Thanks Robert - hoping you would chime in to reason me through another issue. I'll get you a plane ticket one of these days.

Battery was 12.5 across terminals. I got 11.85 tops at the positive alternator stud but I am idling super low?

I did replace the ignition switch with new for kicks and it started easier twice in a row. Voltage gauge inside still reading low.

I'll get some solid readings tomorrow and report back.