[Vwdiesel] Alternator testing tricks?

[Shawn Wright]

The last two drives on my '88 Westy TD have resulted in a slow starting 
battery. Today, it was a no-starting battery. Luckily, I had thrown a spare 
battery under the seat. Back home, I checked the battery with a 
hydrometer - all cells were equally low. It also didn't seem to recharge 
much at all after 1/2 hr driving, so I suspect the alternator. Aside from the 
obvious regulator/brush assembly replacement, what other tricks are there 
for diagnosing a worn out alternator? The alt light goes out right away, and 
has never flickered at all.

Thx
Shawn Wright
http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
'85 Jetta D 
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
 (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
'82 Diesel Westy