As long as the voltage is staying above 7 volts against a fully-charged battery, you don't have a problem, even if the ammeter shows little or no charge. The battery is sort of like a bucket- - - - -starting the engine empties the bucket somewhat, and the generator refills it, with the ammeter showing a heavy charge. Once the bucket is full, all the generator is doing is supplying a relatively low current to run the igniton system, etc., with a very slow charge going to the battery. The next time you start, the current draw from the starter empties the bucket a little, and the generator goes back to a heavy charge for a short time. As long as battery terminal voltage does not drop below 6.5 volts, the generator is still charging, even with a very slight deflection of the ammeter needle. 7.2 to 7.5 volts against a fully-charged battery is better.
Jerry
