If your X-10 V3 is on all the time, it will probably after a year and a few months be worthless. The good news is that these Tube Buffers are still available for around $250 or so.
I have an extra one. The bad news is, as I mentioned, the actual tube used, is from a finite group of 50,000 left, after that, there is no more. So the tube itself, can not be replaced. Once its connected (blue light is on), its on, whether you play music or not. You really have no idea how many hours are left on the ones sold by people on AUdiogon- they might say little use but if they were still powered on, they're being used. I basically use mine about 4-6 hours a day and then disconnect. I turn it on, with the volume of my receiver not really on because if the volume is on, it may initially make a sound.