My brand new B&D PHV1800 handvac does not charge up after 1 use. Could the battery be dead already?

There is a fault in it. You should take it back and ask for it to be repaired under warranty.

yes you are doing it right it should only turn about 1/4 inch then pull out go to this link for manual and diagram it ma help you..
http://servicenet.blackanddecker.com/Products/Detail/PHV1800#

If you are handy with a soldering iron, and don't mind spending a few hours building a new battery pack using 1.2 volt "sub c" cells, you can disassemble the PHV1800, and rebuild the pack yourself. I just did it tonight, and the vacuum works like new.

However, I'm not going to do this again. The PHV1800 doesn't use a single battery pack, but 2 packs that have to be assembled with very little room for error. You can purchase a combination battery pack/motor assembly for $75 (US currency, price currect as of 10/2011), unscrew the screws that hold the vacuum together, and replace the battery/motor unit as one.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, and don't mind spending a few hours building a new battery pack using 1.2 volt "sub c" cells, you can disassemble the PHV1800, and rebuild the pack yourself. I just did it tonight, and the vacuum works like new.

However, I'm not going to do this again. The PHV1800 doesn't use a single battery pack, but 2 packs that have to be assembled with very little room for error. You can purchase a combination battery pack/motor assembly for $75 (US currency, price currect as of 10/2011), unscrew the screws that hold the vacuum together, and replace the battery/motor unit as one.

Hi pwolft...
Amazon offers pretty large number of black decker replacement batteries, click here Finally charging for our multi device world and pick one (which fits).
Hope this was helpful.
enjoy

Sounds like you bought a defective battery
You can test for this by removing the battery and holding the power button for 15 seconds. This will restart the charging cycle as if the battery were new. If it still goes red get a refund and a new one.

check if there is thermal fuse or breaker that opened

Hi I know what you mean! My B&D dust buster used to do this too. The hi power boost means that it can only be used for a limited amount of time. Due to the age of the dust buster though its a sign that the battery is on its way out and regardless of whether or how long its been used or not used, batteries can lose power regardless.
Try to let the dust buster completely lose power and then charge it up for its initial burn in period of 14 hours. Also clean the connection metal strips or hole with a dry cotton bud incase there's any static or dust. Then see if it lasts longer. If the turbo mode or speed 2 is still short, then the battery is dying out.
I don't know where you are but in the UK its hard to get battery replacements for B&D products. You could check your local seller where you are if they have battery replacements but at the cost of current dustbusters it may make more economic sense to consider buying a new dustbuster.

There is no replacement for the dust container in these units. You would have to get an entire handvac which costs more then a full unit.

Try resetting your Roomba by removing the battery, unplug the charging connector, hold down the Power button for 30 seconds. This will reset the charging system, replace your battery, connect your charger and see what happens. By the way do you also have a homebase ? If so try that too