> Rob,
> Could you give me the name of a lamp supply company and/or a make/model for
> the tube. All I've been able to find is a fluorescent tube with a UV
> coating, which isn't suitable.Even though Jaycar has eprom erasers on
> special this month,they are still over $100.
> Regards,
> John.

Hello John

I can't give a a name, except to tell you that a I made a home eraser
uring a "germicidal" bulb. These are shortwave UV flourescent bulbes
used in hospitals to disinfect utensils etc. The bulb erases a
PIC16C71 in 1-2 mins, a PIC17C44 in ~15 mins.  If memory serves be
correctly the bulb is of the "G8T5" type - 5 Watts, but I don't know
what the G8 stands for.

I have seen the same bulb specified as a replacement for a commercial
eraser (check your RS catalogue).  Of course if you don't have a
desklamp or something to plug the bulb into you will have to buy
fittings, a ballast and a starter as well. I did this (thus built my
eraser from scratch... cost: R100=$17 more or less). Any more questions are welc
ome.

Hope that helps
  Roland