discharge/overcharge?

trailbeast, went back out and jumped a 10 gauge wire from the battery to alt battery post and no change. it seems like a voltage regulator problem to me but i don't understand why the amp gauge shows discharge while the system is clearly overcharging 15v at idle with no lights on just now when i checked it before jumping it. is there anyway to test the regulator, i don't mind to buy one at all if i need it, just hate to waste money on it or if something is wrong and messes up a new one too since i have two of them doing the same thing right now.

If you run a large ga. wire direct from alternator to battery.........even temporary..........

And temporarily connect battery direct to VR IGN terminal, and make certain it's grounded, that should produce "about" 14V with battery warm and charged. My personal feeling is no less than 13.5, no more than 14.5, and "optimum" 13.8--14.2