Hello all,

I am looking for advice, experience, and wisdom with regards to the
charging and electrical system on my truck. FWIW, its an 88 S10 Blazer.

After dead batteries, and apparent alternator issues, taking to the
parts shop and having both components testing good, on and off the
truck, I just gave up and bought a new alternator, and demanded a new
battery for free from the auto store. Amazingly, they caved and so I
have a new Autolite battery. I also was concerned with the cable from
the alternator to the battery, so I added a new one, and left the old
one in place.  Used 12AWG wire.

Now unless I have some kind of parasitic, or intermittent issue, I
ought to be able to drive and enjoy the dirt roads without concern, but
as I have tested and monitored the system, I am seeing things that may
be normal, but they concern me.

Given a new battery, wires, and alternator, I see with a accurate
voltmeter, 14.5 volts after starting, and it gradually drops as the
charge comes up, to around 14.25 volts. The dash voltmeter is constant,
although not accurate, so I am assuming that where I see it when my
good meter says 14.5 volts, is good enough.

When driving, if I turn on the turn signal, I can see the dash
voltmeter fluctuate a bit. Is that normal?

When I turn on the headlamps, the dash voltmeter dips to what I would
interpret as about 13.5 volts, very wild guess. When the car is in the
driveway, and the good voltmeter  is on it, I always see 14.2 volts, or
so, and the  headlamps cost maybe a tenth of a volt. I may be nit
picking, but with all new parts, I am not sure I ought to see any
change in voltage, even with pretty much everything in the truck turned
on.

Is it figured to be normal for the voltmeter on the dash to dip with
the lights and turn signals on? Do you guys see that happen in your
Blazers?

I am going to install an ammeter inside the truck, and am not sure just
what gauge wire I should be using. It looks to be about 7 feet one way.
What kind of amps will I be seeing from the alternator to the battery,
so I can figure out the wire size? I don't really want to run 8 AWG
wire 14 feet in tight places, much less find connectors for such a
size. :-)

Lastly, as more of a general battery question, I know that a 100%
charged battery ought to be at 12.6v, or 2.1V per cell, but on my
truck, if it sits for a two days, the battery is at 12.35 volts, even
tho the last run on the truck was at least an hour's drive, which
should have fully charged the batt.

At 12.35 volts, I see a battery between 75% and 50% capacity. Is that
something to consider normal after sitting for only a few days?

Sure appreciate and comments or suggestions. I have trouble enjoying my
truck, wondering where it will strand me the next time :-)

Much obliged,

Mark