I noticed something that to me is kind of strange. Battery died again, charged it overnight, car starts again. So I got out the voltmeter to check the alternator, and to my surprise, the 2 power wires from the alternator don't go to the starter or the + of the battery, but they go to Fuse 1 instead.

If this is correct, how is a charge getting to the + of the battery??

I do not know what to say about that. For a Fuse to be in the Alternator Circuit it would have to be a high enough amp of fuse like 35 or 45 amps.

The below wiring diagram is from a 77 240D and shows the 2 Red Alternator wires going to a junction at the Starter (M in the diagram) with the Battery.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I figured I'd post what I figured out...for whoever might come across the same problem. I went to the junkyard yesterday and chased some wires in a 76 240d. Turns out, the wires from the alternator go up to the firewall and meet a larger bunch of wires. But when I cut that bunch open, I found out that the wires make a 180 degree turn and head back to the starter.

Still, I pulled the wires off of the starter and sanded the tarnish off of the ends, sprayed them with contact cleaner just to be sure. With the car running I'm getting 14.6V on the battery. Next time the car won't start, I'm buying a new battery. Has been a long time anyway.