Exhibit 23


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the registration  statements of
C&D   TECHNOLOGIES,   INC.  and  subsidiaries   (the  "Company")  on  Forms  S-8
(Registration  Nos.  33-31978,  33-71390,  33-86672,  333-17979  and  333-38891,
333-59177) and Form S-3  (Registration No. 333-38893) of our reports dated March
8, 1999 on our audits of the  consolidated  financial  statements  and financial
statement  schedule of the Company as of January 31, 1999 and January 31,  1998,
and for the three years in the period ended January 31, 1999,  which reports are
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.







/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- ------------------------------





PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, PA
April 29, 1999