what is the alt supposed to be at

[98outbackpdx]

i am having a bit of a hard time cold starting.
i thought it was my battery that was replaced last may or so.
i replaced the alternator with a Subaru part, middle of last august.
today when i had my charging system checked the guy told me that the alternator is charging at 13.8 volts. although i did not see the reader thing he used.
he said it was within specs, but it is on the low side.
i am going to take it to my mechanic tomarrow to have him tell me if it is bad or not.
the guy at tire factory (where i got the battery) told me it might be my starter is going.
is this something that i am going to have to have done soon.
we are supposed to get snow (finally) this week and possibly beyond and it will hopefully turn into what the rest of the country got, and the astros brakes are metal on metal, so it is not currently drivable.
so i want to get this done under warranty if i can.
any help would be appreciated.

[TGX4776]

13.8 sounds normal to me. Swing by an Autozone for a second opinion. ask for a manager to lower the chance of getting someone who doesn't know what they are doing. Have them test your battery (make sure you know the Cold cranking amps) starter and alternator It's free so worth a shot. the guy at Tire Factory may just be trying to avoid giving you a battery under warranty.

[LunchBox04V]

I would agree it was a little low. On battery power alone it should be at 12 volts, maybe a little less. Running with the alternator at speed (1000 rpm +) It should be around 14 volts. I believe the range is 13.5-14.5 volts for normal operation.... Mine normally goes to 14.5 after a cold start (20*F), and within 10-15 minutes is stable at 14.1 volts. (I installed a voltammeter because I am a little OCD, lol)

[rougeben83]

13.8 is normal, just borrow a voltometer or buy a cheap one ($5-10 at radioshack) and see for yourself.

[J.McDonald Knives]

If its slow cranking and battery and alternator are testing properly then its the third of the 3 musketeers of the starting/charging system. I would go to the parts store and ask them if they can hook up the VAT45 to your starter and test the starter amps. Remember, voltage may be within spec but its the amps that can make all the difference. Your BG should be using 150amps so if its putting out less than that then it needs to be replaced. Rule of thumb on starters is more than 10% drop in amp usage and it needs to be replaced. Its amazing what you learn in college taking automotive specialty certification classes, lol.