything that could create air bubbles or cause turbulent water.Alignment: Mount the transducer parallel to the bow-stern axis of your vessel.Specific hulls: For stepped hulls, install it forward of the first step. For full-keel hulls, mount it slightly angled toward the bow, parallel to the centerline. For fin-keel hulls, install it 25–75 cm ahead of the keel and no more than 10 cm to the side of the centerline.Propellers: On single-screw vessels, do not mount the transducer in the propeller wash. On twin-screw vessels, install it between the propellers if possible.

Yes, it is mandatory to update the software on your Garmin chartplotter when you install this depth sounder. This ensures compatibility and correct operation between the depth sounder and your Garmin device. You can find the update instructions in your chartplotter’s user manual.

Preparing a fiberglass hull with a core is crucial to prevent water ingress. Here are the steps:

Drill a 3 mm (1/8 in) pilot hole from the outside of the hull. Apply masking tape around the pilot hole on the outside to reduce gelcoat cracking. Use a 98 mm (3 7/8 in) hole saw to cut the transducer hole through the entire hull from the outside. From the inside of the hull, use a slightly larger hole saw to cut only the inner fiberglass skin and core, ensuring the outer skin is not cut. Seal the core inside the hull using fiberglass resin or casting epoxy resin. For epoxy, use a 98 mm waxed cylinder as a spacer during curing. Once cured, sand and clean the inside and around the hole. Incorrect core sealing can lead to serious damage to the boat.

To ensure the longevity and performance of your Garmin GT17M-THF transducer, follow these maintenance guidelines:

Leak check: After launching your boat, always check for leaks around the screw holes or the transducer itself.Operation: The transducer must always be submerged in water to function properly. Using it out of water can damage it due to overheating.Cleaning: Never use solvents such as mineral spirits, acetone, MEK or similar products to clean the transducer surface. Do not use an electric sander or a pressure washer either.Anti-fouling paint: If needed, you can apply water-based anti-fouling paint to the transducer to prevent corrosion and fouling. Do not use other types of paint.

The Garmin GT17M-THF transducer features a stainless steel housing, providing high durability and optimal resistance to demanding marine environments.

The mounting hole dimensions depend on your hull material:

For a solid fiberglass hull or a fiberglass hull with a core, a 98 mm (3 7/8 in) hole is required. For a metal hull (aluminum or steel), a 101 mm (4 in) hole is required. These dimensions are critical for correct installation.

Yes, it is possible to apply a water-based antifouling paint to the depth sounder to prevent corrosion and marine organism accumulation. It is important to use only water-based antifouling paint and avoid solvents.

The Garmin GT17M-THF transducer is designed to be installed on a wide range of hull materials, including fiberglass, wood, composite, aluminum, and steel.

The Garmin GT17M-THF 0-degree transducer is optimized for hulls with a deadrise angle between 0 and 5 degrees. For different deadrise angles, Garmin offers other GT17M-THF models with 12- or 20-degree angles, allowing precise adaptation to each vessel's geometry.

Yes, when installing the GT17M-THF transducer on an aluminum or steel hull, it is mandatory to use the included galvanic isolation components. This feature is critical to prevent galvanic corrosion, which could lead to water ingress around the transducer and damage the hull.

Yes, to ensure the best possible performance and avoid any risk of injury, damage to the device or the vessel, installation by a qualified marine installer is strongly recommended.

To avoid permanently damaging the transducer’s surface, do not use solvents such as white spirit, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), or similar products. Avoid using an electric sander or a pressure washer for cleaning.

It is important not to mount the transducer behind frames, struts, fittings, water inlet or outlet openings, or any element likely to create air bubbles or cause turbulent water flow. The transducer must be in clean, non-turbulent water for optimal performance. Also avoid installing it near the engine or in the engine room to prevent interference with the sonar signal and risk of overheating.

After physically installing the transducer, it is crucial to update the Garmin chartplotter's software. Detailed instructions for the update are available in your chartplotter's user manual. Additionally, once the boat is in the water, it is recommended to check for any leaks around the transducer before leaving the boat submerged for an extended period.

Yes, it is essential to apply marine sealant along the water path to ensure a perfect seal between the transducer and the hull. This includes applying a 4 mm (1/8 in) layer of sealant on the internal flange of the transducer and a layer around the transducer housing where it will contact the sides of the hole in the hull.

For installing the GT17M-THF transducer, you will need the following tools:

A drill with a 3 mm (1/8 in) bitA hole saw of 98 mm (3 7/8 in) for fiberglass hulls or 101 mm (4 in) for metal hullsAn adjustable wrench suitable for nuts up to 108 mm (4 1/4 in)A 4.5 mm (3/16 in) Allen wrenchMarine sealant (flexible, quick-curing type, for below the waterline)Mild detergent or rubbing alcohol, sandpaper, masking tape, waterproof electrical tape (optional)Eyelets (optional) and water-based antifouling paint (optional)