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[tadge29]

Want to upgrade to an XPCR. Everything I've read states that it must be installed in an approved enclosure; I have not found one that will allow me to see the LEDs after installation! Any ideas would be appreciated.

[bkenobi]

I just upgraded my XPCR that I've been using for a few months.  I installed it in the main electrical panel (which is not per code, but...).  I've read that a 3 gang box will fit this just fine, but you are correct that it will not allow you to see the LED.  You have 2 options as I see it.

1) Install in a 3 gang, drill a hole in the cover, line up the box to the hole in the cover.
2) Disassemble the XPCR.  Mount the unit on the cover directly...somehow.

I'd opt for option 1 and use double sided tape to keep the XPCR in place.

If you are interested in buying mine at a discount, let me know (works fine, I just upgraded to XTB-IIR for other reasons).  The current price on ebay is $60, which is outrageous IMO.  Let me know.

[William8]

You could use a 3 gang box, and cut your own cover from clear plexiglass.

[bkenobi]

The only problem with that is whether plexi meets code.  If it's ok to use that, then that would make for a nice window.  Be aware that plexi can be tough to cut without shattering (both cutting to size and drilling holes).  Also, if you cut to fast, it can melt and muck up your tool as well as the immediate cut.

[tadge29]

Thanks for the replies, so far. I had thought that perhaps the LED strip (only) could be removed and mounted on the outside of the box, feeding its leads thru a hole ... (Currently, I have an XPCP which fits a single-gang switchbox fine; of course there's nothing to see!) Then, again, how often would one want to look at the lights?
If diagnosing a problem, one could remove the cover temporarily.
Tnx for the offer of the used XPCR; will give it some thought, if I decide to change. Missed an offer from an ebay vendor (currently "inactive"), who was "tied" to a larger X10 Co., for new ones @ $25. Everyone is in the $60. range, with one much higher!!
tadge29

[JeffVolp]

The current price on ebay is $60, which is outrageous IMO.

We have become accustom to cheap stuff imported from China, and expect that to be the norm.  X10 products were often sold for what it cost me to just buy an empty plastic case.  In fact one time I considered buying the XPPF just for the case.  Add a PCB, electronic components, and assembly labor, and I don't know how they could sell the products that cheaply.

Years ago the Maxi Controller cost $40, and that was when you could buy a new car for under $4000.  Gas was under 50 cents.  Our government has allowed the value of the dollar to continually fall, forcing prices and wages up.  But with almost everything produced in China today, the cost of many consumer products has remained the same or even decreased.  However, the cost of labor is rising in China, and it is becoming more expensive to manufacture products there.  So the era of cheap electronic products may be coming to a close.

While I don't recommend them, I have several Leviton 6201 repeaters available cheap.  But you get what you pay for.

Jeff

[bkenobi]

If you do go with the XPCR, moving the LED to the cover of the 3-gang box would be the easiest thing to do and would produce exactly the results you want.  The only down side to that would be that you'd violate the warranty, but I doubt that would matter since you surely won't be buying from X10 directly.

[Brian H]

If you decide to get the XPCR and move the LEDs.
Be very careful and insulate them well.
The XPCR uses a transformerless power line derived DC supply and the LEDs could technically be 120 volts above safety ground.

[bkenobi]

How could the LED be 120V?  If you put that kind of power into a LED, it would fail.  Are you saying that the LED leads need to be insulated to keep them from contacting anything inside the XPCR so that it does not cause a fire hazard (effectively a filament)?

[Brian H]

The LED are not run on 120 volts.

The typical X10 device has the power line directly connected to the logic power.
You get between the logic supply and a real safety ground and you will get the thrill of your life or be dead.

So if the LEDs where mounted externally. Touching one of its leads if not insulated well, could actually be 120 Volt AC above safety ground.
Though being powered by the XPCR's logic supply.

X10 isn't the only modules using such power supplies. My Insteon ApplianceLincs have the AC Line directly connected to the +30 and +5 volt power supplies internally.