[blykins]

Update.....

I changed plugs. I charged the battery to 100%, stuck a voltmeter on it and started the engine.

The battery showed about 12.4V before I started.....After the engine started, the voltage would go up only after the engine was spinning about 1500-2000 revs...then the voltage would show about 13.5V.

Alternator works.

I messed around a little while longer, and shut the engine off. I have a master disconnect switch on the rear bulkhead. I turned it off. There was *nothing* pulling on the battery....

I stuck the charger on the battery and let it trickle charge while I was cleaning up. It showed 100%. I pulled the charger leads off the battery....and Dad interrupted me and told me just to leave them on and let it trickle charge while I was gone and he would check on it. I put the leads back on the battery, and it showed 80%. There was nothing at all putting a load on the battery, and yet a minute later it was down by 20%. It's an Optima battery....I think I have a shorted cell.

So alternator works. Battery doesn't. New plugs.

One of the highlights of the day.....I got to drive a 69/70? Boss 302 Mustang. I fell in love.