Benchtesting is not an accurate means of alternator testing. It can test if the alternator is charging but it does not test its charging capacity.
At 12.5 v, the charge rate is too low. After starting it could be 12.5 volts but it should go up aftera while if the battery was initially weak. If it does not go up, either the alternator is bad or it is not turning as fast as it should be, meaning there could be something wrong with the drive belt or the harmonic damper.
Did you retest the charging after driving around, if it drops lower than 12.5 volts, you know there is something wrong with the alternator and rebuilt alternators are something I do not trust completely.
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Sunday, July 14th, 2013 AT 5:41 PM