Hey Jeff,

How did the knee surgery go? "On your back" sounds like it did not work out like most I know. Funny, I am trying to picture your monitor and keyboard setup, or is your neck bent sharply forward with a laptop where it was designed to be?

Anyhow, the alternator doesn't have to put out much current at all to raise the system to 14.0V, especially if the battery fluid has a low specific gravity or the plates are heavily sulphated. The Bosch system regulates at a nominal 14V but it is temperature dependent and the regulators vary one to the next, when you're into 3 significant digits.

I suggest your measurement is not catching the demon in the act, if the load test was done correctly. It is very common to open the hood and see things check out nicely, only to crap out down the road a piece. Like loose belts.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch
the second person.