[stellar]

1st your question then the docs' diagnosis. With a conventional (OE or OE style replacement reg) the alt will not charge without the sense wire connected. So from the info given I suspect you have an alt using a one wire reg the (self exciting) type that will allow the light function to work. With this type of reg the sense wire isn't necessary to charge. I also suspect you have a 10 SI alt that has been converted to 140 amps by changing the stator. With this set up the alt will charge at a lower amount at low RPM than even a stock 63 amp alt. It will not put out the higher amps until it is running at a high RPM. Volts will also be lower. A stock alt will charge well over 16 volts with the bat disconnected, and you only had 14.56. Lucky you because damage can occur to electronics when disconnecting the bat with car running. It is not a good thing to do. I think you would have better performance using a stock 12SI 94 amp alt.