First of all, thanks for the responses...
I do have the large red wire hooked to the alternator as well as the small red wire. I also have the ground wire but as yet I have not taken it off and cleaned the connection (will work on that tomorrow).
As for the voltage....when I check with the engine running or not running it doesn't change a bit. I've also taken a screwdriver and placed against the alternator shaft (while the car is running) and there is no magnetism.
As yet I have not checked at the instrument panel to see if there is voltage from the ignition switch and from the small red wire off the alternator. I was hoping not to have to pull the instrument panel if at all possible.
One question I do have.....
I have looked under the dash and have even pulled the small bulb for the battery idiot light...
For the life of me I can't see where a wire hooks into this bulb. Looking up under the dash all I see is a row of light sockets for the idiot lights but there aren't any wires going to any of these. Is this a circuit board setup that powers all of the lights from a single feed? I know power is getting up there because of the lights that do work but I'm at a loss as to where the power comes in.
Thanks again for the help so far.
Dave