Took my new Coronet out for the first cruise and it didn't go so well. When I got it, the battery was dead, so I charged it up and everything looked fine. When I drove it, the ammeter needle stayed slightly below the middle, and dropped when I braked or signaled. Typical for an old car. Yet when it sits for a day or two the battery drains again. I got it jumped for the trip home, but it is definitely running off the battery and not the alternator.

Any ideas as to why it would drain when it is not being used? Someone told me the ammeter connections could be loose and that is draining it. I think it's a bit more complicated since the system won't recharge the battery when it's running.

Someone already replaced the ballast resistor with another incorrect one that gets very hot. I'm thinking I need to replace it again and maybe the voltage regulator.

What tests can I do to isolate the problem before I go spending lots of $$?

Thanks!