Don't you just hate it when

Actually, I was kind of loopy when I posted this. With out the ammeter hooked up power does not go anywhere. A DC ammeter (back in 71 ) must be placed in series to the circuit for it to give a reading. So I was way to quick to make a judgement.
The short is downstream from the black wire on the ammeter. If the wires were reversed on the ammeter, it would show everything reversed. I.e. show charging when the lights are on with the engine off. or show discharging when it is actually charging.
I will let you know when I find the gremlin.