Reply to "Battery Issue?"

I have the same problem in a 80 vw that I buss to work. Napa's best battery, 5 replacements in one year and the warrantied alternator 6 time's?
Replacement parts are all junk. they work fine for a while then go south.
Once I am out of the warranty on these items these are what I am going to:

Alternator: Riverside Alternator and Starter, 951-354-2373, 9960 Indiana Ave, Unit #3 Riverside Ca 92503. All good reports from folks that use them. They also kick up the amps.

Battery: http://www.odysseybattery.com/ .
I have a 2003 VW Golf Diesel Battery in the pantera now that fits perfectly in the stock location that is still kicking. This will be hard to change as it has done so well but I think the odyssey will be a good choice.

I have way to many cars, all maintained well and I hate inferior parts and many of the parts houses are pushing junk, If I can get my parts from the factory/dealer I take the hit on pricing and most of the times I have no worries.
On the rare occasion I end up at O'reilly's , Napa, Auto zone etc most of the time it's nothing but grief.

The voltage on my alternator just prior to it giving up jumps too. its the diodes in the alternator not quite working correctly and regulating. It sound like the set up worked for a good while, I would have your alternator rebuilt in that case. good luck. Mark

The Beast; 0-55mph in 45 sec. can reach Mach 70mph with tailwind. 50mpg all day.
1.5 normally aspirated diesel 300,000+ miles. won't die!