Thanks everybody, and I also enjoy the tit-for-tat debate on alternator vs. generator! There is a possibility of a belt issue, which I looked into today. The belt I've had on for a short time was 'cheap' in cost and maybe cheap in composition, and seems to have caused some 'slicks' on the pulleys. I put an old Gates belt on as found in my parts bin, and adjusted the tension, but first cleaned up/sanded the pulleys. Still, when I put the headlites on, the ammeter dips well below center at idle, not that I totally trust its accuracy. Like a couple of you said, maybe the regulator? The generator is 'new'....that is, it's an NOS unit rebuilt by General Motors, I believe rated at 30 - 35A.
