Alt. guage discharging all the time???

You've learned that it wont run right on low voltage.
Years ago we had a 93 Lebaron that had lost a brush in the alternator.
It would start and idle on the battery alone. Turn the headlights on and the engine would stop. I did manage to drive it home in pouring rain ( without the lights or wipers ). The brake lights alone would cause it to skip.