So, I have in the past seen that the alternator ('03 OEM) on my earlier batteries was giving something like 14.4V right after startup, gradually going down to 13.9 V or so after a while of driving (with a dedicated voltmeter, not the dash one). This is just an impression from memory, not real tests. Those numbers seem fine, 14.4 is the standard bulk charging for FLA and it makes sense that it would go down when the battery is fully charged. OK.
However, after some possible electrical issues, I just replaced the battery with a new one which I assume to be in excellent condition and since paying attention to it, I saw that that the voltages seem noticeably lower. For instance, at idle in N without A/C (650-700 rpm) I get now about 13.6V, with A/C and fan on high it's more like 13.5V. When driving after a while, even at fairly high rpm for me (3K), it is around 13.7 , and I don't think it goes quite as high as 14.4V after startup now.
I'm happy to attribute that to the fact that the battery is new and really fully-charged, but I'm curious if there may be something else going on, so I gotta ask:
What voltages are you seeing at idle? Do you know what it is supposed to be per specs?
However, after some possible electrical issues, I just replaced the battery with a new one which I assume to be in excellent condition and since paying attention to it, I saw that that the voltages seem noticeably lower. For instance, at idle in N without A/C (650-700 rpm) I get now about 13.6V, with A/C and fan on high it's more like 13.5V. When driving after a while, even at fairly high rpm for me (3K), it is around 13.7 , and I don't think it goes quite as high as 14.4V after startup now.
I'm happy to attribute that to the fact that the battery is new and really fully-charged, but I'm curious if there may be something else going on, so I gotta ask:
What voltages are you seeing at idle? Do you know what it is supposed to be per specs?