i tried searching but could not find what i was looking for so here goes.....
The problem i am haveing is the voltage for my car up til about 2 weeks ago was in the 13.0 - 13.6 range, this i am assuming is normal. Now all of the sudden it has dipped down to 12.2 - 12.5. This i am assuming is not normal. I recently replaced my alternator, and the accompaning (sp) belts, ps & ac, chasing another problem approx. 1 month ago. Now when i turn on the ac the volts dip down to below 12, often to the 11.5 - 11.7 mark, And these reading are while driving at 30 mph, at idle the voltage seems to hover around 12. This i am also assuming this what is causing my battery to be unable to charge up and hold enough power to start the car (upon start the volt meter read 9.5 - 10.2 then dips down to the upper 8's as i try to start the car. I should also mention i DO have a udp, but i was having no such problem when i put it on over 1 year ago, the problems are VERY recent, so i ruling out that as a possible problem, and my belts are tight. So my questions are -

1. Do i need to replace the alternator again?
2. Could it be that the AC compressor is on the way out and sucking up to much voltage (btw the air is cold and works fine other then the voltage issue)
3. Could the power steering pump be going bad, i do hear a slight constant creaking coming from it. Now it works fine but could age be making it work harder than normal an is ti time for it to be replaced?
4. Any other suggestion is greatly appreciated!!!

Sorry for the long post but i have searched the archives for a couple hours and did not find answers that i was looking for.

well it does sound like it's still the alternator. it could also be the battery wire to the alternator not properly connected or some kind of corrosion at one of the terminals giving some resistance somewhere on that line. if you bought that alternator from a pepboys or advanceautoparts, most of those alternators are refurbished so lots of times they don't repair them correctly, i know this 'cause i worked there before and i know how it is. so if you want goto to one of those places and have them test the new one, and see if it still charges, if not that's your problem. but as for belts make sure the tension is correct, if so, that's not the problem.

thank you for the reply, i am kinding of leaning toward the alternator being the problem, but so this wont happen again and again, what kind of suggestion do you have, in as far as getting a replacement, should i get it rebuilt by a independent, or go refurbished again from a retail auto part place? It is still under a "free" replacement warrranty, should i just go through the hassle of installing a "new" one under warranty? I do my own stuff so the install would be free.