Here's the symptoms, What's the problem?

[wesso]

Hi guys,
I have a 1993 Ford Telstar TX/5 AX2 with a 2.5 Litre V6 engine. Now the symptoms are as follows... When I rev the engine a little bit above idle a few of the lights on the dash that don't normally come on, come on and then go off again when the revs drop back to idle. The battery also goes dead flat if I don't disconnect one of the leads. This would indicate a dead short. Last of all if I let the engine idle for about five minutes smoke and a strong electrical burning smell comes from around the alternator.

I am wondering if it could be something as simple as replacing the alternator that would solve this problem or could it be something else that is causing this to occur?

Please help me solve this problem... I am on a disability support pension so I don't have much money and can't afford to take the car to an Auto Electrician. I am also wondering if I need to drop the air-conditioner compressor out so that I can get the alternator out to replace it?
There doesn't seem to be too much room left to get it out any other way, so any advice on that would also be very much appreciated.

I look forward to any constructive input and thank you in advance.

Cheers

Wayne