Hi, I just installed a new battery, old one went dead a couple times and had to get a boost.

Old battery came with the car, GM Delco 625 CCA & 66 AH, 2 yr, 5 month old.
New Yellowtop is 700 CCA & 98 AH. ($168.99 + tax, Costco Mail in $25 rebate)

Anyway, my question, is 14.65 volts on the idle ok??? After running for a while, probably when the new battery was topped up, it dropped to its normal 13.5 volts.

with the car off it was 12.8 volt. I'm still hoping the alternator is OK, just spent enough on the battery.

 

You need to check that alt out a little more. What does your charge voltage go up to when you rev the engine up a little more?

 

I suspect your alt is getting old. It seems to keep good voltage when it is cold, but when it warms up, it becomes less efficient and starts to drop voltage. If you have no load on it, it should stay at around 14.4 volts even when hot. Have it checked out - some places do it for free. And its the other way around, the voltage will be lower when the battery is being charged, and should get up higher when done.

 

Alternator works fine.!! I drove to tennessee for vacation, most of it with the stereo on fairly loud!!
Optima battery working just like it should.

Hope Y'all R good.