1500 Silverado normal voltage meter readings

[razzell2]

I will try to be brief, hope I can get some feedback.
2006 1500 Silverado LT that I bought brand new. Currently 35,000 miles on it.
New battery, new alternator. Brand new, both of them.
When I start my truck the voltmeter goes above 14...just a line or so.
After driving for a couple of miles it drops down below 14, two or three lines, but not as far as 9 or the red zone.
Is this normal? I worry that this is too much fluctuation.
When I am driving, on the freeway for example, doing 55, what should the normal reading on my voltmeter be? 14? 
Or is anything above and below 14 acceptable?  I just seem to recall that my truck always stayed right on the 14 line when driving it.
Finally, should my charging system (alternator, battery, etc) keep my battery charged to 100%?

Thank you for taking the time to help a non mechanic newbie. 
 

[diyer2]

Check the voltage at the battery posts with a Digital Voltage Meter(DVM).

Compare those reading with truck gauge.

Could be off a little due voltage drop through wires to truck gauge.

This is a handy tool for checking battery voltage and monitoring it.

https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3721-Battery-Charging-Monitor/dp/B000EVWDU0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Local auto store may have something similar but probably no as accurate.

[bgbdwlf2500]

Did the 2006 have the alternator that put out what was needed? mine goes over 14 with the headlights on and after a minute or so of turning them off will drop below 14. Maybe the alternator you put on has the regulation feature and the other did not?

[Logan Lanfear]

At some point they put on alternators that shut off when they wernt being used to save some gas.  I want to say that was 2007 but I really have no idea.  It might just be normal. 

[slj2008]

My 2008 TAHOE does the same thing - its normal per my dealership , there was a service notice from GM ,about the change in the system.

[redvett]

2005 1500 trucks were the first to have regulated power and  fluctuation from 11v -15v is normal.

[carnau]

4 hours ago, slj2008 said:

My 2008 TAHOE does the same thing - its normal per my dealership , there was a service notice from GM ,about the change in the system.

It is normal. You have an amp clamp on the battery cable. This amp clamp sends a signal to the PCM to let it know how much the alternator needs to be charging. This keeps your battery from over charging or expanding.  Perfectly normal.

[drhinckley]

8 hours ago, razzell2 said:

I will try to be brief, hope I can get some feedback.
2006 1500 Silverado LT that I bought brand new. Currently 35,000 miles on it.
New battery, new alternator. Brand new, both of them.
When I start my truck the voltmeter goes above 14...just a line or so.
After driving for a couple of miles it drops down below 14, two or three lines, but not as far as 9 or the red zone.
Is this normal? I worry that this is too much fluctuation.
When I am driving, on the freeway for example, doing 55, what should the normal reading on my voltmeter be? 14? 
Or is anything above and below 14 acceptable?  I just seem to recall that my truck always stayed right on the 14 line when driving it.
Finally, should my charging system (alternator, battery, etc) keep my battery charged to 100%?

Thank you for taking the time to help a non mechanic newbie. 
 

According to what I can find it seems that anything between 13.7 and 14.3 is acceptable.

[razzell2]

Thank y'all very much.  I appreciate your comments.  I went to the local Auto Zone after reading your comments and everything tested out properly, functioning normally they said.
I feel confident now that the readings are normal and that my truck is running properly.
Peace!

[razzell2]

18 hours ago, diyer2 said:

Check the voltage at the battery posts with a Digital Voltage Meter(DVM).

Compare those reading with truck gauge.

Could be off a little due voltage drop through wires to truck gauge.

This is a handy tool for checking battery voltage and monitoring it.

https://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3721-Battery-Charging-Monitor/dp/B000EVWDU0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Local auto store may have something similar but probably no as accurate.

That is a cool little tool that I just ordered.  Thanks for the link !