Erasing EPROMs

[EBM_dude]

I have a few Eproms here I need to get erased to fill them with new data. I don't have an eraser, though. You'll probably have noticed by now, I'm a cheap guy. So the sun is currently roasting like 10-12 hours a day. Can I just put the little fellas outside in the sun to get them erased?

[marce]

Try a high speed tanning booth, you can top up the tan and erase the Eproms at the same time.

[EBM_dude]

I just took a look at some datasheets. For erasing, Eproms need light with a wavelength of about or lower than 253 nm. This is rather hard UV light neither present in tanning boothes nor that much in the sunlight thanks to our ozone layer. I should try the mercury vapor lamps we have at work. Even our frequency multiplied Nd:YAG is only able to produce 266 nm. >_<

[kevinkr]

Might try to find a cheap used, but working eraser on eBay.

[djQUAN]

go to your nearest hospital and ask if you could use one of their UV sterilizing devices. I have seen some with four 40watt tubes vertically mounted 360degree array to sterilize entire rooms. (might not be a good idea to stay in the room while erasing :P ) or something that looks like an industrial dish washer with UV germicidal lamps inside and stick the eprom in there.