My Optimax 225 (2000) was running fine and when I slowed down it
stalled out. Turning it over it would kick up and start for a few
seconds (rev to 3000 RPM) and then die out.

It is gettting gas, etc. When I looked under the hood I noticed some
electrical smell and some flakes or ash? around the alternator? Would
a blown alternator have that effect on the engine? I'm looking to
see if I should try to fix it myself or wait a few weeks for the
service guys to get to it...

Thanks
Jon