Edit: Looked at the pictures again, and realized that there was a resistor there as well.
The really odd thing about this part is that there is only one on the anode/cathode. The resistor value is based on the voltage of the LED element. Green and Blue are usually close enough to use the same resistor value, but Red is pretty much always higher in value (i.e. they are lower voltage).
And given that there is only one resistor, I'm not even sure how that is expected to work properly. Resistors limit current, and the current required on the common connection will depend on how many of the LED elements are actually active at the time. I.e. supposing that each element can handle 20ma, the load will vary between 20 and 60ma. If the overall current is limited to 20ma, there wouldn't be enough current delivered to light each of them fully when all elements are active. If limited to something higher, and only one element was active, then that element would be getting more current than it should, and likely cause damage.
I might be missing something, but they don't seem right.
So far Randy is the only one to get back to me or try to help in any way. Kudos to you Randy for your customer service so far. I hope we can find a way to make the Howler work properly with your RGB buttons.
If the Howler has current limiting resistors (rather than the CC drivers) on board for 17ma, then I think I can help. I have RGB-Drive II units sans resistors, which I would feel comfortable offering for use with that arrangement. Drop me another email to discuss.