Alternator dead? or to low of cca on battery?

[sedah]

Just as the question states My logger reads 12.6 when the cars turned off USUSALLY but for the longest time the car doesnt start after sitting any length of time (6 hours to 2days) althouth just yesterday instead of letting the key go after the first 4 or 5 turns as it got slower i just held it frustrated and slowly probly taking a good 30 seconds or more even it started cranking faster and faster until it actually started idling normal at which the logger read 14 although when i turn lights on (ac lowers idle since my isc is going bad) and such the volts occassionally drop down to 12 again and hold steady there if i could fiqure out how to get the results to come straight off the logger (mmcd) to a file other then excel i'd gladly show everone.. .. what does anyont think this could be?

battery is a crummy exide reccomended as a direct replacement for my old one

Umm its 5:30 in the morning so i'm not going to fix the puncuation and spelling.. sorry long paragrah of pain.

 

[Blue92]

Get a voltmeter and test the battery on the terminals. I am pretty sure it should be 13.8 with the car running. I want to say 12.5 with the car off. If it is too low with the car off, then the battery might be bad. If it is too low with the car on, then the alternator might be bad. Most autoparts places will test them for you also.

 

[sedah]

i've actually had the alternator tested and the battery replaced about 3 months back so i just dont know yet