User Guides - RGB Critter BT

To update the firmware, pair 1 RGB Critter BT to your app and go to the "Devices" page.

From this page, press the 3 white dots to the right of the device name and select "Update Firmware." Please follow the instructions to update your firmware. 

This video demonstrates how to check to see if you have the latest firmware version installed.

The RGB Critter BT comes within 20 preinstalled modes. You can access these modes or any exported playlist using the following button controls:

• Navigate Modes (go up): Press Arrow button 1x
• Navigate Modes (go down): Press Rocket button 1x
• Change mode speed: Hold Arrow button. 1 second hold = 20% speed change. The mode speed will not be remembered when you navigate away from it.
• Turn on: Press Power button 1x
• Turn off: Press Power button 1x, or hold Power button 1 second
• Lock/Unlock buttons: Hold Arrow and Power buttons at the same time.

20 Modes Included: The RGB Critter BT will have 20 of our favorite modes pre-installed.

Description

• Using this feature, you can export the first 20 modes of any playlist in the "My Playlists" section of the app.
• The first 20 modes of any playlist in the "My Playlists" section will be exported to your RGB Critter BT. This will replace the modes currently on your RGB Critter BT, and they cannot be replaced.
• This export will apply to all connected RGB Critter BT(s).

Instructions

1. Create a playlist in the "My Playlists" section of the app.
2. Connect your RGB Critter BT(s) to the app.
3. Press the 3 white dots to the right of your playlist.
4. Select the "Export To Critter" option.
5. Once exported, the RGB Critter BT will automatically disconnect from the app. You can then access this playlist independently of the app using the physical buttons on your RGB Critter BT.

The amount of time it takes your RGB Critter BT to charge depends on the capabilities of the charger.

With a charger of 1.5A or more, a full charge of a 2500mAh battery takes 3-3.5 hours, and a 3000mAh battery takes 3.5-4 hours.

*Please make sure that your charging cable is pushed all the way into the USB charging port on the RGB Critter BT.

Notes:

• Time to fully charge = Approximately 4 hours.
• You can find the battery charge level on the "Playlists" page of the app.

Button LED Charging Indicators:

• Charging = Orange
• Charged = White with short periods of the color Orange
• Battery not installed/incorrectly installed = LEDs off
• USB port does not supply enough power to charge the Critter BT = Blinking Red

*If your Button LEDs are blinking red, please try charging your RGB Critter BT using a USB port that supplies 1.5A or more to the charging cable.

Check the battery level on the app's Playlists page (see image below).

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You may notice that the battery charge level fluctuates on the app. This is not a bug or a defect. Here's why:

The charge level is determined by the battery's voltage; when using a bright light, such as white, the flashlight's consumption increases, and the voltage drops. When the load is removed, the voltage may rise back.

This is what is causing the change in the app's battery level.

To replace the battery:

1. Remove the Modular Cap from the back end of the RGB Critter BT by twisting it counter-clockwise.
2. Insert the provided aluminum Critter Key disc into the Battery Door on the back side of the RGB Critter BT and rotate it counter-clockwise.
3. Once the Battery Door has been removed, the battery will slide out.
4. To insert a new battery, make sure the positive side faces the front of the RGB Critter BT (the front is the side from which the light comes).
5. Re-install the Battery Door using the Critter Key.

Notes:

• Please ensure the Battery Door on the RGB Critter is fully latched after reinstalling.
• Only use AOAM-brand batteries with your RGB Critter BT.
• The RGB Critter BT should only be operated with the specific 18650 battery included in your order. Using any other battery will void all warranties and may damage your RGB Critter BT.

Troubleshooting:

• If you encounter any issues, rest assured that we've got you covered. Please see the troubleshooting section below titled "My Battery Won't Charge."

The RGB Critter BT has multiple options for locking the buttons:

1. When turned on, press the Arrow and Power buttons on the RGB Critter BT Flashlight at the same time. The LED will flash red for locked buttons and green for unlocked buttons.
2. The following lock button options can be found on the Universal Settings Page of the AOAM app: Lock Buttons, Lock Power Button (see image below).

*To save battery, turn off the RGB Critter BT by holding the Power button on the RGB Critter BT for 1 second (the on/off button on the physical flashlight).

Use any of the following options to turn off your RGB Critter BT.

1. Press the Power button on the "Playlists" page of the app (press not hold).

This will have the BT enter standby mode and the battery will continue to discharge at a fast rate. Standby mode allows the BT to continue communicating with the app.

2. Press the Power button on the RGB Critter BT (the on/off button on the physical flashlight).

This will have the BT enter standby mode and the battery will continue to discharge at a fast rate. Standby mode allows the BT to continue communicating with the app.

3. Toggle off your RGB Critter BT on the "Devices" page of the app.

This will have the BT enter standby mode and the battery will continue to discharge at a fast rate. Standby mode allows the BT to continue communicating with the app.

4. Hold the Power button on the RGB Critter BT (the on/off button on the physical flashlight).

This will have the BT enter deep sleep and the battery will not discharge at a fast rate.

If left within the RGB Critter BT, the 18650 battery will continue to discharge at a slow rate. If stored for more than 2-3 weeks, the battery should be removed from the RGB Critter BT and stored around the 50% charge level in a cool environment.

There are many ways to navigate modes within the app, but you can also navigate modes using the physical buttons on the RGB Critter BT. Here's how:

1. Connect RGB Critter BT to Ants on a Melon App.
2. Press the "play" icon on any playlist within the "Playlists" page of the app.
3. You can now navigate the modes in this playlist using the Arrow (up) and Rocket (down) buttons on the RGB Critter BT Flashlight.

Pro Tip: To prevent accidentally turning off your RGB Critter BT while navigating modes, open the "Universal Settings" section of the website and "toggle on" the "Lock Power Button" option.

You can access the Universal Settings section by pressing the green Rocket icon found on the "Playlists" page of the app.

The Ants on a Melon App's Universal Settings pop-up includes the following features:

• Autoplay
• Strobe (1-100%)
• Brightness (1-100%)
• Analog/PWM
• Button LEDs (on/off)
• Lock Power Button
• Lock Buttons
• Momentary Press

To access the Universal Settings pop-up, go to the "Playlists" page and click the green Rocket icon (see image below).

On the app, you can select from over 16 million different colors.

To select a color, go to the DIY page, select the "Solid Color" effect, and press the "+" button.

This will open 3 different color picker options for you to choose your desired color (see the attachment for pictures of the color pickers you will find in the app).

Quickly edit your modes by using the drag and drop feature on the DIY page of the Ants on a Melon App.

The RGB Critter BT Flashlight will instantly display the changes you make.

Follow these instructions to create a group of RGB Critter BTs on the Ants on a Melon App:

1. Connect 2 or more RGB Critter BTs to the app on the "Devices" page.
2. Go to the "Group" section of the "Devices" page.
3. Press "Create Group" button.
4. Select the RGB Critter BTs you would like to have in your group.
5. Save and name the group.

Important: When you toggle on the group, you need to make sure that all of the RGB Critter BTs are turned on.

When your RGB Critter BTs are successfully paired into a group, their LEDs will change to the color white.

Additional Information:

• The AOAM app doesn't allow for separate control of multiple connected RGB Critter BTs.
• All connected RGB Critter BTs will show the same colors and color patterns at the same time.

The following notice is posted on all product pages that include the RGB Critter BT Flashlight:

Multiple connected RGB Critter BTs may not perfectly match color-changing modes, but solid colors will always match. We expect a resolution for this issue in early 2025. Once we release firmware that includes a fix for this issue, you can update your RGB Critter BT using the app.

There is no need for cell service or Wi-Fi when using the RGB Critter BT.

Wirelessly control your RGB Critter BT with the Ants on a Melon App using Bluetooth!

Connect up to 10 devices within a 20-meter (66-ft) range and enjoy uninterrupted control without the need for Wi-Fi or cell service.

Make sure to always keep your phone and the RGB Critter BT within sight of each other, as the Bluetooth signal may have difficulty passing through large objects.

If the RGB Critter BT shows the color red, this means it is not connected to the app. This also means you have an older firmware version installed on your RGB Critter BT. Here are the pairing instructions and instructions on updating your firmware (from the User Guide page here).

Pairing Instructions

1. If the RGB Critter BT is not connected to the app and you have an older firmware version installed, your RGB Critter BT is not connected to the app.
   
2. Hold the Rocket button on your RGB Critter BT for 3 seconds to pair the RGB Critter BT to the app. The LED will start pulsing green.
   
3. The LED will start pulsing blue once you select your RGB Critter BT on the app.
   
4. Toggle on your RGB Critter BT in the app to connect it, and the LED will start showing the rainbow colors.
   

Disconnect From App Instructions

To disconnect your RGB Critter BT from the app, hold the Power button on your RGB Critter BT for 3 seconds. You can now use the RGB Critter BT without being connected to the app.


Firmware Update Instructions

Hold the Power button on your RGB Critter BT for 3 seconds to disconnect your RGB Critter BT from the app. You can now use the RGB Critter BT without being connected to the app.


Firmware Update Instructions

Once paired, please make sure to install the latest firmware update. This video demonstrates how to install the newest update. 

You can find the latest instructions for using the BT with the firmware update on the User Guide page here.

If this happens, please hold the Rocket button on the RGB Critter BT until the LED starts pulsing green. Once the LED starts pulsing green, try and connect it to the app once more.

You likely encountered a bug that we aren't aware of or are working to fix.

Bugs can result from any series of events and can be challenging to find.

If you don't know the information listed below and encounter a bug, you can reset your RGB Critter BT by removing/reinserting the battery and restarting your phone, just like you would restart your computer when it freezes.

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Factors include:

• What Mode is being played
• What Settings are being used
• Actions taken within the app (specific series of actions)
• Phone Model-Phone Software
• Other devices connected to the phone
• Other apps opened on the phone

This is the information we need in order to track down a bug. Please fill out this form if you encounter a bug and can list the information above.

If you're having trouble connecting you RGB Critter BT to the Ants on a Melon App, try the following steps:

1. On the "Devices" page of the app, use the 3 white dots to the right of your RGB Critter BT's name, and delete your RGB Critter BT from the app.

2. Go to the Bluetooth settings in your phone and "forget" your RGB Critter BT.

3. Once you have completed the steps above, try and reconnect your RGB Critter BT to the app by holding the Rocket button on your RGB Critter BT and selecting the device within the "Devices" page of the app.

*If none of these steps work, try removing/reinstalling the battery within your RGB Critter BT and restarting your phone/device.

Important: Only use the USB charging cable supplied with your order to charge your RGB Critter Flashlight. Use of any other charging cable may cause damage to your RGB Critter.

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1. When charging the RGB Critter, are you making sure that the Battery Door is fully latched when charging? The Battery Door must be fully latched prior to charging the battery.

2. Check to make sure the battery is facing the correct direction. The positive side should be facing the front of the flashlight.

3. Try using a different power source to charge your Critter (make sure to use the USB charging cable provided with your order).

IMPORTANT: If your USB charging port is not working:

A possible reason is that this particular USB wall port adapter has a USB PD (Power Delivery) protocol. The presence of this protocol does not allow us to identify a device that does not have the same protocol and therefore the flashlight does not charge. If there is an issue with your USB wall port adapter the buttons on your RGB Critter BT will blink red.

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If the troubleshooting steps above did not solve your problem, please do the following:

1. Check to see if your Critter powers on when plugged into a power source. If it does not turn on, please repeat step 4 above.

If your Critter does not turn on when plugged into a power source, please send us a video showing this issue to support@antsonamelon.com

2. If your Critter turns on when plugged into a power source and you have already followed the steps above, your Battery Door might be broken (please see the section titled "RGB Critter will only turn on when plugged into a power source").

Battery Discharge Notice

To save battery, turn off the RGB Critter BT by holding the Power button on the RGB Critter BT for 1 second.

If left within the RGB Critter BT, the 18650 battery will continue to discharge at a slow rate. If stored for more than 2-3 weeks, the battery should be removed from the RGB Critter BT and stored around the 50% charge level in a cool environment.

For more information on battery handling tips and battery safety, head to: https://antsonamelon.com/pages/battery-safety

The following notice is linked to on all product pages that include the RGB Critter BT Flashlight:

Multiple Connected Devices Issue Notice

The Ants on a Melon App enables users to connect up to 10 RGB Critter BT Flashlights simultaneously. However, it is important to note that there is a known issue with color-changing modes when multiple Critter BTs are connected to the app. The colors may not always match perfectly on the connected flashlights. This issue only applies to color-changing modes, as solid colors will always match on any number of connected RGB Critter BTs. A resolution for this known issue is expected by the end of 2024. Once the issue is resolved, you can update your RGB Critter BT using the app.

This is not a bug or defect. Here's why:

The charge level is determined by the battery's voltage; when using a bright light, such as white, the flashlight's consumption increases, and the voltage drops. When the load is removed, the voltage may rise back.

This is what is causing the change in battery level on the app.