I'm starting to think its an epidemic..

i have bought altnators from auto zone and it took 3 exchanges to get one that worked, make sure you have it checked before you walk out with it so you know your not chasin other problems just cuz you replaced it with a new one, same goes for the regulators, unwrap the tape from your charging system related wires and track each wire making sure its not broke or shorted, you'll find the problem keep workin at it..... trouble shooting electrical is like connecting the dots, you gotta check each connection and wire and make sure it connected and its compnents are up to snuff.