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Tech Tip #1: Relays vs. Resistors
*1:30 note: Resistors are sold separately and not automatically included with LED products.
So you’ve been shopping for LED turn signals or an integrated tail light and have noticed references to an “LED Flasher Relay” and “Resistors”. Or perhaps your bikes’ blinkers are flashing really fast and you’re looking for solutions and came across those two options. Ever wonder what the difference is between the resistors and a relay? We get this question a lot, and now you’ll have the answer.
Here’s the rundown. Most of todays’ sportbikes come with incandescent bulbs for their turn signals. As we’ve all experienced, incandescent bulbs will burn out over time. In order to alert the rider of a blown bulb, the OEM relay will force the bike’s signaling circuit to flash quickly – something we call “hyperflash” (for more info on how a relay works, see this Wikipedia article). There are even some bikes where the turn signal will stay on constantly.
This alert system causes a problem when you want to go with LED turn signals, which are found in our integrated taillights1, pod signals2, and front flushmount signals3. Why do LEDs cause a problem? It’s because they draw very little electrical current when they come on. In fact, it’s close enough to zero current that a bike’s OEM relay can’t distinguish the difference between a functioning LED and a burnt-out incandescent bulb, so it goes into hyperflash mode.
1the turn signals are built into an integrated tail light, hence the word “integrated”
2pod signals are aftermarket blinkers that can go on a stock or aftermarket fender/license plate bracket
3we use LEDs in all of our flushmounts, including the TST exclusive HALO-1 lineup
Now that we understand the cause of hyperflash, we can talk about the 2 different ways you could fix it.
Number 1 would be to increase the amount of current the OEM relay sees when the LED signal lights up – an increase that would bring the circuit close to stock levels. That’s where resistors come in.
Number 2 would be to remove the OEM relay and replace it with one that flashes correctly even with LEDs. That’s where, well, the TST Industries relay comes in.
Let’s go more in-depth.
First up is the resistor solution. They get wired into the signaling circuit via a parallel connection, one resistor per LED signal. Without getting too technical, this simply means that the circuit experiences some additional current through the resistors when the LED signal comes on. So there you have it. Install one of these resistors into the circuit near your LED signal and you will increase the amount of current the OEM relay sees when the LED signal lights up (solution number 1). LED signal current + resistor current = incandescent bulb current. A special note to make here: you will (generally) have to wire in one resistor for each incandescent bulb you’re replacing. If you’re changing your front and rear signals (for example, installing flushmounts in the front and an integrated tail light in the rear), you’d most likely need to install 4 resistors in total.
Resistors are sold on our website under the “Universal” category. Although these are a viable solution, please keep in mind that they produce a lot of heat and should be kept away from any plastic panels. Because of this and often times difficult installation, we highly recommend going with an LED Flasher Relay.
Which brings us to solution number 2: replacing the OEM relay with one that flashes correctly even with LEDs installed. Well, not much to say here other than that’s exactly what the lineup of TST Industries Flasher Relays do! You simply take out the OEM one, plug ours in, and you’re good to go; hence the “plug and play” installation. This setup works for just about every case out there (unless you do something really weird with your turn signals). Not to mention, our relays even allow you to adjust the rate of your flash. Want it a little slower than stock? No problem. Want it just a smidge faster? You got it. All you have to do is turn a dial inside. And to make these even easier, we try to produce LED Flasher Relay installation videos for almost all of the bikes that come into our shop, which you can find on our YouTube channel. You also only need one LED Flasher Relay per bike, so unlike Resistors that could require up to 4 resistors if you were changing the front and rear turns signals to LED, the LED Flasher Relay method only requires one, and works with a total LED signal swap or a mix of LED and incandescent bulbs.
We have a few different relays that we manufacture due to the difference in style of OEM relay plugs. Our common ones are RLYG2 with a red female cap and RLYG2F with male plugs and a blue cap. Just navigate to your specific bike category on our website and order the relay that shows up in the product list. You’ll be all set.
Similarities and Differences Between Resistors and a Relay
| Feature/Spec | Resistors | Relay |
| How it works | Increases the amount of current in the signalling circuit to make it look like the LED signal is actually an incandescent bulb to an OEM relay, keeping the OEM relay out of alert mode | Replaces OEM relay entirely. Cures hyperflash by not going into alert mode with the low current of LEDs |
| Automatically included with most tail lights and some LED products? | Yes | No |
| Cost | Under $5 | Under $20 |
| Installation | Always wired in the same way. Time depends on comfort level with circuits and wiring. Keep in mind that resistors produce a lot of heat, so precations need to be taken during install to shield the surrounding components from excess amounts of heat. | Usually 5 minute plug and play deal, can vary from bike to bike |
| TST exclusive design? | No – common across the industry | Yes |
| What should I go with? | Go with resistors if you’re on a budget and are comfortable with wiring, or in the rare case that we don’t make a relay for your particular bike. | Add a relay to your order if you have the extra bucks to spend and are looking for a simple, one-and-done solution. |
Table of Various Signal Setups with Resistor and Relay Notes
| Turn Signal(s) Setup – (Front, Rear) | Number of Resistors Needed | Will replacing the OEM relay with one TST Industries relay work? |
| Totally stock. Incandescent bulbs in the front and rear. | 0 (duh..) | Yes |
| LED signals in the front/mirrors, incandescent in the rear | 2 (1 kit) | Yes |
| Incandescent in the front, integrated tail light in the rear (turn signals are a part of the tail light) | 2 (1 kit) | Yes |
| Incandescent in the front, LED signals in the rear (what we call LED Pod Signals) | 2 (1 kit) | Yes |
| LED signals in both the front and rear (could be an integrated tail light or LED pod signals in the rear) | 4 (2 kits) | Yes |
| Having enough turn signals mounted on your bike that you light up the night sky when you signal to turn left | You will probably ruin the stock relay anyway… | You would also probably ruin a TST Industries relay… |
Do I have to worry about resistors getting too hot?
Hi Charles. In general, you do not. The resistors are made of a ceramic material and can withstand decently high temperatures. That said, I’d recommend mounting them to a metal section of the bike (chassis or tail subframe is common) away from other wires and components if possible. On hot days, in a non-ventilated area, and if you accidentally leave the signals on for prolonged periods, you can find the resistors get way up there in temp. Have you experienced something that seems out of the ordinary?
I have your Integrated tail light as well as your fender eliminator kit along with the relay on my Ninja 300. I would like to add the OEM rear turn signals back on the bike and use that in conjunction with the integrated tail light.
Question 1: Will the TST relay work with the OEM front and OEM rear turn signals PLUS the TST integrated tail light? When I want to signal a left turn, I want all three lights to blink (front OEM turn signal, rear OEM turn signal and integrated tail light turn signal).
Question 2: Do you guys have an add-on bracket to attach the OEM turn signals to the license plate holder (fender eliminator)?
Hi Dennis –
(1) Yes, our relay will work with that combination of lights with zero issues. The only “problem” you may run into is splicing your OEM signals into your bikes plugs.
(2) Yes, our SKU: PSKMNT ($9.99) can be used to mount the OEM signals onto the bike. However, it is quite an involved process and you can see what needs to be done at the following link. Be sure to fast forward to 16:50 for the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vypjQnCrEgs
Do I have to install the resistors for the LED flush mount signals? Or can I leave them off and plug right into the OEM I have a 2017 fz6r?
Hi Nick! It’s quite tough to really tell if you will need a relay or resistors as every bike tends to have a slightly different reaction to LEDs being installed on the signals. However, I would highly recommend going with our LED Relay as it will work with all stock bulbs, all LEDs, or a mixture of both. It’s completely plug-and-play, fully adjustable, and will even correct and control both front AND rear signals.
I bought the integrated tail lights for my 2016 r6 after installing exactly with the video you guys provided on YouTube, when I turn on and then the fine is running the dashboard light stay on and I have installed the relay and everything is as they should be . I need some answers asap
Hi there – Shoot our Support Team an email with your order information and we will try our best to get you taken care of. [email protected]
Hi I bought your halo flush mount turn signals for my YZF-R3 and I’m having a problem now with the opposite turn signal flashing white while the corresponding side is working normally. I have LED switch back light strips installed inside my headlights that are wired to the same turn signal cable on the bike. Is there a solution for this issue?
Hi David – Our Support Team will be sending you an email shortly to assist you further!
After experimenting with four flasher/resistors the one that worked has a resistance exactly equal to the total resistance of the two bulbs. Is this an empirical rule ??
Hi Alan – The OEM flasher circuit has a target current draw it likes to see from the signals. There is a threshold value, and once you fall below that value it will flash fast, and some stay solid. If you are changing out one set of OEM signals then you are reducing the current draw on the signaling circuit by only the amount that one of those particular lamps draw. If you replace both front and rear then you are reducing the current draw by two. So if you are trying to get back above the threshold after changing front and rear signals then two resistors will be required in parallel having a value that draws approximately the difference between the OEM signals and OE signals.
Hi, I’m planning on putting aftermarket LED turn lights on the front and an integrated tail light as well on my 2016 Yamaha YZF-R6. will the TST Relay work? will it be the only thing I will need to add? Thank you
Our relay will absolutely work without issues!
Have 2001 Honda 650l and replaced the stock signals with cat eyes led. Using a K & S relay with three prongs and one of which is a ground lead I get nothing and returning the item. Not even a blink…Utube installation!!!
Would like to replace with one of yours which will plug in. The Honda has a single plastic two female L shape connector. The current stock relay just keeps the lights on with the cat eyes. Do you have one specifically for my bike.
Hi, i already have resistors installed but decided to change to a relay as my hazard lights don’t work with the resistors. I’ve installed the relay but haven’t removed the resistors. Everything works perfectly. Is it okay to leave the resistors AND relay installed or should i remove the resistors? Cheers
Do the resistors wire into the tst integrated tail light wiring or the factory OEM Wires on 2017 Yamaha Fz09
How do you replace an LED break light/turn signal bulb, if it goes out?
Replacing the light would probably be the best option but it solely depends on what type of LED it is and how it’s assembled.
Can I combine the rele with a resistor? I have just installed new blinkers on my Yamaha MT-07, which has a resistor on each wire (so 4 resistors). When I turn on the emergency lights it flashes once and then it stops. It takes a while before I can use my blinkers again. Do you guys know why?
Hi. I would suggest that you do not use the relay in combination with resistors. The resistors are a passive devidce that cause more current to be drawn from the signaling system through the relay. The relay should not be supplying more current to the system than the signals need to operate. If there is an issue with switchover from your emergency lights to signals then I would suggest that this be investigated separately. Does your signaling system work properly? Do you get signals within a second of initiating the signal switch? If so then ask yourself if there is ever a situation in which you use emergency lights back to back with signals. If during operating the bike you do not run ito that situation then maybe this can be considered a moot point.
I have a 2013 Yamaha V-Star 1300. I purchased led front signal lights ,and when I can find the led that fit the rear signals, will your TST relay fit the OEM part; will it work?
Thank you!
Los señalizadores funciona con el parking ?.
Para mi CRF 250 L año 2020 que señalizadores recomiendas, la utilizo para ciudad y campo ?.
I built my own street legal kit/harness for my side by side. I mounted amber strip LED lights for my turn lights. Will your flasher relay make my lights flash without adding resistors?
Thanks
I’m thinking of ordering the integrated tail light and fender eliminator kit as well as the flushmount turn signals.
I have two questions
1) for the tail light kit do I need the Flasher relay and the OEM or just one or the other
2) will I need another relay for the flushmount turn signals as well or will the relay from the tail light kit cover it
Thanks, I just don’t want hyper flashing any recommendations to solve that would be greatly appreciated
1) You’ll just need the LED flasher relay for the LED Integrated Tail Light to work properly.
2) You only need one LED flasher relay per bike, so once you install it in place of the OEM relay you’ll be all set for front and rear LED signals.
Hi. Im planning on getting the built in tail light for my 2024 zx6r, but its allready led on that bike so i wont be needing the relay? Am i right?
You will still need a relay as the current draw is different compared to the stock lighting equipment.