Electrical Charging Problem

[RED92LX50]

Before I started my new mod (installing a custom dash cluster), my charging system worked great, my battery was reading around 13V with the engine off, and my AutoMeter gauge (DVM confirmed) showed around 14.5V when the engine was running. It was like this for the last two years (with my underdrives, no A/C and 3G Alt.).

My new mod was to install a custom dash cluster (Florida 5.0 with an Autometer Tach & Speedo) and 12V LED's for Turn Signals, High Beams, Seat belts, etc. Well, the cluster install went fairly well, I traced all the connections to the two stock connectors, and all of my LED's function properly, and my gauge illumination works fine, and I even spliced in the anti-slosh module for my Autometer Fuel Level gauge. Now, my problem is - my battery is NEVER charging - the Volts do not fluctuate with engine RPM, after charging my battery to 13.5V with a charger, it steadily dropped to around 11V on my drive in to work today - and now it won't start again. When I put on the turn signal, it lights up for about 1.5 seconds and then turns off for about a second, then repeats (it does not blink rapidly like it used to).

I know I am reaching for straws - but if you guys could point me in the right direction to start checking things I would really appreciate it!

I guess the first thing I should do is completely remove the new cluster and see if I have a short of some kind (or maybe I didn't ground something that should have remained grounded?).

Could the alternator have "suddenly" gone bad when reconnecting the battery after my gauge install?

I can't imagine that I have a direct short to ground - and I really don't want to take that darned cluster out if it is not causing the problem.

Thanks for your help!

BTW, the car ran fine today for my 20 mile drive to work, the battery just slowly drained (as I watched the volts go down from 12.5 to 11V).