How do you check that it is putting out the amps that it should be ?

 

Well obvious signs will be dimming of headlights when you have a good system going, your battery light coming on at random times, or when the car is running, your voltage isn't very high. Could be a few.

 

Just pull it and take it to Advance Auto. They do free alternator tests. Takes about 2 minutes. If you need one, I've got a tested and working spare you can have for cheap

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by InvaderTrax &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> If you need one, I've got a tested and working spare you can have for cheap</TD></TR></TABLE>
I also have one for cheap, I've seen a way to test it yourself by turning your lights on while at 2k rpms....blah blah blah do this, do that, Just take it to an auto parts store like trax said.....easiest way

 

I ask this because it seems to me like idle drops way too much when I roll my windows up. It drops a good 200 rpms. I have a system which doesnt seem to bother idle too much. I have a flip screen and when I flip it out the instrument gauge dims or when I have the screen out and turn the lights on the flip screen dims. Also when I turn the lights on there is a very noticable change in idle. IDK if this is normal. I understand its drawing more current but it seems like it does it more on my car than others.