Black and Decker DustBuster 15.6V Battery Pack Replacement

Written By: Jordon Borges
  • Comments: 32
Black and Decker DustBuster 15.6V Battery Pack Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

6

Time Required

10 minutes

Introduction

Overtime the battery pack located in your vacuum will hold less charge and might not charge at all. This can be remedied by replacing the battery pack.

  1. jSFVRPg4uqjcpgC2
    jSFVRPg4uqjcpgC2
    uJPWMV4n6J2cV6E1

    • Remove the six exterior 2 mm Phillips #0 screws securing the 2 halves of the white shell together.

  2. AxCIZaYhsBDPxC5n
    AxCIZaYhsBDPxC5n
    l1gXUBxT5Af45iGv

    • Remove nozzle by pressing two blue buttons on the side of the nozzle

  3. brndsdeRGUURNaM2
    brndsdeRGUURNaM2
    yLXWsTZLb2RKgZDK

    • Remove the dustbin by pressing the blue button on the vacuum's handle and lift the bin from the vacuum.

  4. KFxkVd2fNNQymYr3
    KFxkVd2fNNQymYr3
    CseJvHsVc6T1IpJ6
    AmGRGuqvgXq2eqBy

    • Gently separate the two halves by pulling them apart, revealing the 14 cell battery pack behind the motor.

  5. KWgO4AME4XKRKhgZ
    KWgO4AME4XKRKhgZ
    vvRuhIKnWhDPZKH4

    • Removal of the battery pack is a tool-less process, lift the battery pack out of the vacuum gently, notice there are two wires connected to the battery.

  6. cQE3m3ZZ21k2kaBQ
    cQE3m3ZZ21k2kaBQ
    GZ5RGT5uRusDR4A5

    • Disconnect the red wire from the battery pack (pull do not twist!) and do the same with the black wire

    This is removing the battery pack, not replacing the battery pack. That would be the interesting part.

    abrown -

    Okay then:

    Step 7: connect replacement battery pack to the battery terminals, taking note of polarity.

    Warning: if battery terminals are accidentally connected incorrectly in reverse polarity (i.e. black to red and vice versa) damage to the battery and device, and user injury may occur.

    Step 8: Reassemble device by following disassembly instructions in reverse order.

    Hope this helps.

    danger -

    Seems like a pointless excercise, as the original batteries are no good.

    I have had two 15.6 DBs, including a warranty replacement, and maybe got 5 uses out of them before the batteries failed.

    There are tips on replacing with NmH batteries on line, or get a new one with Lithium ion batteries.

    Peter Lech -

    I will second that. NmH batteries and maybe the charger are the problem, so it is pointless to thro more batteries in there.

    Peter Lech -

    Hi Peter, thank you for the above comments. Do you have any idea where to buy a NmH replacement battery ?

    Jeremy Green -

    Where ww can buy the battery pack with the same specification.

    loewy41 -

    1. For the disassembly methodology, it would be better to remove the normally removable components first before removing the screws holding the motor/battery case together.

    2. The link provided for battery replacement is no longer valid. Since online retailer merchandise web pages change frequently and therefore links soon go out of date, it’s best to search for a battery replacement at the time needed rather than provide a specific link. Be sure to search for your exact vacuum model number since the installed charger has to be compatible with the battery type.

    Intercoaster -

    1. Despite understandable reservations as to quality, eBay often has a good selection of replacement batteries. Preferred sellers are US -based as opposed to offshore and those that allow returns. Specification is crucial: type, (e.g., NiCd, Li-on), voltage, dimensions (new battery must obviously fit into vacuum case), battery terminals (type must be compatible with existing wiring - check against seller’s provided photo). If in doubt, send seller a question via eBay.

    2. Check manufacturer recommendations for charging. Leaving a device permanently on charge when not in use may not necessarily be the best method for optimum battery life.

    Intercoaster -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Jordon Borges

Member since: 06/03/17

1053 Reputation

24 comments

I am having trouble finding replacement battery pack for purchase. Any suggestions?

jjragin -

Replace the ni-cad pack with a li-ion one. 4 each 18650 cells will give you 14.8vdc. If you use/buy a computer battery you’ll have enough cells for 2 repairs. Get the highest capacity cells you can, i.e. 2.6ahr or higher. Solder them all in series, charge it up and listen to it SCREEM. Works for me. (Reason for computer battery is the quality of the cells and they have tabs to solder to) mikey

Mike -

There is a resistor there so the higher voltage will cause the resistor to melt. Did you receive your EE tech degree at an ITT school?

wer werwerwer -

Was it a resister or a fuse? Just asking. Some small appliances have a safety fuse that resembles a resister.

herring -

Whatever the componentry there is always a reasonable overvoltage margin. Mikes post should be fine.

Lawrence Hughes -

I would be worried more about the charging aspect. It looks like a simple voltage divider circuit and a NPN transistor in the area of the charging connector. My guess is that it is comparing the pack voltage to supply voltage and gate opens to charge batteries. VERY rudimentary design, and I am an EE. I thought about trying to upgrade this to Li-ION or LiPO, but decided to toss it instead. LiPO are also fire prone while charging. In a perfect world, all these consumer handheld devices would use a common removable battery pack so we could get prices down further due to economy of scale.

dohabandit -

FYI, if you use 4 Li-Ion 18650 batteries, the total voltage would be 14.8V. But the charger comes with the vacuum is 24V DC 210 mA. I am not sure if the charging voltage is too high for the battery.

Pshadow Chien -

The link for the battery is for an external charging pack on Amazon and I don’t have the tools (or experience) to do what Mike advised above. Is there by chance another way?

Anthony Nelson -

Gently separate—are you kidding. Impossible to pry the thing apart!

bill marsano -

Thanks from this 80yo phd..your demo is the bomb…figuratively

Mark G -

I bought a 4 socket 18650 batt holder off EBAY, 4 -18650 rechargeable 3.7V batts off EBAY. The holder plus batts fit perfectly in the space previously occupied by the NICAD pack and I’m back in business easy!

PS, 4-18650 batts equal 14.8 volts and the NICAD pack was 15.6 volts. Mike’s “upgrade” will work perfectly well and within spec all day long.

Ed Weldon -

There looks to be a circuit board attached to the battery. NOT like the picture.

Lewis Bilker -

Yeah there's a PC board soldered in. Help?!

Eric Levin -

You amazon link for the battery now points to an iphone headset adapter.

kkw -

Link to Amazon for purchase of said battery pack takes you to a headphone jack!! Where can one get the replacement? Or pitch another POS in the landfill. Such a shame.

toothpickerno1 -

I don’t believe the charging circuit will be good for the Li-ion batteries. It’s designed for NiCads and will eventually destroy the Li-ions.

Jay Cee -

4 lithium cells have a MAXIMUM charge voltage of 16.8. The charger for my vacuum is rated at 21V and 100mA. While the charging current is well within the limits of the lithium batteries, leaving the cells charging above 16.8Volts will lead to cell degradation and likely a fire. Secondly, lithium batteries have a minimum discharge current below which attempting to recharge the battery is dangerous (fire risk again). The vacuums discharge circuit is not designed for a low voltage cut out, and will drain the lithium cells below their acceptable operating range. In short do not replace with lithium cells.

Alex Barteau -

Actually, I’d like to start by asking exactly what batteries are used in the dust-buster as sold. Or what are the specs?

Since you can’t buy the battery pack as such, it seems like you have to reconstruct it. (No instructions for that part yet.) The photograph makes it look like there’s seven cells in the original. Is that right? I picked up a model number from one of the photographs: hsd-sc1500p. That led me to 2200mAh Sub C NiCd batteries. Is that the correct initial spec?

Mixed messages here on the Li-ions!

Tom Haverly -

Where do I find the spare battery pack?

jmpescarini -

I just upgraded mine with 4 removable 18650 batts, removed the back plate cover and mounted the battery holder there. Be nice if I could upload a picture.

Wanchai Siriwalothakul -

I count 7 battery there, so how the voltage get to 15.6?

Amir Beygi -

I bought these batteries from Greenforce eBay seller cells 16 x SubC Sub C 2500mAh 1.2V NiCd Rechargeable Battery with Tab Blue US Stock I couldn’t find any 1500 mHa batteries but these should last even longer between recharge. The important thing is the 1.2 V. When I connected the 13 batteries together it came out 16.75 volts. Some problems I had were that I had to fold over one of the tabs so it could be going the opposite way which allows positive to negative from battery to battery. I’m not sure why they have the tabs going the same direction because it just doesn’t work. Note I used the cardboard separator that was with the original batteries to line them up but it caused the batteries to be too high, so they didn’t fit inside the battery compartment right. I had to grind down some plastic with my dremmel on the top battery supports inside the compartment that holds the batteries in place to make room.

Here are some pictures I took https://1drv.ms/u/s!AoTe_z2joSpEg8FVJ9JK...

jeff mercer -

I have a Black & Decker cordless Dust Buster. The battery is shot. These instructions look like what I need but the battery in it is lithium type 1, 12v Max DC, 18Wh, 1.5 Ah. Can I use this battery as a replacement? If not where can I get the battery I need? I don't want this to end in a landfill.

Carver -

Where can I take my portable black & decker vacuum for replacement lithium batteries?

Alberta O Jeffers -