Ford Repair: 2001 Ford Taurus, ford taurus, alternator

Question
I was driving along and my alternator started smoking.  A friend replaced the alternator, but now my battery light stays on.  We took the replacement alternator back to the parts place and it did not test too good so they gave us another one.  The battery light still stayed on.  We then went and got a alternator at NAPA and the battery light still stays on.

Do you have any idea what could be causing this problem.  I really appreciate this website and all of your help.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Shirley-

  Have you tried having the actual battery tested?  Most of the time when an alternator goes out, it's been running poorly enough to lower the battery's charge and once a battery gets so low, it can't be recharged.  I could go on and on as to why this happens, but it's easier to just tell you to get the battery tested.  I'm betting that it's weak and probably needs to be replaced.  Hope this helps.

Steve