charging system help pls!

[b-rad]

Im a bit stumped on this one..
Short background story.

My alt died a few months back, and after towing it home, got replaced with a new Duralast unit, and worked perfectly. 3-4 weeks ago I popped a fuel level sender and starter related fuse, replaced them and worked fine. The other day, it was real slow to turn over and all the lights dim, but then would start and everything was fine. I did have to bump it once. Turned out the neg batt cable was loose, but had elec system checked at Kragen and everything showed ok, but batt was at 40% capacity. So tightened everything up, thinking it would recharge as i drove it. Well, i put about 400 fwy miles this past weekend, and its still slow/dimming to start. As of 5min ago, static batt voltage is 10.5v(lowish), charging voltage is 14.45v. I even checked voltage drop across neg cable(.2mv) and pos cable to fuse box(1.4mv).

So, other than the batt being a little low, everything seems normal, yet its not charging to full capacity. Possibly the battery is just done?

Im going to Yosemite this weekend, and i REALLY dont wanna get stuck out there!

[jogrefe]

have you replaced the battery recently? if not, then i would just replace it because a dying alt. will take a lot of life off of your battery. we usually try to sell them together to avoid comebacks.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Check ground wire from chassis to engine. Normally passenger side by engine mount. Most likely your problem that killed the last alternator, blew the fuses and is causing low charge on current situation

Also have battery tested by autoparts store, could be damaged from bad cassis ground to engine

[b-rad]

Hmm.. ok, i peered under the hood and didnt really see a ground strap. I assume i need to get underneath right? Ill roll it up on the ramps tmw and check everything i see..

Thanks John!

[tiFreak]

it's near the back of the engine, about 8 inches long, it gets kinda hidden by the frame rail so if you raise the car you should be able to see it

[Xenocide]

battery wear from a bad alternator can easily kill a battery I would just replace it anyways.

[b-rad]

Ill get underneath tomorrow and check it out. If i NEED a batt, i will do it, but i dont have money to throw away right now..