Generator,Cutout ?

Unknown

I just changed my old original battery cables to 3/0 copper with new soldered ends and a heavy duty cut off switch. I put a good charge on the battery and now it seems the amp meter does not show charge all the time like before. I turn the lights on and it goes to discharge but for the little while I ran her she never went up to the charge like before. I checked the fuse on the gen. and it is good. Does the cutout turn off and on like a switch as far as charge and not charge ?? Or maybe something went wrong when I did this ? Thanks Ron