:confused: knew it would probably be something simple....i just didn't have enough stuff hooked up. got the headlights in today and sure enough...turning them on shows a discharge on gauge. battery is definetly in right, negative ground etc. fuel gauge and wipers work. still shows a charge when cranking engine and I would have thought draw would show discharge at that point?? ps. its a 64 v8 with the 3 wire alternator and separate volt regulator. thanks for responses.