In a message dated 6/13/05 1:45:40 PM, rrecardo@WEBTV.NET writes:

<< The alternator should be pushng closer to 14 volts. >>

Good rule of thumb.

Loaded down, the regulated voltage should between 13.8 and 14.8 V.  Less, and
the battery is going to eventually go flat, more, and the battery boils.

Of the two, I'll take the going flat option.  I recently had a regulator
queef out on the high side.  My kid, Johnny Cash Junior, noticed the headlights
going from a little brighter to a little less so.  When I popped open the hood,
I saw droplets of what I thought to be water all over the place.  I asked
Johnny if he had sprayed water anywhere near the car with the hood opened.  He
answered in the negative, which I should have assumed because he hasn't had the
desire to hold the working end of a garden hose since he was about five years
old.  In the failing light of dusk, like a fool I daubed at one of the droplets
in order to determine if it was oil or water.  Being battery acid, it was
neither.  Damn good thing I didn't rub my itchy eye.

George