Introduction: Cheap Black & Decker 18Volt Battery

So if you're like me with several aging batteries for you cordless drill and to cheap to pay the full price for a replacement
Then check this out.
 I have several Black & Decker 18 volt batteries, part #244760-00, that were at least 5 years old and only 1 good one.  I decided to try and find a cheaper alternative to the 35-45 dollar new battery price. I just happened to be at Harbor Freight one day and noticed there line of 18 volt cordless power tools.  The battery they use is Drill Master part # 67029, and is only 10 dollars.  I decided to just buy one, since it was cheap and took it home to do a comparison with a B & D battery.  They batteries are very similar in size and the way it is wired. 

Step 1: Comparing the Batteries.


Step 2: Inside the Packs

Even though the Harbor Freight Battery was only 10 bucks the battery is only rated at 1300 mAhr, while the B&D battery is rated at 1500, so there is a little bit of a trade off.

Step 3: Making Changes

Even though both packs use the same connector, they are not arranged the same way so some adjustments will have to be made.  On the Harbor Freight battery wires there is a right angle bend on the bottom of the connection wire that needs to be removed, if not the positive and negative wires will touch during final assembly.

Step 4: Wiring the Connector

This step you will put the Harbor Freight wires into the B&D Connector.

Step 5: Install and Reassembly

This isn't an exact fit so on the final assembly you will have to be careful when you put the new pack in.  The top of the pack will be a very tight fit.

Step 6: Finishing Up

Before testing I like to Check Polarity of any battery work, as you can see it was 18.52 volts. The old battery was 11.5, bad.  You may also find that when charging the battery it may be a tight fit because of the additional wiring in the new battery pack.