<VV> Still, one wire alternator problem

[NicolCS@aol.com]

<snip> Thanks to everyone who has responded to my "current"  drain problem. 
... This  
I don't know much about these alternators, but  there must be something  
inside the unit which is making the circuit  with the ground. Any ideas?
thanks again Guys ( & Gals) Jeff Bahret  <unsnip>
 
Either the regulator is defective, you have a shorted (+) diode, or the  unit 
has a wrong polarity diode.  You can disassemble the alternator and  check 
the diodes for shorts.  If they are all good (continuity with the  ohmmeter 
leads one-way and no continuity with the leads switched opposite), then  it's an 
internal fault in the regulator.  You mentioned that this was a new  
alternator.  It's possible that they put a wrong polarity diode in it. The  three in the 
bridge should all be color coded the same and operate with the same  meter 
connection. and the same is true for the three in the alternator body. 
 
 If you happen to have a spare regulator (even a non-one wire) you  could 
swap that in first instead of checking the diodes first.  Swapping a  regulator 
is a little simpler but only if you happen to have one!
Craig Nicol