Pontiac Repair: alternator voltage, head lamps, newer cars

Question
2002 Bonneville, 3.8 L motor.  I just replaced the coltage regulator in the alternator, bacause the voltmeter was bouncing between 16V and 10V with the motor running (of course). The voltmeter is now staying pretty rock steady at what appears to be 14.8V....only drops to about 14.6 at stoplights.  My question is: where should the voltmeter be with a properly operating alternator?  14.8V seems to be a little high what with the battery being a 12.5V battery. My owners manual says anywhere between the red shaded area is normal... but I'd be concerned if the voltmeter read only 10V (which lies between those red shaded areas).  I'd be more comfortable with a reading of 14.0V, which is right in the middle of the voltmeter,  and rising a little higher when going 25MPH or faster,  then dropping back to 14.0V as the battery charges up to it's full potential. To me that would be the ideal reading, but I know I may not know the actual proper reading with this particular car.  Each vehicle being slightly different.

Thank you, in advance, for your input.
Dwayne Hunt

Answer
Hi Dwayne:

14.8 is fine the newer cars run at higher voltages. if the volatge was indeed too hig it wouls start seting over volatge codes in the different modules and turn on the check engine light due to over charging so You fine. the higher the engine speed the higher the volatge can potentually go expecially weith no real loads on the system like the head lamps blower motor a/c or rear defroster heated seats etc.... No need to worry. Due to all the potential loads on that car that is why the volatge is higher as well.  one more thought is this if the volt meter wasn't that high prior to replaceing the regulator in the alternator chances are the regulator is not exactly for that car it may be a fits all and that could be the reason for the increase in volatge readings.