Newer battery, replaced in March 2021, alternator original since I bought the AV in 2019. Alt meter shows 14v at start up.
After truck is at operating temperature it drops below 14v.
When I turn the AC on it drops ever so slightly.
Radio on it drops a little more.
Truck always starts right up.
Lights don't dim when excessive load is placed on the system but the ALT meter never reads 14v consistently.
When I hook up my volt meter to the back of the alternator, I get a fluctuating reading between 14.1v and 14.4v.
This leads me to believe either the ALt meter isn't reading correctly or the wiring has more resistance due to its age causing the meter not to receive the correct voltage.
Wires do increase their resistance as they age, so I am going to upgrade the power and ground wires for the alternator and battery using 2 or 0 guage wire.
Don't forget that temperature affects the resistance in a wire and could also be a factor , especially in hotter climates like south Florida or the west so take that into account as well.