[GC427]

Blas,

I now have 14.5 volts across the battery posts after disconnecting the external voltage regulator and wiring the alternator to the driver side post of the solenoid on the firewall as we discussed.

While the engine is running, the ammeter reads slightly negative. If more load is applied to the circuit by turning on radiator fans, the ammeter reads further negative, and if the lights are then turned on it reads still further negative. The battery still reads 14.5 volts while the loads across the circuit are applied. Under what circumstances should the ammeter read positive? If my ammeter does not read positive, might there still be a problem?

If the lights and fans are on for quite a while, therefore draining the battery, would the ammeter then read positive (indicating charging) after turning off the lights and fans?