Many thanks for the advice!!

Sorry to neglect this for so long. With busy holiday times, and the merciful abillity to drive during daylight hours despite my car's problems, I've been having trouble getting down to business.

I think I will have Autozone check out the alternator, as observation has seemed to indicate at least some deficiency.

I also almost certainly have a current leak while the car is sitting, not running.

In case it's really a smoking gun, one question before I start testing the alt and pulling fused looking for the leak: COULD A PROBLEM WITH THE ALT / REGULATOR / BRUSHES CAUSE BOTH POOR CHARGING AND A CURRENT LEAK??

Thanks,

Bradley