I have several of these around.
There is one with the replacement CPU kit in it, which I didn't do, but didn't notice that the display isn't real time any more. I thought it would be even more so. It does add quite a bit of functionality. Since these don't get as hot as the ID-5001 does, I doubt any serious damage to the wiring harness from age alone.
How are the electrolytics holding up after that long?
Another rarity, I'm pretty sure I have one in an unassembled state. I was going to have it as a winter project to do with my son, and have him learn to solder better and enjoy one of the last of the kits that I'd not assembled yet.
My question is, I believe the ceramic and tantalum capacitors are unaffected by age, but one cannot say the same for electrolytics.
If I do get the box down and go through it and decide to embark on assembly, should I just gather the replacement value electrolytics and put them in the power supply and whereever else they appear, or is there some way to test the ones to see if they are still good and take the chance of having to trouble shoot in a few years.
As noted this is something that stays on all the time, and puts them at a disadvantage.
PS, this is indeed a beast. I have some ID-5001s around, too, but they all have some problem with them. I think they overdesigned them with an attempt at a fancy dimmer circuit for the back light and a few other things mostly related to that gorgeous display. I have a friend who has lost function after function (mainly the humidity sensor including the revised one that they kitted a few years after the kits came out) but keeps it on in his living room just as a tv/night light and clock.
Dale