Are you saying that you are running an internally regulated, 'one-wire' alternator & you were measuring current, not voltage? If so, the current measurement dropping to zero when you break the B-lead doesn't mean the alternator isn't 'putting out.' There won't be any current flowing because the circuit is no longer complete, but the alternator can still be producing voltage potential at the B-lead terminal. The only way to tell is to have a volt meter hooked directly to the B-lead terminal when you open the B-lead. Same idea as an electrical outlet in your house: 120 VAC al the time but no current until you plug something in & turn it on.

The aeroelectric list hand-wringing about 'load dump' should only be relevant if you lose the connection to the *battery*. If the regulator fails & allows unregulated output from the alternator then the B-lead overvoltage disconnect relay described in the 'Connection' is what prevents the high voltage from damaging the a/c electronics. By the time you get to this point, 'load dump' is meaningless because the result of load dump (overvoltage) has already happened & preventing load dump is no longer an issue.

We'll talk when you get here on Friday.

Charlie