12 H.P. B.S.

For some time I've been dealing w/ the battery going dead. After pokin' around I noticed that a wire coming from under the flywheel was broken. I assumed this was for the alternator / generator, whatever you call it, I tested for voltage and found none. I removed the part, which looks like a ring w/ copper wire wrapped around it and one lead wire which returns back to the ignition switch. I tested this part with a cheap muti-meter and found that it had continuity from the lead wire to the ground of the ring. Should this part have any resistance? If yes, do you happen to know how much. I did replace it w/ a different used one still did not read any voltage. I may have gotten a bad replacement but I prefer not to go with the trial and error process. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Speedy