Another Ammeter bypass question

ok thnks. I just came in from cleaning up the old VR and testing this again - I am getting voltmeter needle pegged (scale goes to 16V) connected to BAT stud on alternator - and just the low battery 12V reading at the positive side of battery telling me it is not getting a charging current - any ideas on why alternator is showing such a high output and yet no charging current getting to battery? I am hesitant to attach wire from alternator BAT stud direct to the starter relay with high output like that...though I guess the fusible link in there should protect starter relay and starter..will a bad VR let the alternator put out excessive voltage?