Single Wire Alternators and other issues

[Sledge]

Folks:

I'm having trouble deciding if I still have an alternator problem or not.

Sometimes when I start my new BDR (351W with Powermaster 100-amp single-wire alternator, about 800 miles on the car and engine) the voltage meter goes immediately to 14-15 volts; at the other extreme it will only go to 12 volts for the first 10 to 15 minutes and then it will kick up to 14-15 volts for the rest of the drive.

Is that normal? Reason I ask is that I've already had to replace one alternator on this car, which quit taking the load and charging the battery after about the first 250 miles of driving. I had a heck of a time convincing our local BDR distributor I was having a problem but I finally did convince him, and he sent me a new one, which exhibits the behavior I've described above. Armond is a great guy and says he's never had a problem with Powermasters, and I have no reason to believe otherwise as occasional failures will occur with anyone's product. But every time I start up to go for a drive I've got my fingers crossed until the volt meter is showing 14 or so.

Otherwise the electrics are working pretty well with the exception of 1) the turn signals (won't self-cancel properly in right turns, not at all on left turns, and when I signal for a right turn the amber dashboard hazard flasher light illuminates at the same times as the green dashboard turn signal light), and 2) no night lighting for the fuel gauge. Today I noticed the electric cooling fans did not come on automatically and I had to turn them on manually. I don't know yet if that was a "today only" glitch or if it is going to be a consistent problem.

I've also managed to bump the red "master switch" key between the seats to the off position 3 times now while driving, and have cured that problem by running a small bungee cord from the inboard passenger shoulder harness eyebolt to the red key, which holds it in the "ON" position. Crude but effective.

Any helpful hints will be appreciated.

Thanks

Bill