I just took the alternator out of my 83 1.6 diesel to have it rebuilt and I
noticed that it ties in directly to the battery.  So my question is, is this
wrong or is there some sort of device in the alternator that monitors the
battery and tells the alternator when to charge the battery and when not to.
In my old Studebaker (first car) I remember a regulator in between the
alternator and the battery.

Any thoughts?

Dave