J-M-L,
I would like to think after 4 decades in the engineering (Test, QA, Electrical, Data Architecture......), I would have picked up and retained more but since I retired 8 years ago the cobwebs keep growing out of control and every once in a while I need someone, like yourself, to swing a well placed broom at them and clear them out.
Of course never one to sit on my butt this has been a distraction from my musical composition endeavors and recently acquired volunteer activities as a movie critic.
As far as one long strip; not doable. Right now I have a strip of 240 LEDs around the lower rim of the ship. 120 LEDs around the rim of the cockpit which at one time I had correctly mirroring the lower strip. 2 cannon tubes, each consisting of (4) 20 LED strips wrapped around a dowel, spiraling 180° along the length of the dowel. These are wrapped in opposite directions in front of the Grinch head. The cannons, head and hands all sit on a pivoting platform driven by a 12V hi-torque reduction motor. 4 engine tubes with one 20 LED strip in each one with blueish-white mylar garland over the LED strips. These hang out the back of the ship.
Around the inside of the cockpit i have a cheapo 12V LED strip with 60 LEDs that light up the Grinch head in hardwired Green. His eyes have (2) 12V LEDs hardwired Red in each. The bottom of the ship has strips of more cheapo LED strips that match the color pulsing in the engines. I am also going to try to get an .mp3 adapter for Arduino working so I can play sound clips from the Grinch movies.
The ship will be sitting on my Jeep Renegade. I participate in a 28 mile drive thru the local neighborhood streets with 400 or so other ATVs, Jeeps and other vehicles. You can find the Facebook page under Anthem Holiday Light Cruise if you're interested.
If nothing else I am ambitious and trying to keep my brain working in old age.
As I mentioned if I don't get booted off the forum I'll post some pictures of the finished ship.
Thanks again. Now back to the pivot driver......
Best,
Joe B