Quote:

Do those voltage readings at the VR and alternator at idle indicative of charging at the max rate?

no, you took those readings at idle & the alt does not put out enough at idle which is why you have those low voltage numbers (8 ish) at the reg/alt field. At a higher RPM it will full field & put out the crazy numbers (17+ charging voltage) you mentioned earlier

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth