I took
gschotland's suggestion and took the alternator to Autozone for test.
It failed.
While I was removing the alternator, I checked the belt and it was really bad - the burning smell was coming from the alternator's pulley and the belt contact. I didn't know it at first but the black powder on the alternator's side that faces the pulley was from the belt!
The best news is that I think I discovered WHY I have had problems with my alternators. My theory is that the belt's tension was too tight. My Subi has adjustable tension bolt. I am about a good half inch lower than where it was and now the tension seems just right. (I really need a better way to tell tension. Any suggestions?) If I were to set the adjustable tension bolt to how it was, there is almost no give in the belt.
My guess is that all the previous "paid" mechanics didn't bother to really check the belt's tension but always restored to the tension bolt's previous and wrong setting.
My lession?
1. The collective knowledge of this forum is invaluable.
2. If you want the job done right, you have to do it. Or, at least you should have an idea so you would know if the job was done properly.
Thank you for all you input.
P.S. My gadget is happy too. I do get the "alternator bad" sign when I idle AND turn on the A/C, but I can live with that.
Here is the picture of my gadget.
Hybrid Mode
