My alternator isn't charging my battery but we don't think it's the alternator. Any ideas?

We ve been doing all the repairs ourselves and when the battery stopped charging, we replaced the alternator. This didn't fix the problem. We took it to an electrician and he said the alternator was bad when we bought it new. So we took it back home and went to replace it again when I accidentally forgot to unplug the battery and sparks flew from the alternator when we went to take out the first bolt of the alternator, which means it did have a charge when the electrician said it didn't. We know that there are significant wiring issues due to the previous owner thinking they were a mechanic, so we think that s the issue. This car is a 2004 Ford Escape so the alternator is extremely hard to get to. We just want to know if we should continue to take it out and get it tested or just bring it back to the electrician and say it got tested and it was fine and let them move on to the next possible issue in diagnosis. Or if you have any other ideas of what it might be?

OOh, electrical wiring. You know, it is best to take it to an electrical specialist and not a regular mechanic. Mechanics do not always know car electric. If it really is worth it, try taking it to a car electrical specialist. If the cost is not worth the cost of the vehicle, consider the option of selling this vehicle for parts and getting enough money to buy a better vehicle. That's the best I can do for an answer this morning. I do hope you find the best solution. Car electrics are the WORST for diagnosis. My experience has been just that -- finding out the cost of replacing the electric wires is more than the value of the vehicle. Sorry for your troubles.

EVERY car has a fuse in the charging circuit to prevent the car from going up in flames if it gets shorted. You blew it when you were wrenching there.
TIP: ALWAYS make the store test the "new" alternator before you take it home!

Make sure the terminals on the battery cables are clean.

Battery

Make sure you didn't blow any fusible links or main fuses. Always disconnect the battery when doing any electrical work.

Find the charging system fuse. It's blown and that's your whole problem. $2 fuse.

You say that the previous owner messed with the wiring, it's obviously somewhere you would have to check but, no-one online will be able to tell you without actually checking what has been done

Your battery is dead. Replace the battery. Batteries die, as did this one. Unless you wanna pay guys like skycat 1200 dollars to replace a battery.

If you are playing mechanic then test the alternator.
You can check the wiring as well.

Charging system.
Voltage.
Amperage.

What have you measured?
Anything?

With the vehicle idling and the headlights on, what is the battery voltage?

-Engine overhaul mechanic and electrical system expert, since 1972