EXHIBIT 23





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the registration  statements of
C&D TECHNOLOGIES,  INC. and Subsidiaries  (formerly Charter Power Systems, Inc.)
on Forms S-8 (Registration  Nos.  33-31978,  33-71390,  33-86672,  333-17979 and
333-38891) and Form S-3 Registration No. 333-3889 of our reports dated March 10,
1998 on our  audits  of the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial
statement schedule of C&D TECHNOLOGIES,  INC. and Subsidiaries as of January 31,
1998 and 1997,  and for each of the three years in the period ended  January 31,
1998, which reports are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.






COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 27, 1998