Alternator not charging?

[Kevin Redline Edition]

The alternator in my 2019 Silverado when I first start reads 14.4 volts then minutes later it reads approximately 12.7 any insights are appreciated 

[Silverado4x4]

44 minutes ago, Kevin Redline Edition said:

The alternator in my 2019 Silverado when I first start reads 14.4 volts then minutes later it reads approximately 12.7 any insights are appreciated 

The alternator only charges the battery when it needs too then it cuts back based on what the battery needs, sometimes after running the truck for a longer period you will see it drop below 12v, its normal it the way it's designed. Our vehicles come with a AGM battery they won't handle a charge all the time that's why if you charge a AGM battery sitting on a bench you have to get a battery charger designed to charge an AGM battery not the old type that keeps charging or you will over charge the battery and burn it up.

[Z45]

Like everything on the vehicle, its computer controlled.  Its called regulated voltage control.

 

from your owners manual;

 

When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates the battery voltage. When the engine is running, this gauge shows the condition of the charging system. The gauge can transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher reading. This is normal. If the vehicle is operating outside the normal operating range, the charging system light comes on. See Charging System Light 0 146 for more information. The voltmeter gauge may also read lower when in fuel economy mode. This is normal.

Edited June 18, 2023 by elcamino

[redwngr]

There are many threads about this.

 

Sounds like the computer monitoring the electrical system is doing what it's designed to do.

 

There are pages of further up explanation about it in the upfitter docs.  Some of that info has been posted several times in other threads.

Edited June 19, 2023 by redwngr