Do All Motorcycle LED Turn Signals Require a Flasher Relay?

When upgrading to LED turn signals on your motorcycle, one of the questions that often arises is whether you need a flasher relay. The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. In this article, we'll break down the situation and explore the reasons why a flasher relay might be needed, the different types of relays available, and how to ensure your LED turn signals operate properly.

Why a Flasher Relay Might Be Needed

Traditional motorcycles and cars with incandescent bulbs use flasher relays to control the blinking rate of the turn signals. When you switch to LED turn signals, the situation changes due to the difference in load requirements between incandescent and LED bulbs.

Load Requirements

Traditional incandescent turn signals draw more current than LED signals. This higher current requirement means that the stock flasher relay may not function correctly with LED signals. Specifically, the stock relay might operate incorrectly, often resulting in a rapid blinking rate due to its inability to handle the lower load of the LEDs.

Flasher Relay Types

Electromechanical Relays

Electromechanical relays rely on current flow to heat a bimetallic strip, causing it to open and close the circuit. However, these relays require a certain amount of load to function properly. Since LEDs typically do not provide the necessary load, they might not operate as intended.

Electronic Relays

Electronic relays, on the other hand, are designed to handle lower loads. They can often work without issues with LED signals, making them a suitable solution for LED turn signals.

Solutions for Proper Operation

To ensure your LED turn signals function correctly, you have several options:

Install an LED-Compatible Flasher Relay

This is often the easiest solution. LED-compatible flasher relays are specifically designed to work with the lower current draw of LED lights, ensuring they function properly.

Add Load Resistors

If you want to keep your existing relay, you can add load resistors in parallel with the LED signals. This increases the load on the circuit, allowing the stock relay to function correctly. However, keep in mind that adding resistors will slightly reduce the brightness of your LED turn signals.

Use a Combination

Some setups use both an LED relay and resistors for optimal performance and compatibility. This combination can ensure that the flasher relay works correctly while also maintaining the brightness of the LED turn signals.

Additional Considerations

For motorcycles, cars, and light trucks with incandescent bulbs in the turn signals, there is a burned-out bulb detection circuit as part of the flasher. If a bulb burns out, the flashing runs at a higher speed as a safety measure. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs can confuse this detector, causing it to malfunction.

When using LEDs, you have a few solutions:

Fool the Detector with Resistors

One option is to add a resistor across the LED to fool the detector by drawing more current. This allows the flasher relay to function as intended.

Replace the Flasher Relay

Another solution is to replace the flasher relay with a type that does not have the detection feature. This ensures that the relay operates correctly without being affected by the lower current draw of LEDs.

Let It Blink Crazy Fast

As a last resort, you can let the LEDs blink at a high frequency. However, this option may look visually distracting and is generally not recommended for safety reasons.

Conclusion

If you are switching to LED turn signals on your motorcycle, it is highly likely that you will need to consider either a new flasher relay or load resistors to ensure proper operation. Always check the specifications of your motorcycle and the LED turn signals for compatibility. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure the safe and reliable operation of your motorcycle's lighting.