Thanks Joe. Any help is appreciated.

I do know there are two smaller (22ga?) wires that come from the alternator pigtail that also go into the engine bay fuse box - and I'm clueless as to what those are/do.

My logic is - what's the difference if the two white (10ga) wires that carry the positive charge from the alternator, instead get their charge from the positive battery post?

I'll wait to hear back before continuing on....